Snacks

These treats are best served while warm. Note

Roast beef pizza. Yes indeed. Suspend your disbelief at least until you try this brilliant example of British and Italian fusion, complete with horseradish, brought to you by Woman's Day.

When the kids get home from school starving, it's a good time to slip something healthy on their plate. We've got four recipes here, muffins, smoothie, fruit dip and quesadillas, that are perfect.

A guacamole and ham wrap is an easy way to make your childs lunch tasty and nutritious. Wraps are often a hit with those who dislike ordinary sandwiches.

Creamy chicken and crunchy celery make for a moreish filling in these bite-sized pies that are ideal for a big party. They disappear pretty fast, though, so make sure you set aside a few for later.

Impress your guests with these delicious, filled and rolled Chinese appetizers.

Choc-chip cookies are always a crowd pleaser and these mega choc-chip cookies will be hugely popular. Generously sized, crisp around the edges and chewy in the middle. Perfect.

Mini pizzas are meal the kids can get involved in cooking too. Whether it be cutting the toppings or helping sprinkle the cheese, this is a good recipe to get the whole family actively involved.

Deep-fried crisps make the perfect party snack.

An Italian filled and baked bread - perfect for children's snacks, lunches or any time!

The perfect summer supper - mild tandoori chicken with a refreshing mint raita.

If you have a sugar (candy) thermometer, use it for these recipes. These nuts are so moreish it will be hard to hand them over; to prevent such a dilemma, double the quantity and the problem is solved! Note

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

We used beef sausages here, but this snack would be just as good with chicken, pork or lamb sausages depending on your child’s tastes. You can replace the baba ghanoush with hummus. Note

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

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

Fit for the king or queen of the day, this cake sparkles with edible jewels. Note

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!

.Sumac is a purple-red, astringent spice ground from berries growing on shrubs that flourish wild around the Mediterranean. It adds a delightful tart, lemony piquancy to food without the heat of chilli. Available from the spice aisle of most supermarkets and Middle Eastern stores. Note

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

Ready-made rich chocolate fudge frosting is available in packets from the supermarket and cake decorating shops. Note

Try layering various herb leaves, such as sage, inside the potato wafers. You can also use russet burbank or spunta potatoes for this recipe. Note

This recipe comes from western Canada. Keeping time: 2 weeks. Note

You can substitute dried apricots or apple rings for the dried pears, if you like. Note

These nuts are so moreish it will be hard to hand them over; to prevent such a dilemma, double the quantity and the problem is solved! Note

Use focaccia, bagels, bread rolls or any other kind of bread. Note

Use a 26cm x 35cm baking dish 35cm square cake board. Cake can be made and covered with butter cream a day before the party. Top with popcorn and finish the cake up to three hours before the party. Be sure to remove toothpicks before cutting and serving the cake. Note

No one will want to pick this guitar up and smash it...it’s much too tasty for that and it's just another of our old-school favourites from The Australian Women's Weekly's famous 'Children's Birthday Cake Book' cookbook.

You need 10 ice-block sticks. If the choc orange balls don’t stick to the cookies, secure them with a little melted chocolate. Note

Checkerboard cookies look and taste wonderful. These biscuits make a perfect gift. Stack the cookies, then wrap securely in cellophane to keep airtight. They will keep fresh for a week or two. Note

Equipment 18 x 30cm cake pop sticks; large square styrofoam block; 2 paper piping bags. Use any firm-textured cake to make cake pops ­ mud, fruit, coconut or butter cakes all work well. Leftover Christmas cake or pudding are real winners as they’re usually moist. Cake pop sticks (also sold as `lollypop candy sticks’) are […]