Afternoon tea

One of the most important accessories for any young glamourette is her designer handbag and this stunning cake will be the envy of all the guests. It can be completed a day ahead, and decorated on the big day.

These muesli bars are a particularly high energy food, great for kids on the go. Serve them up as an after school snack, or keep them handy on the weekends to refuel in between sporting commitments.

A lovely, moist banana cake is always a winner. Upgrade your usual topping with this sweet, tangy and tropical passionfruit cream cheese frosting.

It's always lovely to finish a meal with a little something sweet. Here, we've taken these raspberry friands to a new level of decadence by adding white chocolate.

Perfect for passing around as finger food at a cocktail party or other celebration, these delicious little sushi bites are given added bite by their pickled green onion topper.

Brew a cup of good coffee, or warm up the teapot, and sit back with a slice of this fabulous white chocolate and raspberry baked cheesecake for an afternoon tea to savour.

These deluxe valentine cupcakes look and taste amazing. Filled with the sweetness of chocolate cake and the tartness of fresh raspberries, your loved one will be surprised and delighted this Valentine's day.

It's not quite a turnover, and not quite a strudel, but this rhubarb and almond jalousie is rather delicious. This crispy sweet delight certainly proves that French know their stuff when it comes to making pastries.

A slender slice of grown-up rocky road is great to have with coffee. Use milk or dark chocolate if you like and change the nuts to suit your taste.

These elegant, simple little finger sandwiches are easy to make and full of flavour, the chives and shallots cutting through the rich oiliness of smoked salmon. Perfect for an afternoon-tea party, or when you fancy something small and tasty for lunch.

An easy, make-ahead dessert for six to eight people, biscotten torte (biscuit cake) is a luscious ending for a dinner or lunch party. Layers of biscuits are brushed with a rum-milk mixture and sandwiched together with a delicious almond cream.

The taste of summer, all wrapped up.

These deliciously moist and sweet roasted hazelnut brownies are so rich you'll need just a half-slice with your morning tea to be completely satisfied. Save the other half for afternoon tea!

This rich chocolate cake is based on the Mississippi mud pie, believed to have originated in the 1970s. The "mud" part of the name comes from the fact that the dense cake looks like the thick, muddy banks of the Mississippi River.

These almond honey nougats are beautiful to look at and delicious to eat. They make the perfect Christmas gift or after dinner sweet to enjoy with family and friends during the festive season.

This coconut cherry slice manages to be just a little bit posh while at the same time packing a delicious chocolatey punch. Enjoy with your afternoon coffee or tea.

Put these lovely little gift cakes on pieces of thick cardboard, measuring about 9cm-square, covered with special foil or glossy paper or wrapped with brightly coloured ribbons. They can be made a month ahead.

These mascarpone matchsticks are quite possibly the simplest dessert in the world to make. Even the most novice of cooks can easily assemble these little pastry beauties. Bet you can't eat just one.

The deep ruby, red colour of plums is reflected in it's complex, tart-sweet flavour. This delectable plum and almond slice is perfect for a casual afternoon tea.

Carrot cake is always a winner, and the addition of a little mixed spice to this recipe takes it to a new level. This gluten free version is super moist and perfect for the kids' lunch boxes or after school snack.

These delightful little butterfly cakes with strawberry jam are simple to make and extremely delicious. They go down a treat at children's parties, or morning teas. You can substitute the jam for just about any conserve.

The best thing about this slice, besides how yummy it tastes, is that there's no cooking required. A great recipe to have on hand for those days when you need to both entertain and feed kids as you can easily make it together.

These bite-sized chocolate apricot truffles are not quite as rich as their original cousin, but they are just as delicious. The fruity centre provides a lovely tart and chewy contrast to the firm sweet chocolate coating.

If you're in a jam, any jam will do for these delightful almond biscuits. Buttery, crumbly and zesty with lemon, they're a delicious little mouthful.

