Every once in a while a book comes along that I absolutely fall in love with. Dessert Designer: Creations You Can Make and Eat! is one of those books. I’m not the most creative person around. That title goes to my mom and blogging partner, Laura. What I can do is follow directions, so a book like Dessert Designer is exactly what I need. Inside the book are 51 fun creations, many of which are easy enough for kids or people like me. Each project includes big beautiful images and step by step instructions. Dessert Designer focuses on the best part of baking — decorating!
Instantly I fell in love with the Candy Shake project. I’ve been eating holiday M&M’s like they are going out of style and knew right away they could be used for this adorable candy treat. Now is the perfect time to make this, because you probably still have some candy cane sticks from Christmas stashed away. These candy shakes would be adorable as party place cards. I also think the colors make it perfect for a Valentine’s Day treat.
Here’s what you need to make the Candy Shake:
pink, white, and brown candies
cotton candy
1 red candy
dessert cups
One of the first couple of pages includes a Decorator’s Toolbox, basically everything you need to complete these projects and more. I noticed a few things that I don’t currently have in my arsenal and will be sure to pick them up. The ideas in this book are simply put… genius. The author, Dana Meachen Rau, has magically transformed everyday foods and ingredients into edible works of art. Some of my favorites include the ‘Glitzy Armadillo’ cupcakes and ‘Spacey Treats’ cookie pops.
I highly recommend this book for both experienced and novice food designers. This book takes dessert decorating to the MAX! I know you’re going to love it. Dessert Designer by Dana Meachen Rau will be available to purchase on February 1, 2012. You can pre-order a copy of Dessert Designer online from Capstone Young Readers for just $12.95.
Did someone mention a giveaway?
One lucky About A Mom reader will win the fabulous prize package pictured above, including: a copy of Dessert Designer, six colorful nesting bowls, and a spatula! Giveaway is open to U.S. and Canada, and ends on February 2, 2013 at 11:59pm EST. Good luck!
This giveaway has ended.
* About a Mom received a copy Dessert Designer to review.
6 Days Left 
6 Days Left
Twitter: veryforgetful
says:
Like to bake colorful cupcakes with buttercream frosting
I LOVE baking cupcakes! I bring them to every occasion
Love to bake cakes!
I like to bake Cookies.
Twitter: hmayrn
says:
I love to make fudge but I don’t do it very often so it’s a real treat. I need to find some more fun stuff to make and enjoy (and give away)!
cream cheese brownies!!!!
Twitter: ciaomjc
says:
It is an old recipe handed down. Maple Nut Chiffon cake with maple buttercream frosting.
Twitter: ssgwkramer
says:
My favorite dessert to make is Tropical Triffle.
I love to make cheesecakes…and brownies!
I love to bake cakes – Red velet is our fav
Brownies are what I love to make! I love the dark chocolate ones with lots of nuts!
Twitter: mkw70
says:
Love to bake cupcakes!
Meghan recently posted..Pinterest Slow Cooker Challenge…Accepted!
I love making strawberry shortcake!
Twitter: malibugypsy
says:
I love to make and decorate cut-out cookies during holidays
Last weekend I baked a triple chocolate cheesecake and I have to say it’s now one of my favorites!
That sounds wonderful, Carrie!
Twitter: GraceBonilla1
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When my dad was alive he used to make a cherry cheesecake using a yellow cake mix for the crust & it has become my favorite dessert to make.
Twitter: cathyincanada
says:
Not a huge fan of baking so anything easy and mostly non-measuring idiot-proof.
Catherine K ( recently posted..Penguin Books delivers!
I LOVE APPLE CRUMBLE.
cookies are my favourite!
I love to make ( and eat) my Pistachio torte.
Twitter: PKlydra
says:
I love baking period! I make a lot of birthday cakes for people.
Thanks for the chance.
Twitter: ArmyWifeNMomma
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Peach cobbler a la mode!
Chelle Thompson recently posted..1 Year Supply of Mean Green Products Giveaway!
I like baking and decorating sugar cookies.
Twitter: hollowsins
says:
I love love love making butterfinger cake
hollowsins recently posted..Tasty Tips from Hamburger Helper
Red Velvet Cake Cookies
Twitter: bokhyun
says:
love making lemon bars!
Twitter: tarynsweeps
says:
My favorite is taffy apple pizza!
i like to make chocolate chip cookies
I love to decorate cakes, but I love to bake chocolate chip cookie bars (or maybe it’s just because I like to sneak the batter!)
Leila recently posted..January 2013 Instagram Photo A Day: Day 19
My favorite thing to bake is chocolate cheesecake cupcakes!
