Dessert

This apple pie can be made two days ahead and refrigerated, covered, but pastry will tend to soften a little under the apple. Note

The chocolate and oil for the topping can be melted together in a microwave oven. Make topping just before serving ice-cream. Note

With layers of chocolate sponge, raspberry cream and crisp almond-topped meringue, this decadent cake is irresistible. It looks almost too good to eat. Almost.

No one need ever know that these delicious cakes came from a packet. Jazz them up with a few extras, and everyone will think that you are so creative. Note

Cointreau would work well for the liqueur in this recipe, although if you want to keep it booze free, orange juice would also do. Either way, for the amount of time involved the result is deceptively fancy.

This sauce goes well with steamed Christmas pudding or fruit cake, chocolate pudding, or over ice-cream. Note

This beautiful dessert couldn't be more simple to make, and can be easily adapted for any of your favourite candy bars.

Almond junket is an easy low-fat recipe that is a delicious alternative to jelly.

Equipment: 3 x 12-hole (1/3-cup/80ml) standard muffin pans, 30 standard paper cases. The icing will set quickly, so return it to the pan of water and reheat it gently until it’s runny again. Don’t overheat the icing or it will crystallise. A tiered cake plate is the perfect way to show off these ever-popular patty […]

This decadent tart is beautiful served with thick cream and has a caramelised surface, similar to a crème brûlée.

Roasting stone fruit intensifies their flavour, as well as softening the flesh. These roasted peaches are doubly fragrant thanks to the honey and vanilla pods.

Chocolate sides and curls can be made a day ahead and stored in an airtight container. Decorate cake just before serving. Chocolate can be melted gently, uncovered, in the microwave, or over a small saucepan of simmering water (don’t let the water touch the base of the bowl), stirring frequently. Remove from the heat as […]

Sweet and spiked with liqueur, you can offer Irish coffee in place of traditional dessert.

Use any combination of melons you like. You could prepare this salad the day before, if you like; keep, covered, in the fridge. Add mint and juice to the melons when you're ready to enjoy.

This summer fruit dish is so quick to put together, looks good and tastes great!

These colours are so vibrant together and create the perfect sweet treat.

You will never want store-bought again after trying this delicious recipe for moist date rolls.

These decadent self-saucing puddings are complete with an oozy melted chocolate centre. Serve drizzled with a rich caramel sauce and a dollop of vanilla ice-cream for the ultimate weekend dessert.

If you're looking for a new twist on an old favourite, these little white chocolate lamingtons are the business. Bite-sized pieces of feather-light sponge, dipped in white chocolate and coated in moist shredded coconut.

You'll get more howls of delight than of fear when you bring this spooky ice-cream cake out! A firm favourite from The Australian Women's Weekly Kids' Perfect Party Book.

To decorate the side of the cake with praline (as pictured), spread just the side of the filled cake with buttercream. Hold the top and the bottom of the cake in your hands and roll the cake ­ like a wheel­ in the praline. Place the cake on a serving plate, then spread the top […]

Loaves can be made up to 2 days ahead; store in an airtight container. Loaves are suitable to freeze. Note

Creamy custard, banana and sweet passionfruit are combined to make a delightful tropical dessert in these crisp miniature tarts.

Praline, otherwise known as nut toffee, is a versatile confection and can be used in many ways, but it's hard to go past a sprinkle on top of a dish of ice-cream for delicious simplicity.

Sandwiched with strawberries and cream ice-cream and drizzled with icing, these light-as-air choux puffs are irresistible.

This divine apple cake has a crunchy almond topping and goes beautifully with a morning or afternoon cuppa.

With a delicious almond, cherry and ginger topping drizzled with ganache, these chocolate cupcakes are fantastic for a special occasion.

This recipe is also nut-free, egg-free and gluten-free. Note

Topped with a fresh, juicy cherry, these delicate little cherry almond tartlets make a sophisticated afternoon tea treat.

A fortified wine, like sherry and port, muscat is the result of grapes left to ripen well beyond normal harvesting time, resulting in a concentrated dark, toffee-coloured wine with a rich yet mellow flavour. Note

Chocolate stout is available from bottle shops or online. You can swap it for a dark stout if you like. Make sure all fruit is chopped to the same size as the sultanas. Note

Perfect for a special afternoon tea, this moist chocolate sponge is filled with whipped cream and topped with coffee icing.

Drizzled in sweet lemon syrup, these crispy almond and walnut pastries are a delightful accompaniment to a cup of hot coffee.

This divine chocolate tart combines rich sweetness with salty crunch to create a flavour and texture sensation.

Tia Maria and Kahlua are coffee- flavoured liqueurs. You can substitute your favourite liqueur, if preferred. Note

You can make these egg-and-dairy-free cupcakes in either vanilla or chocolate flavour, or if you're catering for many, make a batch of each.

Blueberries are a powerhouse antioxidant and may help lower cholesterol.

Store slice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Note

This colourful fruit and white chocolate slice makes the perfect Christmas gift.

