Afternoon tea

Kids will love these fun spotty chocolate cakes, ideal for a party.

These gorgeous cupcakes by Woman's Day are exquisitely delicate and absolutely perfect for a fairy themed birthday party or even an afternoon tea. Serve them on your daintiest china.

Of all the fruit and nut loaf recipes, this one by Woman's Day has to be in the top 5. Gluten-free, stuffed with your favourite dried fruits and richly sweetened with brown sugar, it's irresistible.

We used milk and water to to make the base, for a lighter result – all milk or all water can also be used. Milk is best for scones/scrolls. Note

Drain peach slices well on paper towel before chopping. Note

Remember to discard any rhubarb leaves. Apple, pear or pineapple would also be delicious in this cake. Note

These biscuits will still be soft when they’re cooked, but will harden on cooling. Note

Test muffins with a skewer – if it comes out clean and dry, they are cooked. These muffins are best served warm. Note

We used a standard muffin pan – if you use mini muffin pans the mixture will make about 24. Reduce cooking time to 15 minutes Persian fairy floss (pashmak) is available from specialty and Middle Eastern food stores. Note

White Christmas is becoming a classic Australian treat for the festive season. It's not particularly sophisticated, but the taste means it doesn't have to be.

Bursting with the flavour and moistness of a whole orange, this amazing slice by Woman's Day will not last long. Made with the goodness and protein of almond meal, it's also gluten free.

Take yourself back to those weekends with your grandmother with this light, fluffy sponge cake complete with delectable strawberries in cream.

Master the art of the classic sponge cake with this delicious version sandwiched with whipped cream and passionfruit butter.

If you prefer, add 1 cup grated carrot to the mixture in place of 1 banana. Note

You will need about 3 medium bananas for this recipe. Note

If you like, make an icing by combining 2 cups icing sugar sifted with 2 tablespoons cocoa. Mix in 30g chopped butter and 1-2 tablespoons hot water. Stir until smooth. Note

Strawberries, kiwifruit and banana can also be used to top a pavalova Note

Nut loaf tins are available from speciality kitchenware shops. Note

These light, fluffy scones have the added sweetness of dates. They are perfect for a morning or afternoon snack.

These beautiful scones are packed full of sweet dates, bananas and walnuts. They're perfect for the kids lunches, or served warm with with cream at any afternoon tea.

A carefully applied cookie cutter will ensure these dainty pink and white themed honey biscuits are perfectly symmetrical. Enjoy them with your afternoon cuppa.

These light and fluffy muffins are naturally sweetened with dried sultanas, making them a perfect healthy lunchbox snack for school and work.

The only thing better than Kingston biscuits are homemade ones. These chewy coconut morsels filled with chocolate ganache go perfectly with a cuppa.

A smaller amount of mixed fruit results a lighter, but equally delicious fruitcake. A generous slosh of sherry has still been added though, so there's no need to fret.

To make a light, fluffy teacake, it is important to cream the butter and sugar thoroughly, until mixture is as light and white as possible. Note

A candy/sugar thermometer will reach 160°C when the syrup is ready. Note

This delicious vegetarian quiche is packed full of flavour from the salty haloumi, hearty eggplant and divine golden crust. Cut yourself a slice and enjoy warm or cool.

Unfilled sponge suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Note

The slightly astringent flavour of quince is softened during the slow-poaching, drawing out its richness. The fruit is soft and syrup drenched and delicious served with crisp, sweet filo fingers.

This “cake” is both fat free and gluten free. A V-slicer or mandoline will make short work of slicing the apples thinly. Note

Slathered with thick and sweet caramel icing, this slice rich and delicious afternoon treat to be savoured slowly.

This loaf freezes well – either whole or in slices. Note

To make chocolate curls, melt 1 cup white chocolate melts. Cut out several 8 x 10cm squares of baking paper. Spread or pipe (in a lacy pattern) a thin layer of chocolate onto paper in an oval shape. Fold over and carefully press tips of chocolate together to create a hollow loop. Support loops on […]

You can top with sliced strawberries or any other fruit of your choice. Makes 8 Note

Allowing the cheesecake to cool in a turned-off oven helps prevent cracking. Note

You’ll need 1 1/2 packets of biscuits for the base. The filling will keep cooking after the oven is turned off, so it should be just set in the centre, with a slight wobble. Note

This fruit loaf freezes well in individual portions, making it great for lunches. Note

Makes 20 Note

Zucchini can be replaced with mashed banana if preferred. Note

You can have a batch of these delicious scones on the table in around 20 minutes. Serve them warm with jam and cream for morning or afternoon tea.

Sweet, golden and full of gorgeous flavours, this beautiful coconut and raspberry cake is perfect for an indulgent morning or afternoon tea with your friends.

Some believe florentines to be an Italian creation. They're actually French. Wherever their origin, this recipe is just the ticket. Now will someone pop the kettle on?

Opposites attract in this cake with sour cream, white chocolate and apricot creating an explosion of flavour in your mouth.

Make the most of cherry season and preserve the flavour to enjoy for months to come.

Serve this with a fresh green salad, avocado and shaved parmesan for a tasty and gluten-free lunch or dinner. Note

Home made preserves are so very simple to make, and there's so much pleasure to be had from eating jam you made yourself.

Use other nuts of choice, such as macadamia or chopped pecans. Note

Line base and 2 sides using 1 strip of paper Repeat with remaining 2 sides. These will act as levers when removing slice from pan. Note

Test if the muffins are cooked by inserting a skewer in their centre. If it comes out clean and dry, it is cooked. Note

These silky egg tarts are consumed all year round in China, and are a familiar addition to any Dim Sum dessert trolley. And for good reason, they're delicious!

