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I love this time of year, but it does cause me some stress. I always make a proper birthday cake for MGG’s birthday, and have worked my way through a few cake decorating books. I’m no expert, whatsoever, but prepared to give it a go. So these five are a combination of ones I’ve used so far, and ones I always look at and think, maybe, one day!

1. No Time Party Cakes – I started with this one, loved the title, thought this would be the book for me. I worked through a few, but by the time I got to the fairy castle (and what little girl isn’t going to ask for this at some point) I was beginning to think I had misunderstood the title. I think I came to the conclusion on quite a few it meant no time to do anything else! That said, the designs are great for kids, and if you don’t get too ambitious a good source.

An alternative to the caterpillar cake

2. 50 Easy Party Cakes – this is the one I’m working from today, in an attempt to replicate the cover cake, and I did a cake for someone else from here too. There is a great variety of cakes, and actually these have not been too bad at all. I really love the kitten and ball of wool, just waiting for a request for this one!

3. Celebrate With A Cake: A Step by Step Guide to Creating 15 Memorable Cakes - Dr T bought me this one, he obviously has greater faith in my abilities than I have in my own! It’s the next level up and I aspire to some of these, they are truly beautiful. Thankfully, I’d already done the castle before I got this book, and before MGG had seen it, as the one in this book is truly spectacular.

4. Romantic Cakes by Peggy Porschen – it feels like Peggy is the pinnacle of fabulous, pretty, romantic cake decorating, and these are really the sorts of cakes I fantasise about turning out for an afternoon tea on a sunny lawn. This book moves you from every romantic occasion, from Valentine’s Day through to full on wedding cakes, which I think is beyond where I’ll end up, but I like looking at the pictures and dreaming. If you are more competent, then I would guess either this book is already in your possession, or most definitely on a wish list somewhere! Drop more hints!

5. Seriously Naughty Cakes by Debbie Brown - just to show cakes are not just for kids, or weddings, these are saucy additions to the cake decorator’s art! From mooning out of cars through to cleavages to make Jordan jealous and topless sunbathing, this really will give you some interesting ideas. To be honest, I would think having a roly-poly stripagram cake may be better than the real thing turning up! Not one to leave around for the kiddies to pick up though. Not till they turn 18 maybe!

I get a bit better each year, and as I only pretty much practice once a year then it’s no surprise I’m not making really quick progress on improving! I will keep you posted on how the stable comes along. But if I post pictures of a train cake, you have your answer!