Afternoon tea

Moist and fruity with a crunchy, crumbly topping, this sour cream and cherry coffee cake with almond crumble is delicious.

Make the most of fresh summer berries with this stunning vanilla custard flan.

Make your baby shower special with these delicious chocolate and orange cupcakes.

Coffee buttercream sandwiched between delicate crumbly meringue makes a simple, sweet treat perfect for coffee lovers.

Thrill your child on their birthday with this gorgeous hot-pink dragon cake.

A closed 25cm (10-inch) springform pan can be used to make this cake. Once the toffee is processed with the mint leaves, it will become sticky and must be used immediately. Note

Perfect for the lunchbox, these easy berry muffins make a delicious morning or afternoon snack.

These spiced, fluffy apple muffins are made even more delicious with a crunchy streusel topping.

No Christmas would be complete without a rich fruit cake such as this orange-scented beauty.

Spoil the chocoholics with these triple-chocolate and hazelnut cookies.

Try substituting hazelnut meal for the almonds, and use vanilla instead of almond essence. Note

If you can’t find wattleseeds, substitute with ground coffee. Note

Give your traditional shortbread a twist with this chocolate pistachio shortbread recipe from the Women's Weekly! Delicious as an afternoon tea treat, or wrapped in cellophane for homemade Christmas food gift.

Using lime curd for the filling of this tangy tart means you only have to bake the pie case, the rest is just a matter of setting.

Tart, sweet and fragrant oranges make these buttery shortbread triangles especially delectable. If you like, try substituting the lemon rind for the orange rind and add ⅓ cup (45g) coarsely chopped dried cranberries to the dough.

Put the kettle on and enjoy a slice of this deliciously moist chocolate and hazelnut roll filled with coffee cream.

Mini parmesan scones with goats cheese & tapenade make delicate, tasty little canapes.

These honeycomb cream cupcakes are a proper indulgence, a moist, spiced cupcake topped with whipped cream and shattered Violet Crumble bars.

Fig and chocolate studded cupcakes spread with chocolate ganache and topped with fresh figs and toffee crowns make a pretty spectacular treat.

These heavenly cinnamon and sour cherry macarons are definitely for the grownups. In order to get the pretty 'feet' effect along the bottom of each macaron, make sure you leave them to dry out completely before baking.

This decadent almond crunch is a stunning accompaniment to hot espresso.

Richly spiced, the combination of brown sugar, golden syrup and buttermilk makes this ginger cake moist and delicious.

These chewy gluten-free cookies are divine served with a cup of hot coffee or tea.

Use un-iced, unfilled plain biscuits for this recipe. Note

Swimming in a sea of blue jelly, this cheeky jellyfish will delight the kids.

The hardest part of making this cake is making the butter cream smooth on the sides of the petals where the cake has been cut. If you freeze the cut cake pieces for an hour or so, it will help minimise the cake crumbling.

Recipe is not suitable to freeze. Note

The mixed spice gives a unique aromatic element to this cake, which is kept deliciously moist with the addition of yoghurt.

Equipment 26cm x 35cm baking dish ruler 30cm x 40cm covered cake board (page 110) Board shorts can be completed a day before the party. Note

Teaming sweet flavours with salt is not a new discovery, but in recent years the combination of salt and caramel has worked its way from the culinary elite to mainstream tastes. And a good thing, too.

This apple pie can be made two days ahead and refrigerated, covered, but pastry will tend to soften a little under the apple. Note

With layers of chocolate sponge, raspberry cream and crisp almond-topped meringue, this decadent cake is irresistible. It looks almost too good to eat. Almost.

No one need ever know that these delicious cakes came from a packet. Jazz them up with a few extras, and everyone will think that you are so creative. Note

This decadent tart is beautiful served with thick cream and has a caramelised surface, similar to a crème brûlée.

These fluffy banana loaves with crunchy topping make a lovely accompaniment to a hot cup of tea.

One of the classic flavour combinations, sweet mild pear and fiery ginger make for a delicious biscuit.

Loaves can be made up to 2 days ahead; store in an airtight container. Loaves are suitable to freeze. Note

A crumbly topping hides a surprise in these fluffy apple muffins.

This divine apple cake has a crunchy almond topping and goes beautifully with a morning or afternoon cuppa.

With a delicious almond, cherry and ginger topping drizzled with ganache, these chocolate cupcakes are fantastic for a special occasion.

Fun and great for sharing; white choc-chip orange and cranberry muffins from Australian Women's Weekly.

