Cake

If you like, you can insert skewers into the cake to hold the layers in place while slicing. Cut through the top two cake layers and serve as a portion; cut through the bottom two cake layers as a second portion. Note

Equipment: 30cm square wooden cake board, 15cm square wooden cake board, 10cm square woode cake board, smoothing tools, 2.5cm, 3cm and 3.5cm perspex measures, fine artist’s paint brush, stitching tool, 8 wooden skewers, 3 paper piping bags, vinyl mat tape measure, cotton wool. Use perspex measure to measure sides of cakes for lids. Press the […]

You will need 3 large overripe bananas (690g) for this recipe. Note

Sweet and crispy French-style mango soufflés with chocolate collars from Australian Women's Weekly.

Bamboo skewers are good to use as a guide for the knife as you split the cake. If the cake is large, long skewers can be pushed through the cake, from one side to the other. If the cake is small, use toothpicks to mark the layer. Use a sharp serrated knife to split the […]

Use any fresh berries you like in this recipe. If you only have one patty pan, bake the first batch, then wash, butter and flour the pan again before baking the next lot. Note

This colourful cake is perfect for little kids who love building sand castles and exploring the beach.

The easiest way to line the base of a pan hole is to cut the bottom out of cupcake paper cases; use the correct sized case for the muffin pan. Don’t overbeat the dairy-free spread or it will break down; you just need to break it up before adding the flour mixture. These cakes will […]

Midori, a honeydew melon-flavoured liqueur can be used in this recipe. Note

We used a 35cm x 45cm oval plastic serving platter for the pond; a shallow cake pan, baking dish or shallow casserole dish would also work, depending on the number of frogs you need for the party. You will have about 1 cup of cake mixture left over ­enough for another five frogs. Note

Watch their eyes light up for this happy, smiling flower. White icing is also known as fondant (it’s the traditional icing used on wedding cakes). It is available in packets from the supermarket and cake decorating shops. Note

This light and delicious sponge cake is a quick and tasty treat for the whole family to enjoy.

A fun and yummy cake that's up to no good.

This basic fruit mix is enough to make a pudding (boiled or steamed) large enough to serve 10 people, a regular-sized cake and a dozen mince pies. Note

Delicious little cupcakes that are the perfect treat to celebrate graduation day!

Corella pears have only a short season, if they’re not available use thinly sliced apple, red-skinned look best instead. Note

As the name suggests, pound cakes originally consisted of a pound each of sugar, butter, flour and eggs, which made them very large cakes.

It's 9 o'clock on a Saturday, and the party crowd's already here. They said can you play a memory...and this cake is just what you need! From The Australian Women's Weekly's famous 'Children's Birthday Cake Book' cookbook, you're sure to feel nostalgic when you see this one from your childhood.

Cake pans vary in depth, so if you have a little cake mixture left over, use it to make cupcakes. Use bought sugar flowers of your choice, available from supermarkets and cake decorating suppliers. Remove and discard skewers before cutting bottom tier. White icing is also known as fondant (it’s the traditional icing used on […]

Possums without eyes can be made up to two days ahead. Pipe eyes on the day of serving. Note

The hardest part of making this cake is getting the colours right. Use good quality colourings and you’ll have no trouble. It’s been around since 300 BC… but it wasn’t until 1952 that the first checkers programme was used by a computer. Note

Equipment needed: 9cm heart cutter, 20cm 18-gauge floral wire, wire cutters, 35cm round wooden cake board, 20cm round wooden cake board, 15cm round wooden cake board, smoothing tools, 6 wooden cake skewers, and a paper piping bag. The hearts can be made weeks ahead; store in an airtight container. Position them on the day of […]

Strawberries are jam-packed with the good health-promoting vitamins A and C. Note

You could top the petit fours with fresh raspberries instead of the icing flowers. Petit fours are best made on the day of serving. Note

