10 Best Cake Decorating Books 2025 in the United States

The Wilton Cake Decorating Course 3 is a solid choice for those interested in learning how to create tiered cakes with fondant and detailed decorations. It is designed for users who have some basic cake-decorating experience and want to advance their skills, particularly in creating smooth fondant surfaces, elegant flowers, and intricate accents like embroidery and lace. The book offers step-by-step guidance that is easy to follow, making it suitable for self-study. With 48 pages, it provides a focused, manageable amount of content rather than overwhelming the reader.

The variety of techniques covered allows for a good mix of classic and decorative skills, especially useful if you want to impress with tiered cakes and refined borders. Wilton is a well-known brand in cake decorating, which adds credibility to the instructions and techniques presented. The book's visual appeal is somewhat limited due to its softcover format and relatively few pages, so it may not be as richly illustrated or inspiring as larger, more photo-heavy books.

If you’re aiming to build confidence in working with fondant and tiered cakes specifically, this book is a practical and approachable resource. However, if you're after a broader range of cake decorating styles or more detailed photography, you might want to explore additional titles.

'The Perfect Cake: Your Ultimate Guide to Classic, Modern, and Whimsical Cakes' could be a wonderful addition to your kitchen if you're looking to elevate your cake-decorating skills. This book is suitable for a wide range of skill levels, offering something for both beginners and more experienced decorators. With its comprehensive coverage of techniques, from basic to advanced, you'll find step-by-step instructions that make even complex designs manageable.

The book's design variety is impressive, featuring classic, modern, and whimsical cakes that can fit various occasions and preferences. One of the highlights is the author expertise, coming from America's Test Kitchen, known for their reliable and thoroughly tested recipes. This ensures you're getting tried-and-true methods that work. Additionally, the book is visually appealing, with high-quality illustrations and photographs that inspire and guide you through the decorating process.

On the downside, at 448 pages and weighing 3.4 pounds, it's quite a hefty book, which might be cumbersome for some users. Also, given its in-depth content and hardcover format, it might be on the pricier side compared to lighter, more casual cake-decorating guides. However, if you are serious about improving your cake-decorating skills and want a reliable, well-rounded resource, 'The Perfect Cake' is a strong contender.

The Wilton Decorating Cakes Book by The Wilton School is a comprehensive guide for those interested in cake decorating, suitable for various skill levels. It covers 103 different techniques, including borders, flowers, and fondant, which makes it a rich resource for learning. This book stands out with its step-by-step instructions and a variety of 30 exciting cake designs, catering to both beginners and more experienced decorators.

The inclusion of helpful recipes, a tip chart, serving and cutting charts, and a glossary of terms adds further value, making it a thorough reference guide. The product guide explaining the necessary equipment and ingredients is particularly useful for those new to cake decorating. Authored by the esteemed Wilton School, the book comes with a high level of expertise and credibility in the field.

Visually, the book is appealing, with over 400 photographs providing clear guidance and inspiration. Some might find the book's age (published in 1999) a slight drawback as more contemporary designs and techniques might be missing. Additionally, its softcover format might not be as durable for frequent use. Despite these minor cons, it remains a solid choice for anyone looking to improve their cake decorating skills.