Youngsters will squeal with delight at the sight of these cute little pigs. You could easily make a piglet for each small guest to take home. Instead of tinting your own sugar, you can use the packets of coloured sugar crystals found in packets of Monster 5s or Fairy 5s, available from supermarkets. Note

Friands are small French cakes, also known financiers. Note

You will need to buy a 265g packet of small lollipops for this recipe. You should never smile at a crocodile, or be taken in by her welcoming grin, but Clara looks friendly enough — maybe! Note

Don’t be too concerned if your cake has a small dip in the middle; it will be covered with icing. Note

Peanut butter sauce can be made up to 3 days ahead. Leftover sauce can be used over ice-cream. Note

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

Flavoured Milk Bottles can be found in packets of ALLEN’S Milk Bottle Mania; use whichever colours you like. Remember to remove the skewers from the drawbridge before cutting the cake. Note

Limoncello is an Italian lemon-flavoured liqueur made from the peel only of fragrant lemons, which is steeped in clear alcohol then diluted with sugar and water. Store unfilled macaroons in an airtight container for about a week. Fill macaroons just before serving. Note

Use white Candy Melts in place of chocolate Melts for an extra-white finish. Note

We used small (15cm/6-inch diameter) packaged pizza bases for this recipe. Note

Porcini, dried Italian mushrooms, are available from delicatessens, gourmet food stores and some supermarkets. Some butchers sell a pork and veal mixture, this is fine to use here. Buy 625g. Note

Equipment deep 23cm (9¼-inch) square cake pan 30cm (12-inch) round or square prepared cake board and a bamboo skewer. The cake can be made a day before the party. Note

Choose freestone peaches as it will be easier to remove the seeds. Note

A cheese slicer makes curls about 2.5cm long; if you don’t have one, use a vegetable peeler, it will make smaller curls. We used a white chocolate mud cake in this recipe, and made a coffee-flavoured ganache to complement it and the chocolates, however, a dark chocolate mud cake would also look wonderful filled with […]

Macaroons are available from specialty bakery shops and select supermarkets. If you can’t find them, any small round filled biscuit will do. Try mini Oreos or mini Wagon Wheels, or Monte Carlos. Note

Aïoli is a garlic mayonnaise; it is available in supermarkets and delicatessens. Note

Any similar-sized pasta shape such as casarecce, rigatoni or penne would be suitable for this dish. Note

Be extremely careful when blending hot soup, let it cool a little first. Don’t overfill the blender, one third to half full is a good guide, and make sukre the lid is secure. Alternatively use a stick blender. Note

Whether you're a fan of the original story or of the sassy Shrek cat, this Puss In Boots cake from The Australian Women's Weekly's famous 'Children's Birthday Cake Book' cookbook is an all-time favourite.

Peaches & Cream are found in Allen’s Party Mix. You’ll have about 1 cup of the cake mixture left over; use to make extra cupcakes for the party. Note

The butterflies can be made months ahead; store in an airtight container at room temperature. Tylose powder is a hardening agent, it helps the butterflies maintain their wings in an upward position. Cascading butterflies of just about any colour will look splendid on a tiered cake like this. Keep the colour of the cakes pale, […]

You can use one quantity shortcrust pastry instead of the store-bought pastry sheets. Note

If plums are not in season, use a 1kg (2-pound) jar of whole plums. Drain, halve and seed them before using. Note

Fruit medley is a combination of chopped dried fruit containing apricots, apples, sultanas etc. Any fruit of your choice can be substituted. Note

Fun, colourful and delicious, this adorable sand castle themed birthday cake is perfect for busy explorers who love spending time at the beach.

You can use lemon, lime or blood orange marmalade or your favourite jam instead. Note

A healthy and rich vegetable dish with smoky baked beans and tomato from Australian Women's Weekly.

The fruit mix is enough to make a pudding, a cake and a dozen mince pies. Note

The tin needs to be coated thickly with melted butter so the roll won’t stick to the inside of the tin. Don’t use cooking-oil spray, as this doesn’t give a good enough coating and the roll will stick and be hard to turn out. If you can’t find nut roll tins, this mixture can be […]

Equipment: 4 x 10cm (4-inch) (closed) springform pans Everybody loves their own individual dessert ­ here, the tropical flavours blend happily with the creamy cheesecake filling. The mango rose pattern is simple to achieve, but looks impressive on the cheesecakes. We used a plain store-bought sponge for this recipe, you can make your own, if […]

Cake is best decorated on day required. Note

You can use any fresh berries you like in this recipe. Note

Quick and easy-to-make crispy roast potatoes with paprika aïoli from Australian Women's Weekly.

