To test that jam gels: Place a teaspoon of marmalade on a cold saucer; place in freezer for 2 minutes. Run finger through marmalade. If surface wrinkles and jam separates, it’s ready. Note

To reheat: Boil for 1 hour in a greased pudding basin. Check label to make sure the custard is gluten free. Note

Celebrate the birth and naming of the newest princess born to the British Royal Family with this delicious chocolatey dessert. A fitting tribute to little Charlotte, we think!

Warm caster sugar by placing in baking tray in warm oven (160°C) for 2 minutes. Jamsetta is available from the baking aisle of any supermarket. To test if jam is set: Place a teaspoon of jam on a chilled saucer; cool. Push jam with a finger; if it wrinkles, it’s ready to bottle. Note

Un-iced cake suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Note

Just because you don't eat gluten doesn't mean you have to miss out on Christmas treats - try this delicious glace fruit cake.

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.

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

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.

A good shiraz, the king of the reds, adds depth and complexity to the gravy in these delicious little beef shiraz pies.

Slow-cooking the filling of this chunky pork and fennel pie brings out the natural sweetness of tender pork, and softens the aniseed flavour of the fennel.

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.

The supremely clever culinary folk over at Woman's Day have created the most delicious Eton mess. We're lucky they left enough for us to complete the shoot. It didn't last very long!

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

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

Cooking time for lamb is 50-60 minutes per kg. Note

“Frenched” is when the shanks are trimmed of all excess fat and sinew. Both ends are often trimmed as well for presentation. It is not a necessary step. Note

Sweet, rich and utterly decadent, these gorgeous desserts are packed full of fresh dates and are beautiful enjoyed warm with a dollop of fresh cream or ice-cream.

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

Beautifully retro and irresistibly delicious, the folk at Woman's Day would like to re-introduce you to the brandy snap. Eat immediately to preserve the crispness, you say? If we must.

Warming, comforting and oh-so-simple, make bread and butter pudding a staple dessert in your house this winter.

Makes 20 Note

Pie apple is available in cans or jars. Or use 1 peeled cored and chopped green apple instead. Note

Individual apple and raspberry crumbles are a tartly delicious winter dessert, best served with lashings of cream or ice-cream.

Looking for a make ahead dinner? These chicken pot pies freeze well.

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.

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

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

When you tie the baking paper and foil with string, leave a long piece of string to allow for easy removal from the cooker. Note

This cheat's version of a classic Aussie-style egg and bacon pie uses supermarket ingredients to create a quick and tasty family lunch or dinner.

A well-loved side dish for many years, this simple and classic scalloped potatoes dish by Women's Day is always met with claps and squeals of delight. The kids love it, too.

Embrace tradition, don your apron and arm yourself with a sturdy wooden spoon. You simply must create this sensational steamed Christmas pudding for family and friends this festive season. They'll love you for it.

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

Toasted almonds make a delicious, nutty stuffing for this magnificent roast turkey. Remember, if you're roasting based on weight you should weigh the bird after you stuff it.

To save time, ask your butcher to score the rind and truss whole loin with string. For a crisper crackling, keep pork uncovered in fridge overnight, to dry out rind. Note

A hearty family classic makes a great meal on cold nights.

Soft, sweet brioche makes a fabulous bread pudding, especially when it's liberally studded with dark chocolate and raspberries. Serve warm with double cream or vanilla ice-cream.

Eating brains can be a daunting prospect for some but if you can get over it, these herbed crumbed brains are utterly delicious. They make a very tasty breakfast dish, or a light snack.

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.

There is quite possibly nothing more decadent and rich than this steamed chocolate and golden syrup pudding. Served with a velvety butterscotch sauce, it will send you straight to dessert bliss.

There is nothing quite like the smell and taste of raisin bread with lashings of melted butter. Try this honey and oat version for something different this weekend.

If you fancy a decadent dessert for those long cold winter nights, consider this indulgent caramel self-saucing pudding. Serve it with lashings of thickened cream or ice-cream for a truly warming end to the chilliest of evenings.

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.

From the great British repertoire of recipes with amusing names comes one of the top contenders, toad in the hole. The link between the name and a dish of sausages cooked in batter is obscure, but that doesn't stop it being a tasty, filling plate of comfort food.

Years ago, when the cupboard was almost bare and sweet dishes were simple, your nana made pudding from stale bread and a few cupboard staples. These white chocolate and raspberry bread puddings show just how far we've come since those days.