These macadamia and ginger fingers make a lovely gluten-free alternative to cakes and biscuits for morning or afternoon tea. Enjoy as part of your 'elevenses' routine, or treat the kids for their afternoon snack.

These lemon tartlets have just the right amount of sweetness and tartness. Using ready made pastry means that they are easy to prepare and perfect for fussy cooks who are short on time.

For those of you who have not yet tried this somewhat odd combination, don't be put off! This chocolate and beetroot cake is moist and delicious, with a wonderful rich colour. We think you'll love it.

Nougat recipes often require candy thermometers and exact cooking temperatures; this cranberry and nut version is much simpler. It also has a pretty stained glass effect and makes a lovely gift.

Homemade ice-cream is swirled with caramel sauce and topped with crushed amaretti biscuits in this impressive, decadent ice-cream cake.

You'll know when this lemon and passionfruit marmalade is ready, because when you put a teaspoonful on a very cold plate (put it in the freezer for a few minutes) it will set, or 'jell'. Further boiling will make it thicker.

These crusty cheese and mustard dampers are best served piping hot, straight from the oven. They are the perfect on their own or alongside a steaming bowl of hot soup and will fill your kitchen with the most delicious aroma.

If you don't already have a go-to recipe for chocolate cupcakes, you do now. This classic version is made even better when topped with the rich, fudgy frosting. Perfect for kids' parties or an after school treat.

The time and effort of proving and kneading your own dough brings with it a certain sense of achievement. The first bite of this tasty date fig and walnut loaf can only add to the contentment that comes with a job well done.

This classic Italian masterpiece never fails to please, and for good reason. Take your tiramisu to the next level by topping it with this magnificent hazelnut praline and you'll have your guests begging for more.

These quick savoury muffins are perfect for morning tea or a picnic. If you want to spice them up a little, add a teaspoon of dried chilli flakes.

This quick and easy apricot crumble slice makes a great afternoon snack, and is perfect for packing in lunch boxes. For something slightly fancier, serve warm with a spoonful of sour cream.

For this slice recipe you can buy passionfruit pulp from the supermarket, or, if you have an abundance of fresh passionfruit, this is a great way to put them to good use.

If you're a fan of the cherry ripe, you'll love our chocolate cherry slice. The combination of cherries, chocolate and coconut will be reminiscent of this quintessential chocolate bar, only better.

Stollen is a traditional German cake-like bread eaten at Christmastime, when it is called Winterbrot (winter bread). Packed with candied and dried fruit, we think it should be enjoyed all year 'round.

Lunchbox surprise, kids' party food, or a sweet treat to have with your morning coffee, the chocolate cornflake slice is surprisingly versatile and child's play to make.

A delicious twist on our classic cornflake cookies these white chocolate cornflake cookies with peanuts are crunchy and delicious.

Jan's never-fail custard cake can be made in multiple varieties, and all work as beautifully as each other.

This easy carrot cake is so delicious with its tangy lemon frosting.

This decadent butterscotch pie will satisfy the cravings of any sweet tooth. The only problem with this luscious dish is trying to decide whether to serve it with lashings of whipped cream, or ice-cream.

Give this traditional Aussie bread a boozy, fruity makeover with this rum and raisin damper recipe. Cooked in a campfire oven or in the comfort of your kitchen, it's the real deal. Serve piping hot with lashings of butter.

This delightful spiced ginger and orange biscotti gives a lovely Christmassy twist to this favourite Italian biscuit.

The thinner you make these delectable almond crisps, the crisper they'll be. If you like the centre to stay a little chewy, then just flatten them a little less.

Originating in Scotland, shortbread has become very popular in many parts of the globe and is now eaten all year. Enjoy the crumbly, golden biscuit with a mug of your favourite brew.

EQUIPMENT 40cm (16-inch) square cake board Use assorted cream-filled rollettes for a colourful alternative. Note

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

Succulent figs add interest, depth and flavour to this deliciously easy chocolate caramel slice.

Keeping time: 2 days. Note

You can use any coloured jelly beans you like. Choose a writing icing to match the colour of the jelly beans. Note

Celebrate your child's birthday with this charming (and easy to make) butterfly display case.

