Most of my cakes are from scratch. I have at least 150 just on baking. I am sure others have more. These are what I use: The Wedding Cake Books by Dede Wilson. Not the exact titles. She now has a candy book out. Spectacular Cakes, Mich Turner. The Cake Bible by Rose Levy Birenbaum. On the net I use Baking 911 and The Sugar Craft website. Dolores McCann from Sugarcraft has a wedding cake workbook. That is a little dated as far as style but the recipes and all the tips in there are good. From her site you can go to the AOL chats. They are fascinating. I subscribe To American Cake Dedorating and a few Mags from England. Anything from the Austrian Ladies Weekly having to do with baking are good also. Oh Yes, Kerry Vincent has a beautiful book out now. If you want some on baking and pastries let me know.
I just bought the Toba Garrett's The Well Decorated Cake. I think it has some really good tips and demos the different designs pretty good. I bought one of Colette Peter's books but was disappointed in it so I took it back. The cost for one of her books was $35.00 where the Toba Garrett book was $15.00 for paperback.
I would definetely recommend the Cake Mix Doctor cookbook for recipes. The recipes are very easy to follow.
I have Toba Garretts' book as well as 4 of Collette Peters' books. My favorite of hers is "The Art of Cake Decorating. I also have 3 of the Cake Mix Doctor books which have fab recipes. And " The Essential Guide to Cake Decorating" by Anne Price. Oh and " The Whimsical Bakehouse". Not to mention countless books by Wilton. I'd have to say my favorite is "The Whimsical Bakehouse"
Another thought is Scott Clark Woolley's Cakes By Design book or DVD. The book has recipes and unbelievable cake designs. I've taken several courses with him and I've never been disappointed. 
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