Cake can be made up to three months ahead. Note

With only five ingredients, all purchased easily from a supermarket, this sophisticated version of the classic bacon and egg pie is the perfect fuss-free midweek dinner. Note

Try this cake with other fillings such as apple or pear. The cake is best made on the day of serving. Note

equipment two deep 15cm (6-inch) round cake pans 20cm (8-inch) round prepared cake board (page 110) or cake stand 2 piping bags fitted with small plain tube and small fluted tube Mud cake can be made two days ahead; store in an airtight container. Assemble and decorate up to six hours ahead of the party. […]

Delicious roast chicken, just like your grandmother used to make it.

It is important to slice pears as thinly as possible; if the slices are too thick, the cake will sink in the centre. Note

Remember this rockin' cake from The Australian Women's Weekly's famous 'Children's Birthday Cake Book' cookbook? It's sure to be a favourite among the kids, even after all these years.

To decorate allow for another 200 grams (6½ ounces) fresh raspberries Note

Use your favourite mountain bread variety or pita (lebanese) bread for this recipe. Note

These maple-glazed vegetables are the perfect accompaniment to any roast dinner.

If the chocolate topping is too firm to cut, stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. This is very easy to make but impressive. It can also be served as a dessert with vanilla ice-cream. Note

Speculaas are a Dutch Christmas biscuit traditionally made in wooden moulds. If you have them, dust with cornflour or flour; press dough mixture into moulds then draw a knife across the surface to scrape off excess. Turn mould over and slap hard to loosen biscuits onto oven trays. Dust mould with flour between each biscuit. […]

50cm-square prepared cake board. Most children love lamingtons. We’ve used a lot of them to make this spectacular pyramid ­ just watch it be devoured. Don’t forget a desert-sand coloured background. For an Egyptian-themed party have the guests come in fancy dress. Note

The crumbles can be made in individual dishes and frozen, before baking, for up to 2 months. Note

This slice can keep for 3 days. Note

EQUIPMENT Deep 22cm (9-inch) square cake pan 35cm (14-inch) square cake board DECORATIONS 500g ready-made white icing pure icing (confectioners’) sugar, for dusting 2 black licorice straps chess pieces Chess has long been considered the sport of kings and aristocrats. If you have a grand master in the making, this is the cake that will […]

Place pretzels in a zip-lock plastic bag; crush roughly with a rolling pin. Combine pretzels with butter and cheeses in a medium bowl. You can make the candied bacon a day ahead; store, covered, in the refrigerator. Note

equipment two deep 18cm-round cake pans 20cm-round covered cake board (page 110) decorations 24 ALLEN’S Strawberries & Cream 6 caramel ALLEN’S Milk Bottle Mania 12 ALLEN’S JAFFAS pink edible glitter dust 1.6 metres ribbon, approximately paper scrapbooking flowers Note

You need one small overripe banana (130g) for the amount of mashed banana used in this recipe. Whoopie pies are best eaten the day they are made. Note

Gluten-free bread mixes are available in plain and wholegrain, we used plain in this recipe. Note

This cake is best eaten on the day it is made. It is important not to over beat this cake mixture, or the sour cream will slip to the base of the pan. Note

You need two large (460g) overripe bananas to get the amount of mashed banana. If you don’t have a candy thermometer, boil the syrup until it’s thick with heavy bubbles. Remove from heat, let bubbles subside, then reassess the thickness of the syrup. Note

This cake will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days, in the fridge for 1 week, or in the freezer for 2 months. Note

Use regular beef mince, not lean, for a nice, juicy patty. Note

Meat filling can be prepared a day ahead. Note

This cake does not actually contain the sweet wine called Madeira. Its name is derived from the fact that it used to be served with a small glass of Madeira for afternoon or high­ tea in Victorian England. Note

You can use any type of berry you like in the compote. Note

It is fine to use just one 300ml carton of cream for this recipe. Note

This king of the jungle cake will be a hit with young explorers at a jungle-themed safari. If the weather is wet or humid, chop the Violet Crumble bars and position them on the cake just before the party, as the damp air will make them sticky. You’ll have about 1 cup of cake mixture […]

Packaged cupcakes usually come iced, however, you can ice over the top with the frosting or remove the icing. Place the muffins in matching paper cases, if you like. Note

Pancetta, an Italian unsmoked bacon, can be used, sliced or chopped, as an ingredient in recipes rather than eaten on its own. It’s also great used as a pizza topping. Note

