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

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

Wrap the steamer lid in a clean tea towel to avoid condensation drops falling onto the custards. Cook custards in two batches if they don’t all fit in your steamer. Note

Use a melon baller to scoop watermelon into bite-sized balls, if desired, for a more decorative look. 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

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 […]

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

Equipment 35cm (14-inch) round wooden cake board 20cm (8-inch) round wooden cake board 15cm (6-inch) round wooden cake board Smoothing tools 6 wooden skewers Fine long wooden skewer Silicone flower mould Small metal spatula 4 small piping bags Small (number 2) plain piping tube Silicone moulds come in myriad shapes and sizes. The mould we […]

This recipe is best made just before serving, and not suitable to freeze. Note

Peppermint essence is an extract of distilled peppermint leaves Note

EQUIPMENT: 12 lengths 18-gauge floral wire Long-nosed pliers Flower glue Styrofoam Block vinyl mat 3cm (1-inch), round cutter 4cm (1½-inch), round cutter 5.5cm (2¾-inch) round cutter Flower mat Ball tool Fine artist’s paint brush Small non-stick rolling pin 12-hole round-based, shallow (1 tablespoon/20ml) patty pan Stamens 1.5cm (¾-inch) 4-petal blossom cutter Florist’s tape 45cm (18-inch) […]

Not suitable to microwave. 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

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

It is fine to use just the one 300ml carton of cream for this recipe. You can use any dried fruit in place of the raisins in this recipe such as dried apricots or peaches. Note

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

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

We used a low-calorie packet of jelly crystals because we wanted the cranberry and raspberry flavour but you can use any jelly crystals you like, as long as it makes 2 cups (500ml) jelly; raspberry, port wine and cherry-flavoured jelly would all work well. Note

We used Kinder Surprise chocolate eggs available in most supermarkets. Note

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

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

If you can’t find corella pears, use four beurre bosc pears instead. The same quantity of red wine can be used in place of the port; the end result may not be as sweet, so adjust sweetening accordingly. Pears can be reheated gently in the syrup, or served cold. You can sprinkle some fine strips […]

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

You will need a pasta machine, cannoli moulds (8cm long and 2cm wide/3¼-inch x ¾-inch) and a piping bag fitted with a 1cm (½-inch) plain tube for this recipe. Note

Refreshing raspberry, yoghurt and strawberry terrine with a sweet berry and fresh mint salad - a show-stopping dessert for your next dinner party!

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

Sprinkled with sugar and drizzled with lemon, this basic pancake recipe is a classic for a reason.

You need about 3 large passionfruit for this recipe. Note

White icing is also known as fondant (it’s the traditional icing used on wedding cakes). It is available in packets from the supermarket and cake decorating shops. You could use one of those many pictures, drawn by your little Picasso and lovingly stuck on the fridge, to make the scene for the top of this […]

It is fine to use just the one 600ml carton or two 300ml cartons of cream for this recipe. You can vary this dessert endlessly by changing the flavours of the sorbet and the fruit. You can make this dessert ahead of time; once frozen, cover with plastic wrap. Decorate with fresh fruit before serving. […]

This recipe is not suitable to freeze. Note

Equipment 3 x 12-hole (⅓-cup/80ml) standard muffin pans 36 standard paper cases (18 yellow, 18 red) 45cm-square prepared cake board Decorations 1 Killer Python 3 snakes (2 blue, 1 green) 4 x 25g Curly Wurly bars Smarties Piping takes a little skill, practice on a flat surface before you pipe the numbers on the cakes. […]

The imported tube pan we used in this recipe is available from speciality cook ware shops. It measures 21cm across the base and has a 4 litre fluid capacity. The mixture needs to cling to the tube pan so it is important not to grease it. To remove cake from the tube pan, run a […]

When cutting cheesecake, dip the knife in hot water to ensure a clean cut. Note

Grapefruit probably got their name because they grow in clusters like grapes. Pink or ruby grapefruit have coral-pink flesh and shell- pink skin, and are sweeter and juicier than the yellow-skinned variety. Grenadine is a deep-red syrup based on pomegranate juice and used to both colour and sweeten desserts and drinks. Some versions of grenadine […]

We used two round heatproof bowls about 4cm in diameter and one small oval heatproof bowl about 9cm long to make the ghost’s eyes and mouth. Start making the meringue about 30 minutes before serving the cake. Cooked cake can be frozen for up to one month. Cake and ice-cream can be prepared, ready for […]

Make more cakes from any leftover cake mixture if you like. Cakes are best made on the day of the party. Note

The combination of sweet orange cake and fragrant fennel works perfectly together to create a flavour-packed dessert, perfect for people who don't have a massive sweet-tooth.

