I received a $100 gift card to Amazon for my b-day yesterday, and it's burning a whole in my pocket! I want to spend it on some books.

What do you guys consider the "must have" cookie decorating books?

creative cookies by toba garrett
fun cookie bouquets by autumn carpenter

I highly second kneadacookie's suggestions. Toba's book is the cookie decorating bible IMHO. Anything by Autumn Carpenter is a must. Every time I order from CK I ask in the comments section for her to do a Christmas (or holidays) cookie book.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1402722524/?tag=cakecentral-20

I really like this one, too:
Cookie Craft: From Baking to Luster Dust, Designs and Techniques for Creative Cookie Occasions by Valerie Peterson
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1580176941/?tag=cakecentral-20

One more worth mentioning:
Cookie Sensations: Creative Designs for Every Occasion by Meaghan Mountford
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1401602886/?tag=cakecentral-20



Several people like The Flour Pot Cookie Book by Margie Greenberg. I found it a little disappointing. It's good for ideas, but lacks in recipes. (Sugar cookie and RI only, I think) "Bake your cookie and cover with fondant" is pretty much all the decorating instruction they give. You can go to their website and look at their cookies for free. I'd be more impressed if they'd given a recipe for fondant or candy clay. Just my opinion. Cute ideas, but they're on the website. I would've preferred to pay paperback price. See if your library has it before you spend $ on it. They have a Christmas book coming out.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0762425954/?tag=cakecentral-20
http://www.flourpotcookies.com/default.asp

Happy belated birthday. We share the same one!

I totally agree with what has already been listed.

I picked up in the sale bin at Barnes and Nobe 2 good ones
Beautiful Cakes and Irrestible Cakes and Cookies by Peggy Porschen.

I really like it so far, nice photos and beautiful cookies. They look very doable.

I also got "WackyCakes&Kooky Cookies"by Gerhard Jenne. It's got some interesting recipes

I like Toba's but I love Peggy's! That's just me though. Easy to find here... links to Peggy's on Amazon;

http://www.sweetopia.net/?p=244

Enjoy and Happy Belated Birthday to you!!!

Happy Birthday to you!! That gift card would be burning in my pocket too!

Thanks for starting this thread. I'm getting more and more into decorating cookies and really have no idea where to start with the books. I hate to buy a book and then have it turn out to be something that isn't going to help me. But it sounds like there are several on there that can go on my birthday list (next month).

Ladies,
Thanks for all the helpful info!!

I LOVE "Bake Me I'm Yours...Cookie" by Lindy Smith because all the cookies are covered with fondant, not royal...easier in my opinion.

She even sells the cutters she used on her site.
You can see them and examples of the finished cookies here:

http://www.lindyscakes.co.uk/OnlineShop-LindysCookieCutters.htm

I really want to make the flip-flops for my niece's pool party themed birthday in June.

Glad you found the Peggy Porschen book!

The kooky cakes and cookies is pretty good also. It's got some nice recipes I want to try.