Book Review: The Cake Mix Doctor Returns by Anne Byrn

Book Description:

What could be better than a phenomenon? The return of a phenomenon. Ten years ago Anne Byrn's The Cake Mix Doctor began its extraordinary run as one of the most popular baking books of all time. Now Anne Byrn is back with the all-new Cake Mix Doctor Returns! From the beloved author who showed home bakers how adding a touch of sweet butter or a dusting of cocoa powder, a dollop of vanilla yogurt or flurry of grated lemon zest could transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. Here are 160 brand-new recipes—that’s right, 160 amazing cake mix recipes—for luscious layer cakes, sheet cakes, brownies, bars, cookies, and more.

And the book is needed more than ever. Today 90 percent of home cooks use prepackaged mixes, while the economy is creating a perfect excuse to let them eat cake—cake equals happiness. And what cakes! 40 layer cakes, from Tiramisu Cake to The Best Red Velvet Cake, Strawberry Refrigerator Cake to Chocolate Swirled Cannoli Cake. 35 sheet cakes. 38 bundt and pound cakes. 16 cupcakes and muffins, plus the cult classic Whoopie Pie. And brownies, bars, and cookies, including Spice Drop Cookies, Angel Food Macaroons, and Chocolate Espresso Biscotti. There's even a wedding cake, a frequent request from the author's passionate online community.

The Cake Mix Doctor is back—just say ahhhhh!

My thoughts:
I have been a fan of The Cake Mix Doctor since I discovered her a couple of years ago and own many of her cookbooks.  I was excited to see The Cake Mix Doctor Returns!: With 160 All-New Recipes.
There are several things I like about her books (beside the wonderful recipes). The first is that she included a picture of every recipe in the front of the book. Usually, I get stuck right there trying to decide which one looks the best and that I need to make. The second is her section of how to use the book. I have learned sooooo much from these sections of her books. There is so much information about cake mixes, chocolate, the best cake pans, cream cheese and so much more. I do want to add here if you are a genius in the kitchen you probably know everything included here, but for the cooking illiterate like myself, I found this to be a treasure trove of information! The third is all the little hints that are interspersed throughout the book. Hints include such topics as substitutions, greasing your pans, storing your cakes, dressing up your cakes, cupcake baking tips and many more.

If you never have looked at one of the Cake Mix Doctor's cookbooks, I highly recommend you give one a glance. You can start with The Cake Mix Doctor Returns!: With 160 All-New Recipes or the one I rely on the most,  Chocolate from the Cake Mix Doctor.