I love baking cupcakes and 2 (or 3) bite brownies. Thanks!
hstorm799{at}gmail{dot}com
Twitter: croper30
says:
I love making cookies, cupcakes, brownies, and cakes all from scratch!
Twitter: freebiebin
says:
I like baking chocolate lava cake!
Cupcakes or brownies!
Twitter: debrahall1961
says:
I like baking cakes and breads that’s a awesome book
i love making brownies and putting either a candy bar broken up in there or some other chocolate so that when you take a bite, you get an extra bit of goodness
my fave dessert is homemade banana pudding
I love making and eating Banana Bread!
Twitter: Ola_Jaggers
says:
I love brownies and german chocolate cake.
Thanks for the chance to win!!!
~Ola
Twitter: LetsStartSavinN
says:
I love to bake just about anything but bake cookies and brownies the most.
Kelli Guilbeau recently posted..BOGO-Free Entenmann’s Single at Quick Chek
I love making both sweet & savory breads
I love making all types of fudge.
My favorite thing to bake is cakes!
I love to bake banana bread because it’s so moist and yummy!
Facebook Name: Leslie Galloway (www.facebook.com/GallowayLeslie)
I like to bake chocolate chip muffins. Thanks.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com
I love to bake cream burlee.
love to bake cupcakes with the kids and decorate
I love to make and decorate Mad Hatter cakes.
i like to bake cakes
Twitter: 7onashoestring
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Our favorite recipe is probably an Italian Tiramisu we enjoy making.
Staci recently posted..Dip Recipes for a Super Bowl Party #SB47
Twitter: zekthezookeeper
says:
I like to bake cupcakes and cookies
I will bake anything. I like to try new cake recipes with different flavored frosting.
i love making cheesecakes…made a candycane peppermint one at christmas that was delicious!
choclate chip, peanut butter oatmeal cookies
Twitter: sbshortie
says:
I love to make homemade brownies and lemon bread
Becca recently posted..Recipe: Apple Sour Cream Pie
Twitter: smc_dreams
says:
I love banana pudding
cheesecake—– Pauline aka Paol Trenny ….. emscout9 at Hotmail dot com
Twitter: qtksjkmommy
says:
i like baking cookies and brownies
cake and cupcakes because its fun decorating them
Twitter: sibabe64
says:
strawberry cheesecake
sibabe64 at ptd dot net
I love to bake snickerdoodle bread and any kind of cookie!
Twitter: heymissvirginia
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My favorite thing to bake is peanut butter pie and I also love to make cinnamon rolls.
Twitter: ginahull2
says:
Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.
brownies are always fun to bake!
I love to bake red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting!
I like to make whoopie pies
I love to make chocolate banana bread.
I love to bake cookies and brownies!
I like to bake brownies. I sometimes swirl in peanut butter….or crushed oreos.
Thanks!
Twitter: MOOOONDOG
says:
I LIKE BAKING CAKES OR BROWNIES OF DIFFERENT TYPES
RANDY FULGHAM recently posted..http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&pubid=eprizeaddthis
I love baking cupcakes
I love to bake cakes for my family. Any kind, really.
Adorable, fun items. My daughter would love.
My favorite dessert is made from scratch brownies.
cupcakes with my daughter, and I love to make banana split cake for family and friends
I love to bake cut-out sugar cookies. we love to decortate them. thanks
Pumpkin rolls are my favorite
I love to make chocolate cake with homemade icing.
Twitter: JoniCaraway
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I love baking lemon cake with lemon icing.
Twitter: MsCarolsueA
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Tiramisu is my favorite dessert to make
Twitter: QueenB_Tammy
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I love baking (and eating) Cupcakes!
Twitter: caroldenny4
says:
I make a great carrot cake.
Homemade Carrot Cake
lemon pie is my favorite and I love to make cherry cheesecake with eaglebrand
I love to make chocolate pie.
I’m pretty good at making cheesecake. If I have a big party to go to that’s what I bring.
Twitter: just2sisters2
says:
I am not big on baking, I like desserts like your candy shake, easy but beautiful!
Michele Ertter Brosius recently posted..Daily Coupon Rewind!
i love to bake cakes, cupcakes, muffins and cookies with my kids !
I love love love to bake! I am a 21 year old single mom who’s trying to follow her dream of owning a bakery. So right now I’m trying tons of different recipes. A favorite right now are my cowboy cookies. They don’t last long at all in my moms house (where I do all my baking). If I even leave the dough unattended for too long I won’t have any left for cookies.
Twitter: mgoss123
says:
My favorite dessert to make is apple pie.
Twitter: cljessa
says:
i love to make banana bread
I enjoy baking pies, especially how awesome my kitchen smells for the entire day.
I love making cakepops!
I love making brownies! They are so yummy
I love cheesecake!