Afternoon tea

This decadent chocolate fudge will satisfy even the sweetest tooth.

These rich and zesty cupcakes, topped with cream and lemon curd, make a great afternoon tea treat.

Hipster meets old-school Italian in this chai latte biscotti, and the results are in. They're delicious! Whip them up for an afternoon tea gathering with friends, or wrap them for a thoughtful gift.

Colour the icing on these cupcakes to match your favourite footy team.

The addition of the cream cheese gives this luscious cake an especially moist, rich quality.

Brownies are best made close to serving time. Sauce can be made a day ahead. Note

Depending on size of the food processor, the apricots can be processed in two batches. Place saucepan over a small gas jet or element to prevent burning mixture on edge of pan. Note

Have a crack at this easy scone recipe then try different flavour variations - from lemon and currant, cumin and oregano to apricot wholemeal.

Scones are best made on the day of serving. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in oven, wrapped in foil. Use a zester to shred lemon rind. Note

Lightly perfumed with rose water, sprinkling long strips of lime zest over this baked coconut custard tart makes it even more aromatic.

These divine little bite-sized chocolate hazelnut cakes are the perfect size for such a rich, indulgent recipe.

These beautifully coloured and delicate pistachio and orange blossom macrons are an absolute feast for the eyes. Arrange them in a large glass bowl or on a cupcake stand for maximum Wow! factor.

A candy thermometer, available from kitchenware stores, is essential for this recipe. Place thermometer in large saucepan of simmering water while syrup is heating. This will stop thermometer cracking when placed in hot syrup. Once syrup is at correct temperature, return thermometer to pan of water; remove from heat. When cool, rinse and dry. Turron […]

Black sugar is available from health food stores; brown sugar can be used as a substitute. Note

Dipped in melted chocolate, these crunchy biscuits taste excellent with a cup of hot coffee.

These moreish cookies go perfectly with a cold glass of milk.

Stencils are available from cake decorating suppliers and craft stores. FLUFFY MOCK CREAM Note

Hot cross buns

Dusted with icing sugar and cinnamon, these wholesome muffins make a delightful treat with tea or coffee. You'll need about two overripe bananas.

These sweet butterfly cookies are easier to make than they look and the kids will love them.

With a crunchy gingernut base, this creamy slice will satisfy your sweet tooth.

Nothing beats freshly baked scones with sweet cherry jam and cream.

They say when it comes to food, looks do matter. So try this nifty new look when next baking a loaf.

Pop the kettle on and enjoy a thick slice of this zesty buttermilk cake drizzled in lime syrup.

It’s worth taking the time to caramelise the apples to a deep caramel colour. It’s important to measure the closed springform pan; the measurement appearing on the base of the springform pan sometimes refers to the measurement of the pan when it is open. Note

To get the decorative effect on the top of the cake, place a paper doily on the cake and sprinkle ground cinnamon over the top. Carefully remove the doily from the top of the cake. Note

Thrill your child on their birthday with this adorable (and delicious) red fire engine cake.

Rich and decadent, you'll only need a small square of this lovely fudge to satisfy the sweetest of cravings. Enjoy with your afternoon cuppa.

Flourless cake is a brilliant alternative for those of us who are sensitive or intolerant to gluten. This orange version tastes amazing and is cooked with almond meal, polenta and real oranges.

Un-iced cakes are suitable to freeze for up to 3 months. Note

This spiced walnut cake with a brandy syrup is rich with the fragrance of cloves, cinnamon and orange.

Drizzled in a hot lime syrup, this moist cake makes an excellent dessert served with cream and raspberries.

A piping bag — available from cookware shops — is a really handy thing to have. They are easy to use, much easier than you’d expect, and make the dividing up of a mixture into trays quick and efficient. Buy a few different sizes and shapes of tubes — you’ll be surprised how often you’ll […]

Tall 850ml (8cm x 17cm) (3-inch x 6¾-inch) fruit juice cans make good nut roll tins. Use a can opener that cuts just below the rims to cut one end from the can. Wash and dry the can thoroughly before greasing well. Use a double-thickness of foil to cover the top of the can and […]

Nobody was terribly surprised when this pistachio buttercake with orange honey syrup made the Australian Women's Weekly's Top 10 cakes list.

