THis is a collection of over 200 recipes many of which are old favourites, traditional recipes but with new slants, emphasizing quicker finishes and easy decoration, for cakes that have style and quality. "Mary Berry's Ultimate Cake Book" is a guide for both the beginner and the experienced cook. In addition to basic methods outlined in the main introduction, Berry explains where extra care is needed and gives advice on choosing the best ingredients and equipment and storing cakes. A question-and-answer section to clarify any baking myths has been included, as has information on what to do to retrieve possible disasters. There's a special chapter on chocolate cakes, including Wicked Chocolate Brownies and Squidgy Chocolate Cake. Meringues, creamy cheesecakes and easy-to-make tray bakes (where the cake is cooked, cooled and iced in one tin) are also included. Special occasions and social functions are catered for and there are plenty of inexpensive ideas for the year-round requests to contribute to fetes and bazaars.