Use Skittles as an alternative to the mini M&M’s. Store the cakes in an airtight container in a cool darkplace. Refrigerating the cakes will cause the colour on the M&M’s to run. Note

An exquisite Asian-style duck dish with citrus peaches and duck fat potatoes.

Pies will keep refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 days. They can be frozen uncooked or cooked. Uncooked pies can be baked from frozen. Thaw pies before re-heating. Note

Crispy and delicious spinach and feta triangles for sharing with family and friends.

An Italian sponge cake named after the city of Genoa that is impressively light, airy and delicious.

You will need a 30 x 49cm cake board prepared earlier for the cake to rest on. Note

This beautiful chef's hat cake is perfect for those who love to cook, or are aspiring chefs.

Take care not to over-mix the batter. 16 strokes is usually enough to achieve the rough appearance and texture of muffins. Note

You need to buy half a small barbecued chicken for this recipe. Note

We used large (25cm diameter) packaged pizza bases for this recipe. Be sure to use prepared horseradish rather than horseradish cream, the latter is a commercially prepared creamy paste made from horseradish, vinegar, oil and sugar. Prepared horseradish is preserved grated horseradish root. Note

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

A colourful summery salad with smoked chicken and avocado from Australian Women's Weekly.

Ready made soft icing can be bought from any local supermarkets. We painted the horses with non-toxic paint. The cardboard cylinder must be strong, we used the inside of a baking paper roll. Note

A cracking kids' party wouldn't be complete without a cake to match. Combining everyone's favourite Coco Pops and Mars Bars, this cake from The Australian Women's Weekly's Best-Ever Kids Cakes cookbook will be snapped up in no time!

Ahoy there! Let the birthday child head for the high seas with this pirate creation.

Either maple syrup or maple-flavoured syrup can be used in this recipe. Note

Was this one a childhood favourite? From the Australian Women's Weekly's famous 'Children's Birthday Cake Book' cookbook, decorating ol' Ginger Neville is sure to bring back fond memories.

You need about 2 large overripe bananas (460g) to get the required amount of mashed banana. Note

This is an easy cake to make and decorat­ use any cake you like­ we prefer a white chocolate mud or coconut cake. Whichever type you choose, the cake will be heavy to move and lift, so get someone to help. Equipment 45cm (18-inch) round wooden cake board 25cm (10-inch) round wooden cake board 20cm […]

You need about 2 large carrots for this recipe. This cake can be made 2 weeks ahead and refrigerated. Note

Place sultanas in large colander; wash under running water until water runs clear and sultanas are plump; drain well (step 3). Remove rind from oranges with a zester (glacé orange rind). Note

Showcase those gorgeous summer berries with this fresh and creamy cheesecake.

Make one packet of cake mix at a time. Bake two trays of cakes together and, while they’re baking, put the cake mixture into the next two trays. For the best effect, match the paper cases to the colours of the frosting and jelly crystals. Note

Any whole white fish would be fine to use in this recipe. Ask the fishmonger to clean and scale the fish for you. Use herbs such as tarragon, chervil, lemon thyme, dill and chives. Note

Fresh samosas are sold in Indian food shops and delicatessens; frozen samosas can be found in most supermarkets. Note

Equipment 40cm (16-inch) square wooden cake board 25cm (10-inch) square wooden cake board 20cm (8-inch) square wooden cake board 15cm (6-inch) square wooden cake board 10cm (4-inch) square wooden cake board smoothing tools 16 wooden skewers 3 paper piping bags lace patterns If you prefer, draw patterns of your own to suit the purpose of […]

This adorable birthday cake is perfect for kids who love animals or spending time in the water.

To blind bake, line pastry case with a sheet of baking paper, two-thirds fill with raw rice, bake at 200°C (180°C fan forced) for 10 minutes, then remove paper and rice and return pastry case to oven for a further 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Note

A rich and delicious sausage and cannellini bean bake from Australian Women's Weekly.

Helpful hint Pizza cheese is a commercial blend of processed grated mozzarella, parmesan and cheddar cheeses. Use plain cheddar cheese if you like, or use a tasty or mature cheddar for extra bite. Note

You will need some lace, a doily or a stencil for decorating these cakes. Note

Ask the butcher to score the pork skin for you. Note

Cut a small round from the top of each cake; cut round in half to make two wings (step 7). Note

Nana's roast chicken simply doesn't stand up to this spice-packed Middle-Eastern roast with a creamy feta sauce.

