Does anyone have recommendations of what books are best for someone learning about cake decorating? I've been looking at Cake Walk, and Cakes to Dream On, but I'm not sure which one would be better.
To all my beginner students I tell them if they want to stay in cake decorating, the best book to begin with is Toba Garrett's "Professional Cake Decorating." It takes you, lesson by lesson, from basic piping to advanced techniques. It's a good foundation book for beginners. Cake Walk by Margaret Braun is good for inspiration, but she doesn't explain technique for someone learning (her techniques are advanced anyway.) But it is a beautiful book to look at. That's just my $25! 
I love all of debbie browns books and also lindy smith
i have a little book collection going on now. but i suggest to check out Micheals, acmoore or other crafts stores in your area. Sorry i forgot the name of a big one down there, i keep reading about it here.
I have bought a few books from there w/a 40-50% off, which is a great deal. Some books have been suggested in this forum. I have gotten: debbie brown, Lindy Smith and just recently the Whimsical Bakehouse.
I have Cakes to Dream On....it has some great cakes, but not very much explanation, no step by step directions with pictures. There is a page with the picture of the cake and a page with the explanation of how to do it, but not like a tutorial. HTH
A lot of it depends on your own style and what you will be inspired by. I would suggest going to a bookstore, library or even Amazon and browse. If you need instruction on techniques, some books are better than others. Colette Peter's books do offer instructions, although I do feel her books assume a certain degree of experience on your part. Is is however an awe inspireing cake decorator.
My favorite books are The Whimsical Bakehouse book, I love the colours and techniques they use. I also like Peggy Porchen's book because I really aspire to be able to do such neat and pretty cakes. Mitch Turner's Spectacular cakes has good instructions and a wide variety of techniques. Toba Garrett's Professional Cake decorating book is a great instruction manual, but I find it a bit dry
Does anyone know how the Essential Cake Decorating Guide is?
I have it (I swear I can open a cake decorating library with all my books! 
) The first section covers cake basics, like covering in marzipan, basic recipes, boards, etc. Then it covers sugar, needlework designs, etc. Next we're onto piping skills but they focus on royal icing and include runouts and extension work. There's a few sugar flowers in there and some cute modelling figures. Then the whole last half of the book is a gallery of cakes with how-to info. Hope that helps some!
Thanks!! I've looked through the Professional Cake Decorating before, but I will now definately give it a second look. What I really need to learn are some of the basics, like smooth fondant and I need to practice piping.
I think if you are just starting, the betty crocker book on cake decorating has some great techniques and ideas. Toba Garrettes book is great, too - very comrehensive.
I only have a few books. I have Lindy Smith and Debbie Brown. I love them both. They are step by step and have some great inspiration.
I love Toba Garrett's books. I also like Nick Lodge's Sugraft series of books. These type of books will actually show you how to do certain techniques. I also love Cakewalk as an inspiration book.
The Essential Guide to Cake Decorating, Toba Garret's Professional cake decorating and her well decorated cake are great for instructional and step by step. Very detailed and aimed at a learning read. I love Collette Peter's books, but you need some experience under your belt to really be able to follow her directions and execute the cakes well. Now that's just .02! I love Margaret Braun's Cake Walk and I own it, but it is more of an inspiration and idea book to me. Wonderful never the less. I really like Lindy Smith for ideas and somewhat easy to follow directions. Great ideas too. Nicholas Lodge books are very detailed and very good at explanations and how tos. I love his videos too for techniques and just to "see" someone do it helps me.
Does Books A Million have those cakes books or magazines?
Let me know Thanks. 
I don't know, but buy.com does. They have free shipping like amazon, and if you use Google checkout, you get $10 off.
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