Armenian cooking is noted for its use of spices. In this recipe, nutmeg adds fragrance and taste to a not-too-sweet cake that cooks in two layers. Recipe can be made 2 days ahead; store in airtight container. Suitable to freeze, not suitable to microwave. Note

Store slice in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Use a serrated knife to cut this slice. Note

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

Rev up lunchboxes for the start of the new school year with these berry and yoghurt muffins.

You will need 2 large over-ripe bananas (460g) to get the required amount of mashed banana. Freeze un-iced cupcakes for up to 2 months in single layers to prevent damage; sealable plastic containers are good for this. For best results, try to fill as much of the space in the container as possible to eliminate […]

Why choose between cake and lollies when you can have both in one handy slice?

Rhubarb is available all year round. For the best flavour, choose thin, magenta coloured stalks over thicker green ones. Note

To ripen bananas quickly, place in a brown paper bag in a warmish place until brown. To give the cake a nutty flavor, fold 1 cup of chopped pecans into the mix after adding the sour cream. Note

A specialty of Siena, Italy, this dense fruit and nut cake is also known as Siena cake. You need to start this recipe the day before. Panforte will keep for up to 2 months wrapped in baking paper, then foil, in an airtight container.

Sweet, rich and creamy, this cookies and cream cheesecake is perfect for a birthday party, family event or just an indulgent weekend dessert.

Roast tomato and goat's cheese tart

Travel back to the old English countryside with this classic combination of cake, cream and strawberries. If you're looking for something a little less traditional, switch up the flavours with lemon, almonds and berries.

Having a gathering? Give the frozen party pies a miss and hand around a piping hot batch of these tasty, cheesy hot dog puffs. Snack food never tasted so good.

Adding a few drops of almond essence will give this tasty Greek almond crescents by recipes+ a lovely flavour. Wrap them in colourful paper and present them as a lovely Easter gift.

You can use canned or frozen mango when not in season. For extra lemony icing, add 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest. Note

Perfect as an after-school snack, or to meet those bottomless appetites during the school holidays.

A classic Aussie dessert, this beautiful meringue is divine topped with a sweet berry compote to create a brilliant pavlova.

A delicious breakfast can be prepared in a flash with this coconut bread. Just pop it under the grill for a couple of minutes until it begins to brown lightly and, if you like, spread it with a little butter.

The great thing about this pineapple and citrus fruit marmalade is the celebration of so many delicious fruits in the one jar. The balance of different flavours is just perfect. Spread liberally on hot buttered toast.

Do you need something spectacular for your Christmas table? Look no further than this celebration Christmas cake. Sophisticated and elegant on the outside, it has the perfect balance of fruit and liqueur on the inside.

This thick, creamy and utterly delicious watermelon and berry frappe is a great way to start your day, or to reach for as a mid-afternoon pick-me-up. Naturally sweet and enlivened by a shot of lime.

Made with almond meal in place of flour, these divine little almond and raspberry jam drops are soft, moist and ever so slightly crumbly. They're also incredibly pretty!

Beautifully moist and light, this coconut cake with its lovely and sweet frosting is the perfect accompaniment to your afternoon tea or coffee. It's even better when shared with someone you love.

We have many things to thank the Greeks for, baklava is but one of them. These cigar shaped treats drenched in syrup go perfectly with a steaming hot cup of espresso.

Give your next batch of cupcakes a special lift with this beautiful looking marbled frosting. Get the kids involved and decorate with 100s and 1000s, cachous and little icing flowers.

This simple apple tea cake is dense, moist and delicious. Glazed with apricot jam and studded with tender apple pieces, it makes a great afternoon tea treat.

Sticky, gooey, sweet and astringent in all the right measures, these baked brie and quince matchsticks are made from light, flaky puff-pastry. Fabulous finger food for a party.

These chocolatey Afghan biscuits are absolutely delicious enjoyed with a mug of coffee for afternoon tea. They keep well covered in the fridge for up to a week, but we don't think they'll last that long.

These easy, buttery cookies are delicious served with hot espresso. If you can't get blanched almonds, just use normal, unsalted almonds in their place.

Thin and crisp, these apple and almond biscotti-style biscuits are perfect for dunking and therefore fabulous with coffee or tea. If you prefer you could use candied orange peel instead of the dried apple.

These white chocolate mud cakes look and taste absolutely divine. Select brightly coloured icing flowers to decorate the top of the cakes and arrange beautifully on a cake stand for that extra 'wow' factor.

Originating in Italy, biscotti is a traditional biscuit that is mostly enjoyed with a strong coffee. A batch of these twice-baked goodies wrapped in coloured paper makes a thoughtful and delicious gift.

In France, friands are better known as financiers because they were originally baked in tiny, gold-bar shaped pans. These dainty little pistachio and lime friands are perfect for morning or afternoon tea.

If you're a fan of the classic Swiss style of serving cheese, this camembert fondue ticks all the boxes. Enjoy plunging crispy slices of toasted baguette into this creamy, oozy disc of deliciousness.

If you're looking for a quick and tasty sweet afternoon tea snack these hazelnut pinwheels are the answer. They look and taste delicious and go perfectly with a steaming mug of coffee or tea.

Marmalade is really jam for grown-ups and our grapefruit and brandy marmalade is especially sophisticated. Spread it liberally on your hot buttered toast or scones for an elegant morning snack. Serve with tea for two.

A sugar (candy) thermometer, available from kitchenware stores, is essential for this recipe. Yes, you need to get your timing just right, and making nougat can be a little fiddly, but it's totally worth it for the real deal.