Nutritionists suggest that we consume at least two servings of fish per week. What better way than these individual fish pies, topped with creamy mash.

On the days where only comfort food will satisfy the hungry masses, this delicious fish pie topped with the creamiest of mashed potato and baked to brown, crisp perfection will fit the bill like no other.

Pork pie is a classic British dish made with hot water pastry that is traditionally eaten cold. This makes it perfect for picnics or even as a quick snack snatched from the fridge while you're on the go.

Back in the day, bread pudding was a practical (but uninspiring) way to use up cupboard ingredients, and fill hungry bellies. This cranberry and fig bread pudding will show you just how far we've come since then.

We love this succulent lemon and garlic rack of pork. Score the fat on top diagonally before baking, and you'll be rewarded with an extra crispy crackling that is easy to snap into pieces and share.

If you're dreaming of satisfying your craving for chocolate, why not try these delectable chocolate and cherry puddings. Serve them piping hot from the oven with a generous scoop of good quality vanilla ice-cream.

Bread and butter pudding is as old as the hills and it's great for using up stale bread. There are many different ways of making it. This recipe is a bit of a departure from the traditional, with the addition of bananas.

As the weather cools off, a luscious hot dessert really hits the spot. This baked pudding is simple and tasty - a fine old-fashioned treat.

Make your custard adults-only by giving it a kick with the liqueur of your choice. We've chosen orange flavoured liqueur for this recipe, but brandy, drambuie or even rum would work, too.

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.

The classic vanilla slice needs no introduction. Here, we've paired the layers of pastry and custard with a bright passionfruit icing for a zesty twist.

A classic Christmas accompaniment.

Sure it's convenient to buy liquid or cubed beef stock from the supermarket, but nothing quite beats the natural goodness and flavour of the home made version. Freeze in convenient batches to use in sauces and gravies.

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 lovely textured lace wedding cakes will make a stylish and sophisticated display on your big day. You can mix and match the colours of the plates, cakes, flowers and decoration to suit any occasion.

It's worth the wait.

A jar filled with this mango and strawberry jam will make a delightful gift for family and friends. It also tastes delicious, so don't forget to keep a jar or two for yourself

Stay cosy indoors this weekend with this hearty, slow-cooked beef casserole topped with dumplings. A side order of mash and greens completes the meal.

Home made baked beans, with bacon, sausages and eggs really is the full monty when it comes to a great breakfast. Toast a couple of slices of good bread, brew a cup of your favourite joe and you're set for the day.

Impress your guests and feast on this succulent baked ham with redcurrant and balsamic glaze, from Christmas through to New Year. Store it in the fridge in a damp pillowcase while you work your way through it.

The beauty of homemade jams are that you can adjust the sweetness to your taste. The addition of the mandarin to this recipe adds a lovely citrus flavour. The jam will be ready when a teaspoon-full 'jells' when placed on a cold plate.

There can be few things as comforting or nutritious as a warming bowl of porridge. Here, we've teamed up the humble oat with this delicious fruit compote to give you a breakfast that will set you up for the day.

Simple, perfectly creamy mashed potato is the ultimate comfort food. Serve alongside just about anything.

Beef fillet is a beautiful, premium cut of meat. This dish can be created successfully with a boneless mini lamb roast or lamb rump. It's all cooked in the one baking dish, minimising the washing-up, and is so easy it could be delegated to anyone in the family.

Sausage and mash is right up there in the pantheon of comfort foods, and this version boasts scrumptious pea and bacon mash with caramelised onions on top. Perfection.

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.

Recipe is best made just before serving. Old-fashioned cast gem irons are available from specialty cookware shops or second-hand shops. Note

It is fine to use just one 300ml carton of cream for this recipe. Note

Give your usual fish pies a sophisticated variation with this smoked fish version. They can go straight from the oven to the table in pretty individual dishes and make a lovely dinner party main meal.

Ditch the stodgy cafeteria food for this perfect lunch box staple that's simple, quick and absolutely fool-proof.

You can use one quantity basic shortcrust pastry instead of the store-bought pastry sheets. Note

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.

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

The only thing better than a traditional carrot cake is one with chocolate. And this recipe with a rich sweet white chocolate icing is naughty but nice.

Take fish 'n chips upmarket with our beer battered john dory and sweet potato chips version. Any other firm white fish will do if you prefer. Finish the dish with slices of tangy, fresh lime.

The combination of tender baked apples, tart raspberries and a wonderfully crumbly quinoa and almond topping makes this healthy fruit dish perfect for dessert, brunch or a sweet snack.