Sweet Celebrations: Our Favorite Cupcake Recipes, Memories, and Decorating Secrets That Add Sparkle to Any Occasion

Sisters, owners of Georgetown Cupcake, stars of TLC’s DC Cupcake, and authors, Berman and LaMontagne hit the cookbook pages again (their previous title is The Cupcake Diaries), presenting a selection of their bakery’s famed cupcake recipes as well as essays about their childhood, Greek heritage, and family, and rites of passage, including their weddings. Writings are tied to recipes, and an upbeat, friendly tone permeates the title. Chapters are broken down into “Life Celebrations,” “Holidays,” “Everyday Parties,” “Outdoor Get-Togethers,” and “DC Cupcakes’ Biggest Bashes, making readers privy to behind-the-scenes info on the TV show. Entertaining tips—such as how to use a backward time line to plan for a holiday meal and how to set a proper table are interspersed, as well as Sister’s Secret tip boxes, covering everything from setting up a happy birthday cupcake bar to using edible flowers. Recipes include a range of special occasion cupcakes—Tie-Dye Monster cupcakes for Halloween, and cotton candy cupcakes topped with cotton candy-stuffed fondant pillows for sleepovers—other sweets, such as Georgetown cupcake chocolate peppermint bark and Katherine’s Passover macaroons, as well as savory tea sandwiches (cucumber and cream cheese). The sisters also pay homage to their Greek background with recipes for Tiganites (sweet pancake medallions), Greek Vasilopita (New Year’s cake), and “Babee’s Greek Walnut Spice Cupcakes,” a recipe from their grandmother. (Dec.)