Mary Berry (ultimate cake book) - Are the recipes good?

[dietstartstomorrow]

I got it for christmas, and not sure what to make first. It all looks so good!

does it have the gingerbread cake one in? If so that is absolutely gorgeous and keeps for ages.

the recipes of hers I have made are fab and always come out brilliantly even with 4yo ds 'helping' and I'm not great at making cakes (them and pastry are my downfall when it comes to cooking).

yes there is a gingerbread traybake

Lemon drizzle cake is good - of it isn't MN heresy to say it...

I have that book and another cake one of hers, both brilliant. Recipes work every time.

have made the traybakes - fab

lemon drizzle topping on gingerbread cake is to die for (and I'm not a big cake person).

Mary Berry is definately the queen when it comes to cakes and deservedly so.

I've not even heard of her before, but this does look even better than Nigella's domestic goddess book.

Agree with TheArmadillo on MB being the queen of cakes.

so... today I am making the shortbread tarts. Looking good so far.

Mary Berry was the original Delia... I have one of her books, traditional and reliable. Given that so many people don't "do" traditional these day, I've found that people find the old-fashioned favourites a real treat.

I spent a good hour last night drooling over the recipes. There is loads in it I am going to make. Luckily I am a CM, so have lots of children to help eat it up!

so "diet starts tomorrow" will be a permanent state of mind til you've tried out all the recipes then!!! Enjoy.

• you got it!