Cake pops can be made at least two days before the party. Note

Work quickly while making the chocolate shells, as the chocolate tends to set quickly. You may need to resoften the chocolate in a microwave oven for a couple of seconds, if this happens. It’s important that the chocolate moulds are thoroughly cleaned and dried before using. Note

You will be able to find the ingredients for this muesli either in the health food aisle at most supermarkets or health food stores. The muesli will keep in an airtight container for up to 1 month. Note

Don’t assemble or cook pizzas until just before serving to keep them from becoming soggy. Note

This keeps for 4 days. Note

Do ahead The dough can be made a day ahead. Pear and onion mixture can be cooked 4 hours ahead. Note

This exquisite ruby grapefruit, orange and basil salad brings colour and zest to any dinner table.

Lamingtons are perfect for gifts and fetes. They can be made ahead and frozen. Serve straight from the freezer or stand at room temperature until thawed. Note

Use a pair of clean tweezers to position the tiny Wonka Nerds and other small lollies. Note

It is fine to use just the one 300ml carton of cream for this recipe. The meringues are best eaten within 2 hours of baking. Use strawberries or blackberries in place of the raspberries. Redcurrant jelly is a preserve found in the jam section of large supermarkets. Note

Featured in The Australian Women's Weekly's Best-Ever Kids Cakes cookbook, these cute cake pops have put a fun twist on a classic strawberry cheesecake. Sweet and easy to eat, kids will love this adorable addition to their birthday party snacks!

6-hole (¾-cup/180ml) texas muffin pan 12-hole (⅓-cup/80ml) standard muffin pan 40cm (16-inch) square prepared cake board 2.5cm (1-inch) round cutter We used cotton wool to create a snowy effect. Use your imagination when you’re “dressing” the snow folk and use whatever “clothes” you like. You could use chenille sticks (pipe cleaners) for arms instead of […]

Rose petal jam is available from Middle-Eastern foodstores and delis. Note

Garlic wedges can be made a week ahead. Note

We used ling in this recipe, but any firm white fish fillet will be fine. Note

Be sure to remove all toothpicks from cake before cutting. Note

You can substitute the almond meal for hazelnut or pecan meal if you prefer. The orange caramel sauce is best served immediately once prepared because it will separate on standing. Note

We used a bottled mixture of cornichons and baby pickled onions. Rillettes are a classic dish served for an aperitif with slices of baguette, cornichons and a glass of red wine. Duck or goose rillettes are also very popular in France. Note

The rolls can be prepared for baking up to 12 hours ahead; keep, covered, in refrigerator. Not suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Note

Make a cottage for each year of the birthday child’s age and, rather than using fruit sticks for the chimneys, use chunky coloured candles, instead. You’ll have about 1 cup of the cake mixture left over, enough to make another little house. Note

Cute and fun little nippy the crab cupcakes that the kids will love.

There's no need to miss out on delicious pastry dishes because of allergies. This tasty chicken, semi-dried tomato and spinach tart is gluten-free, and beautiful enjoyed warm from the oven or served cool as a lunch-box snack.

Warm, hearty and creamy, Potatos Byron is a simple but tasty French potato recipe with Parmesan cheese and cream.

Equipment: three 12-hole (-cup/80ml) muffin pans 25 paper muffin cases 5 disposable piping bags medium plain piping tube 48cm x 55cm covered cake board Decorations: 8 red ALLEN’S MARELLA Jubes 4 red ALLEN’S SNAKES ALIVE 1 banana ALLEN’S Milk Bottle Mania 3 strawberry ALLEN’S Milk Bottle Mania 6 LIFE SAVERS PEP‘O’MINT, halved 6 LIFE SAVERS […]

Rhubarb can be cooked several hours ahead. Place in pie dish, cover and refrigerate. Top rhubarb with crumble topping and bake as required. Note

Get the kids ready for the next world cup qualifier.This cake will surely encourage them to go outside and practise their ball skills. You can make it easier on yourself by using a Styrofoam ball instead of a cake for the shape of the soccer ball. Position the soccer ball on the cake about an […]

If you like, you can insert skewers into the cake to hold the layers in place while slicing. Cut through the top two cake layers and serve as a portion; cut through the bottom two cake layers as a second portion. Note

You’ll have about 1 1/2 cup of the cake mixture left over; make more noughts and crosses cakes for your guests. This is a very easy birthday cake to make; it is suitable for boys and girls alike. You can make it in any colour you like. Note

Boiled lollies are made from a thick syrup of boiled sugar and water, to which colour and flavourings are added before the mixture is rolled, cut into pieces and hardened. Also known as rock candy, humbugs and bullseyes. Note

Equipment: 30cm square wooden cake board, 15cm square wooden cake board, 10cm square woode cake board, smoothing tools, 2.5cm, 3cm and 3.5cm perspex measures, fine artist’s paint brush, stitching tool, 8 wooden skewers, 3 paper piping bags, vinyl mat tape measure, cotton wool. Use perspex measure to measure sides of cakes for lids. Press the […]

You will need 3 large overripe bananas (690g) for this recipe. Note