If preferred, melt chocolate with Copha in the microwave oven on medium (50 per cent) power in 1-minute bursts, stirring after each. Also, to make it easier, spoon the chocolate over the balls and then sprinkle with the coconut or cocoa. Note

Jelly buttons are liquorice flavoured jellies with a crunchy coating. They are also known as jelly spogs. Note

Brownie will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for 4 days; in the refrigerator for 1 week; or frozen for up to 2 months. Note

Rich, chocolatey tiramisu cake with mascarpone cream and plump, fresh raspberries makes a fine end to a special dinner.

These cupcakes are not only sweet and tasty, but are utterly gorgeous too. Make them for your loved ones for a birthday, anniversary or celebration of choice. Divine!

medium GI Note

Dripping with honey and spice syrup, this rich, dense ginger cake makes an elegant end to a special meal. Serve with a drizzle of double cream.

Covered in chocolate ganache, and spiked with sweet sherry, this cherry cake is perfect for a grown-up birthday celebration.

This dessert looks and tastes amazing. The drizzling of toffee finishes it off beautifully; the toffee will begin to dissolve within 10 minutes of drizzling it over the figs, so it is best made immediately before serving.

You need to cook about ½ cup (100g) white medium-grain rice for this recipe. Note

The difference between 100% corn (maize) cornflour and wheaten cornflour (cornstarch) is that wheaten has gluten, whereas 100% corn is gluten-free. The gluten adds height to the sponge and gives it a lighter texture. Note

This basic slice is a great and tasty recipe for beginner bakers.

These pretty jelly parfaits make a delightful kids' party food or dessert. Top with fresh fruit for a colourful flourish.

Meringues can be made a day ahead; store in an airtight container at room temperature. Assemble meringue torte up to 1 hour ahead. Note

For the perfect sweet treat, enjoy a slice of this fluffy banana and hazelnut cake drizzled in hot butterscotch syrup.

If you can’t find Candy Melts, use white chocolate Melts. Note

For a lighter dessert, you could use low-fat ice-cream, omit Maltesers and replace the hot fudge sauce with warmed low-joule caramel topping. Note

When we think of soufflés as a sweet, we often think of the chocolate kind. While you won't catch us dissing anything with chocolate in it, this lemon curd soufflé is sweet and tart and exceedingly delicious.

The autumnal flavours of sweet apple, fig and toasted hazelnuts combine beautifully in this easy tart. Cinnamon sugar is usually available in the spice section of the supermarket. You can easily make it yourself by blending 2 tablespoons of ground cinnamon with half a cup of granulated sugar.

The perfect dessert for the family.

Iced cake will keep in an airtight container for up to three days. Uniced cake can be frozen for up to three months. SERVING SUGGESTION Serve warm as a dessert with cream or custard. Note

If you're looking for a sweet treat that will appeal to young and old and isn't too full of sugar, these frozen coconut bananas with passionfruit dip are for you!

1 x deep 9cm (3¾-inch) square cake pan 1 x deep 15cm (6-inch) square cake pan 1 x deep 23cm (9¼-inch) square cake pan 30cm (12-inch) square prepared cake board or cake stand cake. Make butter cake mixes in batches as they will not all fit together in a large bowl, use three packets first, […]

These impressive desserts are a lot simpler to make that they look, and give the final course a little glamour.

Covered in an assortment of lollies, this gorgeous yellow dragon cake is sure to be a winner with the kids.

With layers of almond sponge, raspberry mousse and cream, this spectacular cake is delectable and perfect for a celebration.

Take an eaton mess, replace the pav with macaroons and add some custard and you have this deliciously layered raspberry dessert in mere moments.

For a gift-giving idea, spray a bamboo steamer (available from Asian food stores) with silver spray, line with tissue and fill with little cakes. Wrap it completely in cellophane and tie with a ribbon. Substitute brandy for Irish whiskey, if you like.

These grilled pears with vanilla ice-cream make a simple, elegant dessert.

It seems counter intuitive to cook fruit in this way, but char grilling caramelises all of those lovely fruit sugars and brings a great intensity of flavour. Whipped cream completes the experience.

These are quite small cakes, so you will need to serve each person two or three. Make sure you use a good quality ice-cream. Note

Flummery originated in rural Britain, where it was made with oatmeal or wheat ears soaked in warm water for up to three days. Over time, fruit and gelatine (or 'isinglass', before gelatine was invented) were used instead of grain, turning it into a jelly-like dessert.

This lemon tea cake is made something special when you layer it with lashings of lemon mascarpone frosting.

This hazelnut and date tart tastes as impressive as it looks. It's a magnificent dessert that is only enhanced by its accompaniment of sweet, sesame cream.

Warm and sweet, these little orange and ricotta puffs make a lovely dessert but are also perfect for passing around at a party.

You will need to cook about 1 cup of medium-grain white rice for this recipe. Note

These delicious and refreshing mango and passionfruit ice-cream pops are full of natural colours and flavours and a delightful treat for the kids.

Put the kettle on and treat yourself to a thick wedge of this gingery lemon and apricot cake, best served with a dollop of yoghurt or whipped cream.

Delight your family and friends with these beautiful lattice-topped pies.

Brought to you by the classic Australian Women's Weekly birthday cake cookbook.