Do not be afraid of the humble macaron. Yes, they're tricky, but easier than you think. Don't take any short cuts, use a light touch when mixing, and you'll be well on the way to making the perfect cappuccino macaron.

Topped with whipped caramel frosting sprinkled with sea salt, this moist banana, walnut and coffee cake is perfect for a special occasion.

Pop the kettle on and enjoy a thick slice of this beautifully moist apricot cake with crisp macaroon topping.

Sprinkled with a crunchy walnut topping, these fluffy raspberry muffins are lightly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, resulting in a delicious combination of flavour and texture.

These two classic sweet treats just got even sweeter, as they have merged into a fabulous fun cupcake.

Greek yoghurt has less moisture than ordinary yoghurt, giving this lovely cake a firmer texture.

Back in 1792, two Carmelite nuns dubbed the "Macaron Sisters" baked and sold macarons to pay for their lodgings. Over 200 years later, our love affair with these almond delights continue. These chocolate and cherry macarons are beautiful served with hot espresso.

Finely chopped walnuts, hazelnuts or macadamias can be used instead of the pecans. Top each biscuit with a chocolate-covered coffee bean or an almond kernel, if you like. Store in an airtight container for up to a week. Note

Pleating the foil allows the cake to expand as it cooks. Use a piece of foil slightly larger than the pan. Fold the foil to create a pleat down the centre. We used a loaf pan with a capacity of 3 litres (12 cups). The uniced cake can be made a day ahead; store in […]

You'll be seriously popular after you serve up these hot little banana, chocolate and peanut butter turnovers.

Topped with fluffy pink icing and sugar roses, this gluten-free butter cake is perfect for a party.

Dust with a little extra sifted icing sugar. Note

It is fine to use just 1 x 300ml carton of cream for this recipe. This recipe also makes 6 texas muffins (¾-cup/180ml); bake about 40 minutes. Note

Full of hazelnuts, walnuts and cherries, this easy fridge slice makes a decadent treat with tea or coffee.

Juggling is so much fun, people have been doing it since ancient Egyptian times. This delightful fellow is constructed from lots of little cakes, so it's simple to make and easy to decorate.

Fresh warm scones with jam and double cream are one of the true delights in the afternoon tea repertoire. If you can get your hands on some proper clotted cream, all the better.

Carrot cakes

This decadent, crunchy-topped slice is perfect with a morning or afternoon cuppa.

Wrap individual muffins in plastic wrap and freeze for up to three months. Defrost muffins as required either overnight in the refrigerator or in the microwave on high (100%) for about 30 seconds. Note

Keeping time: 3 days. Note

Rich, moist and just sweet enough, this cake is great for any occasion.

A sponge cooks best when the top of each pan is in the centre of the oven. If pans are on different shelves, swap them around half way through baking so sponges cook evenly. Note

These popular French cakes are light, fluffy and delicious served with a dollop of yoghurt on the side.

Cinnamon, mixed spice and treacle combine together to give these cookies a rich, dark colour and flavour. Their crown of chopped walnuts make them the perfect treat for grownups.

Fresh corn can be used instead of canned corn; you will need two cobs. Sour cream or yoghurt can be used instead of the creme fraiche. Fritters can be made the day before; top them with creme fraiche etc, an hour or so before serving. Note

12-hole (-cup/80ml) muffin pan 12 paper muffin cases decorations 2 blue NESTLE SMARTIES 2 NESTLE MILKYBAR Buttons 1 ALLEN’S Peaches & Cream 1 orange ALLEN’S SNAKES ALIVE orange sprinkles 12 caramel ALLEN’S Milk Bottle Mania 4 strawberry ALLEN’S Milk Bottle Mania 7 ALLEN’S Strawberries & Cream All the lollies used here have been cut into […]

Try something a little different with these delightful mini meringue pies.

Make your Christmas special with these delightful fruitcake cupcakes.