The Weekly's Top 10 cakes - Number 3

These zesty, twice-baked biscotti make the perfect tea time treat.

Be careful to measure all the ingredients exactly, or too much or too little of some of the ingredients will affect the way the loaf rises. Note

Get the kids busy in the kitchen with these adorable kitty cat cupcakes.

This recipe is also wheat-free, yeast-free and nut-free. Note

These gorgeous miniature berry and rhubarb pies are perfect for a morning or afternoon treat, or a decadent dessert with vanilla ice-cream.

Brought to you by the classic Australian Women's Weekly children's birthday cake cookbook.

Thrill the kids with these easy hot-pink cupcakes topped with Jaffas.

Plain biscuits will keep in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Sandwiched biscuits will keep, refrigerated, in an airtight container for up to 1 week. These bite-size biscuits hail from Piedmont in Italy, a region famed for the combination of chocolate and hazelnuts. Ground nuts lose their flavour quickly so, for a more […]

As delicious as these lemon coconut macarons will be once finished, for a better flavour and a more chewy texture seal them in a container and refrigerate them overnight. It is a most cruel exercise in self restraint, but worth it.

You will need about 2 lemons for this recipe. You can freeze the unused egg whites and use them later in friands, omelettes or a pavlova. VARIATIONS You can make this recipe with other citrus fruit, simply replace the lemon rind and juice with the same amount of rind and juice of whatever citrus fruit […]

The perfect balance of sweet and tart, this sticky dessert is perfect for those who want to delight their guests. The added ingredient of cardamom provides unique flavour and spice that'll have people begging for more.

Perfect for school lunches or morning or afternoon tea, these fig jam and raisin rolls will not fail to satisfy. Spread them with a little butter and enjoy with your next cuppa.

Tarts can be made one day ahead; store, in a single layer, in an airtight container. The stars of the day can act all grown-up like their favourite celebrity with a flute of pink fizz in one hand and a canapé in the other. As well, there’s the kids’ all-time favourite jam tarts made into […]

Filled with hazelnut praline cream, this stunning sponge is perfect for a special occasion.

Wondering what to bring to a morning tea? This cake will impress everyone.

For a delightful afternoon treat, serve this cake with butter for spreading and a pot of tea.

Make these decorated cupcakes for that special someone in your life. Or spread some joy on February 14 and bake a batch for the office.

Polenta always makes for a rich, dense cake and never more so than when paired with rich, dried figs.

This Alsatian Christmas bundt is fluffy, buttery and completely delicious with its spiced walnut filling.

Try this sticky Italian christmas classic with a chocolate and orange twist.

A delicious, buttery slice with a crumbly topping.

Put the kettle on and indulge in a thick slice of this crumble-topped raisin cake.

Filled with sweet, spiced nuts and drizzled in a warm honey syrup, these Greek pastries are heavenly served with a cup of coffee.

You’ll need 3 lemons to make this recipe. Note

Crisps can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. Note

Perfect for a kid's birthday party, these butterfly cupcakes are fun to both make and eat.

Ahh, biscotti. It's really a biscuit for grown ups. We've given it a little facelift here, and added some coffee flavour and toasted hazelnuts; hide from the kids and enjoy with your afternoon cuppa.

Petit madeleines, such a big reputation for such a little cake. You too can make like you're in Paris, musing on times past with a pot of tea and a delicate madeleine.

For a real chocolate rush, try this rich cake with warm sauce.

My mum used to make pineapple upside-down cake when I was a kid. This orange version is lovely – syrupy, sweet and satisfying.

A fruity delight to share.

Soft and zesty, this classic cake should be served with heaps of strawberries to create fresh flavour profiles to complement your afternoon tea.

With a creamy custard filling and cinnamon sugar topping, these apple muffins are the perfect sweet treat.

The kids will love these vanilla cupcakes topped with pink whipped cream and fresh berries.

Give your traditional shortbread recipe a more robust and festive flavour by trying these brown sugar and spice shortbread sticks. They would also make a thoughtful gift.

Pop these delicious jam sensations in the oven and enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee and good conversation. The tartness of raspberry makes these cookies utterly irresistible. Experiment with quince jam or marmalade, if you like.