Sweet and rich hazelnut and espresso friands make a delicate and exquisite afternoon tea treat.

Perfect for a special afternoon tea, this moist chocolate sponge is filled with whipped cream and topped with coffee icing.

Drizzled in sweet lemon syrup, these crispy almond and walnut pastries are a delightful accompaniment to a cup of hot coffee.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature. Note

These bite sized truffles make great gifts, especially at Christmas, as well as a sweet treat for parties or afternoon teas. If you want to go all out, dust with little fragments of gold leaf.

Store slice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Note

This colourful fruit and white chocolate slice makes the perfect Christmas gift.

What a delightful way to enjoy the flavour of eggnog. These macarons are the perfect, light accompaniment to Christmas dinner, and would make a unique and thoughtful gift for your host.

Jelly buttons are liquorice flavoured jellies with a crunchy coating. They are also known as jelly spogs. Note

Low in sugar and rich in fruit, this wholemeal loaf makes an excellent breakfast or afternoon energy booster.

Rich, chocolatey tiramisu cake with mascarpone cream and plump, fresh raspberries makes a fine end to a special dinner.

Rum adds a grown-up edge to that classic childhood favourite, pineapple upside-down cake. Delicious served warm with cream or ice-cream.

VANILLA SUGAR Split vanilla bean in half lengthways; scrape seeds into blender or processor. Add sugar; process until fine. Reserve 2 tablespoons for this recipe; store unused sugar in an airtight container for another use. This teacake is best eaten the day it is made. Note

The difference between 100% corn (maize) cornflour and wheaten cornflour (cornstarch) is that wheaten has gluten, whereas 100% corn is gluten-free. The gluten adds height to the sponge and gives it a lighter texture. Note

This basic slice is a great and tasty recipe for beginner bakers.

Topped with flaky almonds, this cherry coconut slice makes a delicious afternoon tea treat.

EQUIPMENT 26cm x 35cm (10 inch x 14 inch) baking dish 30cm x 40cm (12 inch x 16 inch) rectangular cake board bamboo skewer. The grommets have gone a-surfing — even fussy teenage boys and girls will want to ‘hang 10’ with this cool pair of board shorts. Use a skewer to make holes for […]

equipment 3 x 10cm (4-inch) round cardboard cake boards, small offset metal spatula, tape measure, plastic ruler, 4.5cm (1.-inch) fluted round cutter, 3.5cm (1.-inch) fluted round cutter Instead of one large cake, place smaller cakes randomly on the table, display them on stemmed glass cake plates for a charming effect. Cakes can be completed at […]

For the perfect sweet treat, enjoy a slice of this fluffy banana and hazelnut cake drizzled in hot butterscotch syrup.

Iced cake will keep in an airtight container for up to three days. Uniced cake can be frozen for up to three months. SERVING SUGGESTION Serve warm as a dessert with cream or custard. Note

35cm (14-inch) square cake board These cute little cakes would also be a welcome treat at a halloween party for younger children. Cupcakes should be decorated the day of serving as the Minties will dissolve if left overnight. Store cakes in an airtight container at room temperature. If you can’t find un-iced cupcakes, use iced […]

Covered in an assortment of lollies, this gorgeous yellow dragon cake is sure to be a winner with the kids.

Check the cookies a few minutes before the end of baking time if they feel a little soft, but firm, give one cookie a gentle push with the side of your thumb. A cooked cookie will slide easily on the tray. The cookies will become crisp on cooling. Note

With layers of almond sponge, raspberry mousse and cream, this spectacular cake is delectable and perfect for a celebration.

Use a cake mix that does not require butter to be added. Note

Coffee-flavoured whoopie pies with a delightful dusting of chocolate are a soft and satisfying treat for the coffee lover in your life.

When it comes to sweet treats the French always get it right and this delicate delight is no exception. Somewhere between a meringue and a biscuit, this melt in the mouth tropical macaron is simply délicieux!

These chewy gluten-free treats are perfect with coffee.

These crunchy Italian biscuits go wonderfully with hot espresso coffee.

This lemon tea cake is made something special when you layer it with lashings of lemon mascarpone frosting.

Put the kettle on and treat yourself to a thick wedge of this gingery lemon and apricot cake, best served with a dollop of yoghurt or whipped cream.

Delight your family and friends with these beautiful lattice-topped pies.

For pure crunchy peanut-buttery bliss you can't go past these cookies. If you like, replace the chocolate melts with chopped dark (semi-sweet) chocolate.

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