Afternoon tea

Thickly sliced fresh nectarines or peaches can be used in place of figs. Note

Glucose syrup is often quite difficult to measure as it is very thick and sticks to everything. To make it easier, warm the jar of glucose syrup in a bowl of hot water before spooning out the required amount. Lightly oiling the spoon, or heating the spoon under hot water, and drying, will also help […]

This recipe is gluten-free, wheat-free, yeast-free and nut-free. You will need about 3 medium carrots (360g) for this recipe. storage Note

There's nothing abstemious about this gluten-free chocolate cake recipe, especially not with the luscious chocolate frosting all over it.

Tiny, blue-grey poppy seeds add texture and a slightly nutty taste. Note

Enjoy these sweet little cranberry and coconut treats with a cup of tea or coffee and good conversation.

The smooth, truffley mousse layered on top of a rich chocolate cake gives this dish a particular depth of flavour and texture. Perfect for a special celebration.

Embossed cookie cutters come with assorted messages and are available from cake decorating and kitchen shops, and most larger department stores. Or, you can stamp a message with individual letters into the cookie dough. You need a 7.5cm (3-inch) round fluted cutter, a 7.5cm (3-inch) embossed cookie cutter and a piping bag fitted with a […]

Plump raisins and tender pecans make this fruit loaf a great choice for breakfast or afternoon tea.

These berry frangipane tarts are perfect for a simple afternoon tea celebration. Serve them with a small dish of clotted cream for that little something extra.

Kumara dampers are a marriage of old Australia and new, of bush practicality and modern, urban culinary exploration. The pumpkin scone of Modern Australian cuisine.

Perfect for school lunches, picnics or after-school snacks and equally delicious hot or cold, these mini leek and parmesan fritters will always satisfy hungry mouths.

Try this delightfully citrusy orange flavoured macaroon cake next time you're asked to 'bring a plate'. The unique combination and texture of coconut and orange will be a sure fire winner.

Use any berries you like in this cake; they will all marry happily with the orange flavour. The mascarpone adds an extra level of decadence.

It’s important to measure the cake mixture carefully, so the cakes are all the same depth. Make the full amount of mixture, it will be fine standing at room temperature while you bake the 70 cakes in batches. We used standard sized foil cases. You need 64 cakes for the story board. We used scrap […]

It's not that hard being green... there's a pond, plenty of water, lily pads and a rainbow connection... Why, there's lots of fun to be had!

This cake is perfect for a first birthday party. It's quite simple to make, so you're not spending lots of time on a creation that probably won't be given its due attention by the birthday child.

When folding flour into egg mixture, you can use a large metal spoon, a rubber spatula, a whisk or use one hand like a rake. “This is my mum’s recipe, and whenever I go home, I’ll always find one waiting in the cake tin.” Note

Put the kettle on and enjoy a piece of this zesty slice with a cup of hot tea or coffee.

Drizzled with melted white chocolate, these delightful cookies are perfect for a special occasion.

If you like, decorate the brownie with white chocolate curls ­ just run a vegetable peeler down the side of a just slightly warmed chocolate block. Jersey caramels are available at supermarkets in the confectionery aisle. Note

This teacake is best eaten the day it is made. Note

Cake is best made on day of serving. Not suitable to freeze. A slice of this hearty, healthy cake is a decent breakfast on the run or a reliable mid-morning pick-me-up. Note

Thrill the trick-or-treaters with these clever (and easy) Halloween cupcakes.

Combine chocolate cake, chocolate custard and chocolate ganache and you've got this fabulous chocolate on chocolate torte, with cherries on top.

Celebrate your child turning four with this awesome birthday cake for car lovers.

We used a Granny Smith apple in this recipe. You will also need one medium overripe banana for this recipe. Keeping time: 1 day. Note

Don’t thaw the frozen blueberries before using as they will bleed colour into the cake batter. Note

Toast fingers can be made the day before and stored in an airtight container. The tomato and cheese can be chopped the day before, and placed in separate small bowls, covered with plastic wrap and stored in the fridge. Parsley should be chopped and fingers assembled just before serving. Note

Cooking time may vary slightly depending on the ripeness of the pear. Store loaf in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Note

Sweet, rich and wonderfully decadent, this beautiful chocolate slice is easy to make and perfect enjoyed with a cup of coffee for a relaxing morning or afternoon treat.

Kids will love these fluffy apple and cinnamon muffins.

Keeping time: 2 days. We used 3 bananas for this recipe. Note

These simple little strawberry shortcakes are made using pastry rather than shortbread, making them lighter and quicker to bake.

These mini banana loaves with muesli topping by the Australian Women's Weekly make a perfect nut-free addition to the kids' lunch boxes or even a delicious and nutritious breakfast on the run.