A modern take on the traditional French method of cooking “en papillote” (in sealed paper packets), this recipe uses aluminium foil rather than parchment to enclose the ingredients. Cooking this way intensifies the contained flavours. Note

Pies can be cooked one day ahead; keep, covered, in refrigerator. Reheat pies in a single layer on oven trays, covered loosely with foil, in oven (180°C/160°C fan-forced) for about 10 minutes. Uncooked pies can be frozen between layers of freezer wrap for up to three months; thaw in refrigerator for 12 hours or overnight […]

To save time, buy shelled and deveined prawns and calamari rings from your local fish supplier. Some major supermarkets also have a fresh seafood section. Note

This is a quick version of making a soufflé as the base is not made on a flour-thickened cheese sauce. Note

Tortiglioni, a straight tubular pasta with grooves on the exterior, works well when baked with a chunky sauce, such as this one.

Panettone are easy to find around Christmas time, at other times they may not be as readily available. You can use brioche instead, adding a handful of sultanas, or thick-cut fruit bread. Note

This adorable princess birthday cake is perfect for kids who love all things pretty and pink.

A crispy and delicious mashed potato casserole is the perfect accompaniment to roast dinners.

Equipment 6-hole (¾-cup/180ml) texas muffin pan 7 x 12-hole (1-tablespoon/20ml) mini muffin pans 1 yellow texas muffin paper case 77 yellow mini muffin paper cases 50cm-square prepared cake board (see basic know-how number 2, pages 160-161) Decorations 85g packet yellow jelly crystals 400g packet Smarties 1 tablespoon orange sprinkles 5cm piece black licorice strap 25 […]

This beautiful raspberry and rosewater cake is perfect for a birthday celebration or a Valentine's Day gift for your loved one. Not only does it look amazing, it tastes utterly delicious.

store in an airtight container at a cool room temperature until ready to serve. Cake pops will keep for up to a week. Note

Use small piping bags without a tube or 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 30cm (12-inch) round board for this cake. Note

Charming little savoury pies filled with a delicious chicken, celery and thyme mix.

These delicious homemade chicken and vegetable rolls are great for sharing.

This cake is at its best eaten on the same day as baking. Keeping time: 1 day. Note

Crispy, crunchy and golden minted tuna triangles that are perfect for sharing with friends at the bach.

You don’t have to use fruit bread, ­you could use white bread, croissants or panettone. Croissants are particularly delicious with the strawberry jam. Note

This pudding can be made a week ahead; store, covered, in the fridge, or freeze for up to 2 months. Brandy cream sauce can be made a day ahead; store, covered, in the fridge. Note

This recipe also makes 6 texas muffins (¾-cup/180ml), bake about 25 minutes. Note

You need half a 1kg (2-pound) can plums for this recipe. You can use fresh plums when in season. Fill pastries up to an hour before serving. Note

Warming buns packed fulls of currants, pecans and spices and topped with gooey honey and coffee icing.

Silver leaf, available from cake decorating stores, is delicate and fiddly to handle but worth the effort. Note

Keeping time: 4 days. Note

A quick and easy potato smash with beef and eggplant that is great for the kids.

Light and delicious French-style passionfruit and raspberry eclairs from Australian Women's Weekly.

Sticky, smoky American-style pork ribs with a zesty and crunchy slaw.

A lolly-packed party piñata that the kids will love.

There’s no need to cover the pudding steamer with foil or a lid because it is covered when the lid is placed on the cooker. Note

This cake needs to be made at least a day ahead. Or, up to 2 days ahead; store, covered, in the refrigerator. Note

This fresh spring frittata combines frozen broad beans and peas with ricotta to create an easy dinner that can be on the table in 30 minutes. It's just as good served up for lunch the next day.

A gingerbread house that’s almost too pretty to eat, but try telling the kids that! Note