Dessert

Cool 5 minutes before serving over ice cream. Note

It’s best to make Humpty Dumpty several days ahead to allow the glue to thoroughly dry, alternatively, you could use a purchased Humpty Dumpty toy. Help secure collar in place with sewing thread. Sew along folded edge with white thread to form fingers. Sew tartan edges together to form a tube for the arm. Secure […]

Palm sugar brings a depth of flavour as well as sweetness to these delectable little cheesecakes.

Chocolate and prune are a texture and taste combination that was made in cake lovers' heaven.

Sweet and fun honey bees on a stick; great for children's parties.

For a beautiful winter dessert, serve this ruby-red quince tart with scoops of vanilla ice-cream.

Makes about 24 Note

This burnt brown sugar ice-cream pudding with its crushed pistachio praline crust is simply divine.

There's no bowl needed for this easy slice recipe. Just add the ingredients to the tin and bake.

These puffs are best eaten soon after baking. Note

Use any type or combination of berries you like. We used a combination of boysenberries, raspberries and cherries. Note

If cooking in a conventional oven, grease 1.5-litre (6-cup) ovenproof dish. Bake, uncovered, in moderately hot oven about 20 minutes. This recipe is best made close to serving. This quick and easy version of the classic recipe does not require pots or pans, so it’s the perfect dessert for pudding lovers with no time to […]

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

Simple is best when it comes to a refreshing summer dessert, as proven in this lovely dish of juicy orange-infused strawberries, mint and crème fraîche.

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.

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

An Australian/Kiwi twist to pouring custard. Banana custard also makes a great quick pie, just fill a ready-to-go pie case and top with sweetened whipped cream.

Limoncello liqueur is an Italian lemon-flavoured liqueur made from the peel only of fragrant lemons. The peels are steeped in a good-quality clear alcohol then diluted with sugar and water.

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

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

A moist and delicious microwavable cake that tastes every bit as good as an oven baked one. This cake is best made on the day of serving, which is fine because it's just so easy! You're welcome.

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

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

This dreamy cheesecake recipe is best prepared the night before to ensure it sets beautifully.

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

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

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

The perfect Christmas summer dessert.

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.

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.

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

This yummy mango and lime mousse makes a fruity and tangy alternative to the usual chocolate kind. With the slightly boozy and most delicious element of creme de menthe, you have a dessert just for the adults.

Thrill your child on their birthday with this gorgeous hot-pink dragon cake.

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.

Spiced yoghurt adds perfumed creaminess to these peaches caramelised in brown sugar. Caramelising the peaches deepens their natural flavour.

No Christmas would be complete without a rich fruit cake such as this orange-scented beauty.

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

This cake can be made two days ahead. Note

Mint and orange combine to flavour this amazing glazed tropical fruit salad. If you like, serve with a dollop of creamy coconut ice-cream for an indulgent summer treat.

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.

You can drizzle each fig with a little vincotto or aged balsamic vinegar before grilling to add a piquancy to the finished dish.

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!

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.

These rich and boozy dark chocolate truffles are rudely rich and delicious. They make a perfect after dinner treat, just for when you thought you couldn't eat another bite.

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

For an elegant Christmas dessert, try this cheat's ice-cream terrine served with fresh berries. For a more layered look, you could use two different flavours of ice-cream.

This decadent almond crunch is a stunning accompaniment to hot espresso.

Richly spiced, the combination of brown sugar, golden syrup and buttermilk makes this ginger cake moist and delicious.

Use un-iced, unfilled plain biscuits for this recipe. Note

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.

You can serve this delectable cherry and white chocolate ice-cream already sliced and in bowls, or bring to the table still whole and studded with sparklers.

We all love a bit of yin and yang in our lives, and our cooking. Sure, caramel isn't the healthiest thing on earth, but accompanied with these fruit skewers the result is absolutely irresistible.

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.

This divine ice-cream would taste fantastic with fresh or caramelised banana.

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

Freshly diced mango and halved strawberries are a perfect match for this easy summer ice-cream. Note

If you love a bit of confectionary nostalgia, you'll adore our choc-mallow wheels recipe.

Frozen yoghurt can be made up to 3 days ahead; keep tightly covered with foil in the freezer. Note

You can trim the ice-cream slice to fit the lamington, if you prefer. Note

To keep the glossy finish to the frosting, the cake needs to be frosted no longer than 1 hour before serving. The frosting soon dries out, resembling cooked meringue. Note

Recipe is not suitable to freeze. Note

The mixed spice gives a unique aromatic element to this cake, which is kept deliciously moist with the addition of yoghurt.

deep 20cm (8-inch) square cake pan 20cm (8-inch) square cake board (page 334) 30cm (12-inch) square cake board (page 334) You’ll need to buy an 80g (2½-ounce) packet of ice-cream wafers, as there will be some breakages when you line and make compartments in the jewellery box. The cake can be completed at least two […]

This recipe cleverly combines a honeycomb texture with toffee flavours to make a fabulous dipping dessert.

EQUIPMENT 30cm (12-inch) round cake board, plastic sandwich bag, oven trays test kitchen tips If using butter cream instead of the chocolate frosting, you will need two quantities of chocolate butter cream . Use a variety of chocolate bars – such as Flakes, Violet Crumbles or Tim Tam biscuits – for the campfire logs. The […]

Any tart fruit makes an excellent base for a meringue pie, including pineapple and passionfruit, both of which would make delicious substitutes for the citrus we've used here.

Teaming sweet flavours with salt is not a new discovery, but in recent years the combination of salt and caramel has worked its way from the culinary elite to mainstream tastes. And a good thing, too.