Equipment 30cm (12-inch) round cake board small new artists’ paint brush The biohazard tape was ordered online from the US. Printing the words `biohazard’ onto yellow tape with a permanent marker adds a visual effect which is just as good, and less expensive. test kitchen tips Use any lollies you like, but make sure they […]

EQUIPMENT 25cm x 35cm (10-inch x 14-inch) rectangular cake board 5cm (2-inch) heart cutter 3cm (1¼-inch) heart cutter Use any shaped cutter for this cake, try snowflakes or stars. You can use letter cutters and write the name of the child on the cake. Use coloured sprinkles that suit the occasion of your party. If […]

Keeping time: 2 days. Note

Personalise the messages scrawled all over this clever cake, which looks just like an inner-city wall for the cake. Note

And this little piggy went all the way to the top of your favourite cakes list! From The Australian Women's Weekly's famous 'Children's Birthday Cake Book', it's the perfect party pick.

You can use 8 x 6cm-square (3.5cm-deep) ready-made lamingtons, if preferred. Note

Equipment; 20cm x 30cm rectangular cake pan; 30cm x 40cm rectangular cake board. Note

You can use low-fat cream cheese in this recipe if you prefer. Note

Macaroons are available from speciality bakery shops and select supermarkets. If you can’t find them, any small round filled biscuit will do. Try mini Oreos or Wagon Wheels, or Monte Carlos. Colour the butter cream, and decorate the robot, using any colours and lollies you like. Fruit Mentos and Smarties come in pastel colours, if […]

If the birthday person is mad about cats, this enigmatic creation will be… purrfection Note

siena cake is a perfect accompaniment for after-dinner coffee. Cut into thin wedges or slices about 1cm thick,then into small pieces Note

You need only slender small servings of this ultra-rich cake, which is why we’ve chosen to bake it in a lamington pan. The layer of marzipan in the middle keeps the cake moist as well as adding to the flavour. Buy the best marzipan (or almond paste) you can find. Note

If you want, yo u can prepare the cake with almond paste (marzipan) before covering it with ready-made icing. Note

Sometimes the strangest ingredients make the best cakes! The addition of mashed potato makes a cake that is deliciously moist.

Equipment: 20cm x 30cm (8-inch x 12-inch) rectangular cake pan, 35cm x 40cm (14-inch x 16-inch) rectangular cake board, wooden skewer and toothpicks. Note

Patch any gaps in the top, sides and base of cake with a little icing. Brush top and sides evenly with a little jam. Note

Depending on the variety of quince used, some will turn more of a rusty red colour while others a deep crimson. Also, cooking time can vary between types, with some needing a little longer cooking to achieve a red hue. Note

EQUIPMENT 30cm x 40cm (12-inch x16-inch) rectangular cake board Wooden skewer Test kitchen tips: If using butter cream instead of the vanilla frosting, you will need one quantity of butter cream. Look for cakes with slightly domed tops, otherwise you will have to trim the cake tops to create the curved book shape. You will […]

Equipment: 3 x 12-hole (-cup/80ml) muffin pans 36 square cupcake cases 2 disposable piping bags fitted with a 1cm plain tube 45cm-square covered cake board Decorations: 36 NESTLE Melts White Cooking Compound chocolate Piping gel 5 ALLEN’S SNAKES ALIVE 3 x 25g packets WONKA NERDS Ropes Wash and dry the piping tube between colours. If […]

Youngsters will squeal with delight at the sight of these cute little pigs. You could easily make a piglet for each small guest to take home. Instead of tinting your own sugar, you can use the packets of coloured sugar crystals found in packets of Monster 5s or Fairy 5s, available from supermarkets. Note

Friands are small French cakes, also known financiers. Note

You will need to buy a 265g packet of small lollipops for this recipe. You should never smile at a crocodile, or be taken in by her welcoming grin, but Clara looks friendly enough — maybe! Note

Don’t be too concerned if your cake has a small dip in the middle; it will be covered with icing. Note

Flavoured Milk Bottles can be found in packets of ALLEN’S Milk Bottle Mania; use whichever colours you like. Remember to remove the skewers from the drawbridge before cutting the cake. Note