A classic teacake, the kind you hope to find on the cake stall at a school fete or church bazaar. Raspberry swirl cake is simple to make, looks impressive and tastes wonderful.

Also known as turón, these popular Filipino deep-fried bananas make an excellent dessert with refreshing coconut ice-cream.

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

These colourful vanilla cupcakes will be very popular with the kids.

This plump, sticky fruit loaf is a cinch to make and simply delicious.

Keep things simple with this delicious, plump sultana cake.

When it comes to cuisine the French got a lot right, especially the macaron. This humble sweet is deservedly famous for its chewy texture and delicious array of flavour options. Try this raspberry and cinnamon version, you'll love it.

Mango puree helps turn this classic coconut tea cake, and the coconut frosting, into a moist, fruity delight. Lovely served with a cup of tea or coffee.

This dough is quite soft. If it becomes difficult to handle, roll it out, then refrigerate again until firm. Note

Pop this one on the party table for an eye-catching cake. From The Australian Women's Weekly's famous 'Children's Birthday Cake Book' cookbook, it's sure to be a hit with younger children.

Filled with raspberry jam and whipped cream, these lamington-style cakes make the perfect morning or afternoon treat.

Fill your house with the warm, comforting scent of apple streusel cake.

The birthday child and friends will be thrilled with these individual tortoise cakes covered in chocolate freckles.

EQUIPMENT 20cm x 30cm (8-inch x 12-inch) rectangular cake board We used Tic Tacs to make the ladybird `trail’. Use as many ladybirds as you like to decorate the cake board. Use any critter lollies you can find, sour worms work well, or even use plastic spiders, if you like. If using non-edible decorations, make […]

This spectacular cake is topped with sweetened crème fraîche and candied beetroot chips.

Creamy chocolate and refreshing peppermint - a match made in heaven. We've added some crispy ingredients to this delicious slice recipe to create a wonderfully indulgent dessert.

Macarons can be challenging to make, but the results are worth it. Weigh your ingredients very carefully and sift the almond meal thoroughly, and these peppermint French macarons will be très bon!

A crunchy almond topping makes this delicious Christmas fruit cake different from the rest. Perfect served with a pot of hot tea.

The ganache can be made 2 days ahead; store in the refrigerator. When ready to use, beat with an electric mixer until it is of a spreadable consistency. Decorate the log with fresh cherries, if you like. Note

Spoil the carrot cake lover with these scrumptious cupcakes topped with maple cream cheese icing.

Sandwiched with brandy butter cream, these stacked hazelnut and orange spice cookies make a stunning Christmas treat.

Get the kids busy in the kitchen with these delicious coconut, lime and pineapple cookies.

These delicious chewy cranberry meringues, sometimes called cranberry chewies, make a delicate, pretty afternoon tea treat.

Inspired by delicious banoffee pie, this sweet little slice celebrates the match-made-in-heaven that is toffee and banana.

The crunchy cashew layer turns this simple loaf, into a spectacular sweet dessert or afternoon tea snack.

Finished with a drizzle of melted chocolate, these nutty meringue sticks are excellent served with coffee.

Pumpkin + cheese = heaven!

Layout a full afternoon tea spread of little cakes, scones with jam and cream and these divinely spicy crab, avocado and cucumber sandwiches.

Drizzled in orange blossom icing, these dense almond and orange cakes are perfect served with a pot of hot tea.

Edible gift tag cookies are an adorable way to personalise your presents this Christmas - but perhaps wait until Christmas Day to attach them to your gifts.

You can substitute the same weight of mandarins for the oranges. storage Cake will keep for up to 2 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Note

We used a blackboard as a serving plate for this fun spaceship cake. Get the party goers to create their own universe using chalk.

Piping the dough in this way results in a delightfully curly result that looks dainty on the plate. Plus, there's the added element of citrusy surprise when you bite into the shortbread.

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

Spiced honey muffins with chocolate chunks are topped with whipped cream and toffee bar shards in this decadent recipe.

A classic afternoon tea cake, this cherry almond cake is dense, fruity and utterly delicious.

6-hole (¾-cup/180ml) texas muffin pan 12-hole (¹/³-cup/80ml) standard muffin pan 12-hole (2-tablespoons/40ml) deep flat-based patty pan 3 texas muffin paper cases (blue) 6 standard paper cases (blue) 35cm-square prepared cake board (see basic know-how number 2, pages 160-161) decorations ¼ cup (40g) icing sugar 100g ready-made white icing (page 180) You’ll have about 1 cup […]

These teacakes are best eaten the day they are made. Note

These caramel macadamia bars are a definite luxury item. Sprinkled with icing sugar, they are a most delicious treat.

Keeping time: 3 days. Note