You could also make this cake in a deep 18cm round cake pan. This cake is best made on day of serving. Note

Use any remaining cake mixture to make some extra cupcakes for the party. The cake can be completed at least two days ahead. White icing is also known as fondant (it’s the traditional icing used on wedding cakes). It is available in packets from the supermarket and cake decorating shops. Note

EQUIPMENT 12-hole (⅓ -cup/80ml) standard muffin pan 12 standard paper cases (5 green, 4 brown, 3 blue) 40cm x 50cm (16-inch x 20-inch) cake board You’ll have ¾ cup of the cake mixture left over, enough for another three cakes. Many children like gardening, so take-home treats could be small gardening tools. Use the handle […]

This loaf keeps for 3 days. Note

Ready-rolled puff pastry can be bought at any local supermarket. Note

For a dairy-free version of this cake, substitute dairy-free spread for the butter and soy milk for the milk. Note

Equipment two 20cm (8-inch) round cake pans 30cm (12-inch) round prepared cake board or plate shell-shaped chocolate moulds Note

Build it and they will come…and eat it with gusto. The toy tools are readily available from most toy stores. White icing is also known as fondant (it’s the traditional icing used on wedding cakes). It is available in packets from the supermarket and cake decorating shops. Note

Recipe can be made two days ahead, store, covered, in the refrigerator. Don’t worry if the mixture separates, giving you two layers, one creamy and one clear. The mixture separates into two layers when the gelatine mixture is of a different temperature to that of the cream mixture, when the two mixtures are combined, they […]

Beautiful bite-size cakes with succulent syrup and subtle saffron flavour.

Pierre the French peacock is a fun and beautiful cake that the kid's will love.

White icing is also known as fondant (it’s the traditional icing used on wedding cakes). It is available in packets from the supermarket and cake decorating shops. Note

Nectarines, apricots or berries would be delicious in place of the peaches. serving suggestion Serve with thick (double) cream. Note

Gem strings on wire are available from craft stores. If you can’t find them, use small lengths of pink ribbon. Note

Sweet pastilla is traditionally served with sweetened warmed milk to reduce the crunchiness of the layered pastille. We like to use the pastilla to dip into the sweet yogurt cream. Note

Equipment 22cm x 30cm (9-inch x 12-inch) baking dish 12-hole (⅓-cup/80ml) standard muffin pan 12-hole (1-tablespoon/20ml) mini muffin pan 12 mini muffin paper cases 6.5cm (2½-inch) Heart-shaped cutter 4cm (1½-inch) Heart-shaped cutter 30cm x 40cm (12-inch x 16-inch) rectangular prepared cake board This cake is at its best made a day ahead of the party. […]

A light and summery spiced sponge cake with a delicious pistachio honey cream.

Persian fairy floss, also called Pashmak is available from delis and specialist food shops. If unavailable, ordinary fairy floss can be used. Note

Store in an airtight container for up to a week. Note

Gelato flavours used for this recipe: lemon, green apple, strawberry and mango although any flavours can be used. A very firm ice-cream may be used in place of the gelato, scoop it directly onto the ice-cream cones just before serving. Make sure the oven trays and cake board fit in your freezer before starting. Note

A puff of fairy floss makes a soft and cuddly chest for this lovable southern visitor. Note

We used scrap-booking decorations available from craft and hobby shops. This cake can be assembled directly onto a table or covered 24-inch square cake plate. Note

We found that using a cheese slicer is an easy and effective way of making large chocolate curls. You can use this recipe as a guide to make the boxes smaller or larger. Who wouldn’t love to receive a gift as wonderful, and as delicious, as this chocolate box? It’s the perfect present for any […]