Use white Candy Melts in place of chocolate Melts for an extra-white finish. Note

Equipment deep 23cm (9¼-inch) square cake pan 30cm (12-inch) round or square prepared cake board and a bamboo skewer. The cake can be made a day before the party. Note

A cheese slicer makes curls about 2.5cm long; if you don’t have one, use a vegetable peeler, it will make smaller curls. We used a white chocolate mud cake in this recipe, and made a coffee-flavoured ganache to complement it and the chocolates, however, a dark chocolate mud cake would also look wonderful filled with […]

Macaroons are available from specialty bakery shops and select supermarkets. If you can’t find them, any small round filled biscuit will do. Try mini Oreos or mini Wagon Wheels, or Monte Carlos. Note

Whether you're a fan of the original story or of the sassy Shrek cat, this Puss In Boots cake from The Australian Women's Weekly's famous 'Children's Birthday Cake Book' cookbook is an all-time favourite.

Peaches & Cream are found in Allen’s Party Mix. You’ll have about 1 cup of the cake mixture left over; use to make extra cupcakes for the party. Note

The butterflies can be made months ahead; store in an airtight container at room temperature. Tylose powder is a hardening agent, it helps the butterflies maintain their wings in an upward position. Cascading butterflies of just about any colour will look splendid on a tiered cake like this. Keep the colour of the cakes pale, […]

Fruit medley is a combination of chopped dried fruit containing apricots, apples, sultanas etc. Any fruit of your choice can be substituted. Note

Fun, colourful and delicious, this adorable sand castle themed birthday cake is perfect for busy explorers who love spending time at the beach.

Cake is best decorated on day required. Note

This adorable princess birthday cake is perfect for kids who love all things pretty and pink.

Equipment 6-hole (¾-cup/180ml) texas muffin pan 7 x 12-hole (1-tablespoon/20ml) mini muffin pans 1 yellow texas muffin paper case 77 yellow mini muffin paper cases 50cm-square prepared cake board (see basic know-how number 2, pages 160-161) Decorations 85g packet yellow jelly crystals 400g packet Smarties 1 tablespoon orange sprinkles 5cm piece black licorice strap 25 […]

This beautiful raspberry and rosewater cake is perfect for a birthday celebration or a Valentine's Day gift for your loved one. Not only does it look amazing, it tastes utterly delicious.

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

Use small piping bags without a tube or strong plastic bags snip a tiny corner from the bag for easy piping. Prepared cake boards are available from cake decorating and craft stores; you will need one 30cm (12-inch) round board for this cake. Note

This cake is at its best eaten on the same day as baking. Keeping time: 1 day. Note

This pudding can be made a week ahead; store, covered, in the fridge, or freeze for up to 2 months. Brandy cream sauce can be made a day ahead; store, covered, in the fridge. Note

This recipe also makes 6 texas muffins (¾-cup/180ml), bake about 25 minutes. Note

A lolly-packed party piñata that the kids will love.

There’s no need to cover the pudding steamer with foil or a lid because it is covered when the lid is placed on the cooker. Note

This cake needs to be made at least a day ahead. Or, up to 2 days ahead; store, covered, in the refrigerator. Note

Moist and buttery.

You can buy sponge cakes for this recipe, if you like (preferably jam and cream filled). You could also buy a large meringue as well, to break up and use to fill and decorate the cake. In this case, you’ll need half the meringue ingredients only, to make the meringue sticks. Note

Kids will adore this Leo the Lion birthday cake from The Australian Women's Weekly's famous 'Children's Birthday Cake Book' cookbook. He is the King of the Jungle, after all.

This gorgeous layered cake is the perfect balance of sweet and nutty. It's the perfect celebratory cake to serve at Christmas time.

A mint pattie is a round chocolate-coated confectionery with a soft peppermint centre. It is available from most supermarkets. You may also use Griffin’s mint treat bites if mint pattie’s are not available. Note