By Martha Stewart Living (Clarkson Potter Publishers, 351 pp.)
Laden with gorgeous photos, and dozens of techniques, is a must-have for amateur pastry chefs. With chapters for loaves, bundts and tubes, coffee cakes, single layer cakes, cheesecakes, icebox cakes, cakes with fruit, and layer cakes, nothing is overlooked. A helpful resource section in the back offers tips on ingredients, equipment, and techniques like leveling, frosting, and decorating.