You need to buy half a large barbecued chicken (450g) to get the amount of shredded meat required for this recipe. Note

Remember to remove the skewers from the drawbridge before cutting the cake. Note

Soft fresh goat cheese can be substituted for fetta, if desired. Note

Recipe can be made 1 day ahead and refrigerated, covered. Casseroles and bakes enhance the flavour of your favourite vegetables in these nutritious, hearty meals including potato and cauliflower gratin and garlic, vegetable and rice casserole. Note

Croutons can be prepared a day ahead. Keep in an airtight container. Prawns can be shelled several hours ahead and kept covered in refrigerator. Prepare salad as required. Note

Peppermint essence is an extract of distilled peppermint leaves Note

You will need about 3 punnets of raspberries for this recipe. Note

Stollen is delicious toasted lightly under a griller (broiler); serve it buttered. Bread flour is a strong flour, meaning that it has a relatively high gluten (protein) content; this causes the bread to rise, giving it shape and structure. It is available from most supermarkets. Note

Christmas cutters are available from all good kitchenware shops or cake decorating shops. Note

You can use ready-made air-popped popcorn instead of making your own; you will need about 8 cups. While this looks cute enough for a baby’s first birthday, it’s best not to use the popcorn ­instead, pipe some of the frosting over the sheep to make its woolly coat. Note

Delicious little French confectioneries that literally mean 'small oven'.

You need about 2 large trimmed rhubarb stems for this recipe. Muffins can be served warm or at room temperature. Note

Tender madeleine biscuits flavoured with vanilla and gentle dipped in a sweet rosewater glaze.

Spinach, capsicum and feta pizza

This beautifully sweet dish combines fluffy brioche, creamy mascarpone cheese and fresh mixed berries to create this indulgent breakfast dish, perfect for the weekend!

Treat your little princess to the sweetest birthday cake around this year.

Use small piping bags with or without small plain tubes, or use strong plastic bags ­ snip a tiny corner from the bag for easy piping. Prepared cake boards are available from cake decorating and craft stores. You will need one 20cm (8-inch) round board for this cake. The cake can be baked two days […]

The shimmer on the cake and the crystals on the stand capture the light, giving this stunning cake an eye-catching sparkle. The cake stand needs to have a flat base so it can be supported by the skewers in the middle tier. If the base of the stand is not flat, cut a piece of […]

You will need about 12 oranges for this recipe. Gelatine leaves are available from delicatessens and some supermarkets and have a neutral taste and are easier to dissolve than powdered gelatine. If using powdered gelatine, use 2 tablespoons; scatter over warm sugar and juice mixture; stir until dissolved. Note

To test if turkey is cooked, insert a skewer sideways into the thickest part of the thigh then remove and press flesh to release the juices. If the juice runs clear, the turkey is cooked. Alternatively, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, without touching bone; it should reach 90°C. This […]

Allen’s Teeth and Milk Bottles can be found in packets of Allen’s Teeth `n’ Stuff and Allen’s Retro Party Mix. Note

These crispy Moroccan-style sweet potato fries are the perfect side dish.

Use a gluten-free packet cake mix for this recipe, if you like. Just make sure the ingredients for the butter cream and the decorations are also gluten-free. Number 4 cake pans can be hired from cake decorating suppliers. Note

We used blue and green Life Savers, mini M&M’s, Skittles and baby jelly beans, but you can use any lollies you like. Note

Each of the topping recipes here makes enough to cover four mini pizza bases. You can buy prepared pizza bases from the supermarket, they can be found in the refrigerated, freezer or bakery sections. Note

It’s a good idea to turn filo triangles halfway through cooking. Use spray oil in place of butter, if preferred. Note

Violet Crumbles can be substituted with Crunchie bars or any other chocolate-coated honeycomb. Note

Warning, warning… the kids will be back for more of this cute robot cake. Get your little robotics engineer to help with the decorating. Note

The cake mix is enough to make 12 patty cakes, so decorate the other six patty cakes with your own favourite critters & crawlers. Note

To freeze; complete recipe to the end of step 2. Place empanadas, in a single layer, on a bakingpaper-lined baking tray. Freeze for 2 to 3 hours or until firm. Transfer to a large snap-lock bag. Expel any excess air. Label, date and freeze for up to one month. Continue from step 3, cooking time […]