Baking

If you don’t have a candy thermometer, boil the syrup until it’s thick with heavy bubbles. Remove from heat, let bubbles subside, then reassess the thickness of the syrup. Note

Coffee caramel cupcakes piled high with delicious coffee cream, thanks to rich jersey caramels.

Equipment 2 large oven trays 6.5cm (2¾-inch) heart-shaped cutter small piping bag fitted with small plain tube Sprinkling lollies into heart shapes Joining boxes with royal icing The tea lights should only be left alight for a short time or the heat will melt the windows. Note

Delicate and light as air, these puffs are filled with lemon cream, glazed with lemon and topped with candied lemon. Altogether delectable.

Krachel are sweet, fragrant rolls flavoured with anise seeds, sesame seeds and orange flower water. They are perfect served warm, with butter, for morning or afternoon tea.

Gluten-free and dairy-free, the flavours and textures of this cake will not disappoint.

Filled sponges are best eaten the day they are made. Note

Any beef cut suitable for stewing can be used for the pie filling: gravy beef, skirt, blade or chuck steak. These cute little beef and stilton pies make excellent finger food.

Inspired by Aboriginal legend, this striking cake is distinctively an Australian original. Note

It is fine to use just the one 300ml carton of cream for this recipe. To make the crisps uniform, draw rectangles on baking paper, turn the paper over, then pipe meringue into the rectangular shapes. Spread mixture evenly with a metal spatula. Trim edges of cold crisps with a sharp knife. Note

You will need a 300g carton of sour cream for this recipe. Note

We used a store-bought lemon curd in this recipe. Biscuits can be made a day ahead; they are best filled on the day of serving. Note

We used fruit mince bought in a jar from the supermarket, but home-made would be even better. Store squares in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Note

Delicious Asian-style chicken infused with lime leaf and lemongrass.

We used very small pink lady apples, the ones suitable for kids’ lunchboxes. You can also make the pastry using a food processor. Process flour and butter until crumbly, with motor operating, add the water and process until ingredients just come together. Or you can use ready-made shortcrust pastry. Note

With a layer of dark chocolate, creamy cheesecake filling and sweet cherry jelly, this slice is a most decadent treat.

To make hazelnut and coffee friands, omit the walnuts and replace with 125g hazelnut meal. Note

A delicious Italian taleggio, prosciutto and rocket pizzas from Australian Women's Weekly.

DOUGH Note

Little tennis lovers will rejoice in this delicious and impressive birthday cake.

If you don’t have the time to make the crostini, ready-made crostini can be found in various flavours in most delicatessens and some supermarkets. Note

Cake can be completed and frozen, except for the coconut and penguins, at least a week before the party. Use regular ice-cream, not one high or low in fat. Buy small plastic toy penguins or make your own (as pictured) by moulding coloured ready-made white icing. Note

Deeply savoury and rich with tomato and Mediterranean vegetables, this simple baked fish dish makes and excellent shared lunch or dinner.

Kumara, spinach and ricotta go together beautifully in this easy pasta dish.

Apple and caramel go together perfectly, and these caramel apple squares make a perfect afternoon tea treat or light dessert.

Kefalotyris is a semi-firm greek sheep’s or goat’s milk cheese. Although called a pie, this traditional greek vegetable and herb packed recipe contains no pastry and is held together with eggs and fetta. Note

Warmly spiced and studded with ginger and macadamia nuts, these coconut and lime puddings are lovely served warm with a dollop of cream or ice-cream.

This wonderful veal braise is so tender you could eat it with a spoon. You may need to order the veal shoulder, sometimes called veal blade, a few days ahead of time from your butcher. Ask your butcher to bone, roll and tie the meat for you.

There's nothing yummier than wiping up the last juices from garlic and chilli prawn with a slice of fresh, crusty bread.

If you prefer, you can use 11/4 cups (380g) bottled fruit mince instead of the filling in this recipe. Note

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.

A fun and fishy cake that is perfect for a three year old's birthday party.

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

To make a cross pattern on the tarts, dust tarts generously with sifted icing sugar, then carefully heat a metal skewer over a flame (from a gas-stove top or a cook’s blowtorch). Sear a cross pattern into the top of each tart with the heated skewer before serving. Note

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

Traditional versions of this recipe originate in Spain, and are very similar to British Christmas or fruit cakes. Like with many traditional recipes, various exist between cultures and countries, even individual kitchens. This is our version.

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

Corn (maize) was brought back to Europe from the US by Christopher Columbus. It has become an Italian staple in the form of polenta. In the US, corn bread may be served with butter and jam, or as an accompaniment to casseroles and other meat dishes.

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.

Top the cake with cachous or chocolate sprinkles instead of the curls, if you prefer. Note

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

This cake can be made two days ahead. Note

This soup makes a fantastic meal for winter nights.

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.

Chicken can be crumbed one day ahead; keep, covered, in refrigerator. Cook chicken just before serving. Note

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.

This cake takes a bit more effort and time than the usual – but it is a celebration cake! It is decadent, rich and dense – and also enormous, so the leftovers will help keep the party going!

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

This is an extraordinary cake, perfect for a special occasion dessert or afternoon-tea. The crisp toffee shards, moist little apple cakes and maple frosting make an exquisite combination.

These cupcakes are definitely the cutest way to eat a delicious lamington.

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

These chocolate ginger mud cakes with their gorgeous gum nut decorations are easier to make than you'd think. Perfect when the occasion calls for a bit of stylish Australiana.

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

A proper, finger-licking chilli salt prawns recipe brought to you by Australian Women's Weekly

These smoked trout tarts with peas and dill make a great lunch. If you'd like to make finger food sized versions for a party, just quarter the filo sheets at the beginning, use a mini-muffin tin and cut the cooking time to 10-12 minutes.

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.

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.

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

You can use just one 300ml carton of thickened cream for this recipe. Whoopie pies are best eaten the day they are made. Note

This cake is sublime served warm with thick, fresh cream.

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.

These delicious puddings can be made up as quick as a flash as long as you have a jar of jam in your cupboard. Plus, they're gluten-free so everyone can enjoy them.

Roasted blueberries with brie makes a great starter, or buffet dish. You can bake a whole brie for 30 minutes in a medium hot oven if you prefer a warm dish for sharing.

a carnival of cakes to delight your guests ­ you could also personalise each cake with the name of the birthday child Tint each portion of butter cream with each of the colourings. Using a fork as a handle, spread top and side of each cake with a different coloured butter cream. Arrange balloon cakes […]

These crisp brandy snaps make a sophisticated, light dessert for a dinner party.

These adorable wedding cake cookies make great party favours for guests, or as a sweet treat for a wedding shower.

To make the ground walnuts, place nuts in a mini food processor or blender, process until fine. Note

In southern Italy and Sicily this dish is called braciole and in the northern regions it is called involtini; our version of this classic veal dish also has a burst of sage.

A fresh and bold Asian broth with crispy pork belly that melts in the mouth.