Carrot cake is always a winner, and the addition of a little mixed spice to this recipe takes it to a new level. This gluten free version is super moist and perfect for the kids' lunch boxes or after school snack.

Gourmet, decadent, luxurious, rich. All of these will come to mind when you see this glorious stack of pancakes coming your way for Sunday brunch.

These lemon tartlets have just the right amount of sweetness and tartness. Using ready made pastry means that they are easy to prepare and perfect for fussy cooks who are short on time.

These crusty cheese and mustard dampers are best served piping hot, straight from the oven. They are the perfect on their own or alongside a steaming bowl of hot soup and will fill your kitchen with the most delicious aroma.

Give your child's birthday a fun nautical theme with this delightful Wally whale birthday cake, if you make the cake the day before and freeze it, it will be easier to decorate.

If you don't already have a go-to recipe for chocolate cupcakes, you do now. This classic version is made even better when topped with the rich, fudgy frosting. Perfect for kids' parties or an after school treat.

Stollen is a traditional German cake-like bread eaten at Christmastime, when it is called Winterbrot (winter bread). Packed with candied and dried fruit, we think it should be enjoyed all year 'round.

Making your own pasta dough is incredibly satisfying and easier than you might think. You do need a pasta machine, but the investment is worthwhile; just one bite of freshly made pasta and you'll see why.

In a book dating back to my great-grandmother, there is this recipe for traditional Danish pancakes. It was the one my grandmother used to serve at family gatherings in December. In the part of Jutland, Denmark, that my family comes from, they make a sweet prune compote and add about a teaspoon of it to every aebleskive before turning them over. They are called "aebleskive with music".

Give this traditional Aussie bread a boozy, fruity makeover with this rum and raisin damper recipe. Cooked in a campfire oven or in the comfort of your kitchen, it's the real deal. Serve piping hot with lashings of butter.

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’s important to measure the closed springform pan, the measurement appearing on the base of the springform pan sometimes refers to the measurement of the pan when it is open. Note

This pudding goes straight to the top of the favorites list when it comes to classic winter warming desserts.

These two classic sweet treats just got even sweeter, as they have merged into a fabulous fun cupcake.

These Middle Eastern biscuits are perfumed with orange flower water.

Be aware that chapatis need to be cooked over a flame to achieve the blistered appearance. Note

You could use any Christmas cookie cutter to make these biscuits, but angels and snowflakes work the best.

When you drop the whoopie pie mixture onto trays ensure that the mixture is in round shape. The shape that the mixture is dropped onto the trays will be similar to the cooked shape. Note

Equipment: 2 x 10cm (4-inch) round cardboard cake boards. 10cm (4-inch) round wooden cake board 2 x 12cm (4¾-inch) round wooden cake boards. 6 wooden skewers. Use ganache instead of butter cream, if you prefer. Once the cakes are covered in butter cream or ganache, they will keep for about a week at a cool […]

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.

Keeping time: 3 days. Note

Be sure to remove toothpick before cutting and serving cake. Mark and cut cake into shape of plane. Trim cake to make it a more rounded shape. Cut cake on an angle from tail end so it appears to be taking off. Write child’s name on back of cake, if desired. Note

butter cream Beat butter in small bowl with electric mixer until as white as possible. Gradually beat in half of the icing sugar, milk, then remaining icing sugar; tint butter cream with purple food colouring. Use any soft jubes or jellies you like for the decorations. Note

12-hole (-cup/80ml) muffin pan 12 paper muffin cases decorations 2 blue NESTLE SMARTIES 2 NESTLE MILKYBAR Buttons 1 ALLEN’S Peaches & Cream 1 orange ALLEN’S SNAKES ALIVE orange sprinkles 12 caramel ALLEN’S Milk Bottle Mania 4 strawberry ALLEN’S Milk Bottle Mania 7 ALLEN’S Strawberries & Cream All the lollies used here have been cut into […]

two deep 23cm (9¼-inch) round cake pans 25cm (10-inch) round cake board or serving plate Ice-cream cake and cookies can be prepared one day ahead. Store cookies in an airtight container. Use regular ice-cream for best results, high or low fat ice-creams are not suitable. Assemble cake just before serving. Use a serrated knife to […]

These delicate passionfruit butter cakes are deliciously sweet and tangy.

This fun construction-site themed birthday cake is great for young children who love getting messy and playing with trucks.

6-hole (¾-cup/180ml) texas muffin pan 2 x 12-hole (1-tablespoon/20ml) mini muffin pans 15 mini muffin paper cases (red) 40cm x 50cm (16-inch x 20-inch) rectangular cake board (page 334), see tips 40cm (16 inches) black licorice strap 250g (8-ounce) packet Musk Sticks 1 pink Smartie 4 red sour straps 35g (1-ounce) tube mini M&M’s 35g […]

Use a clear, carbonated lemonade for this recipe for a light-textured scone. You can replace the thickened cream with clotted cream or whipped thickened cream. Scones are best made on the day of serving. Note

Edible glitter is available from specialist cake decorating shops. Long (30cm) pipe cleaners, sometimes known as tinsel sticks, are available from craft stores. Note

EQUIPMENT 35cm (14-inch) round cake board 8cm (3¾-inch) round cutter 3 long bamboo skewers We only used the white marshmallows from the packets of marshmallows; serve the pink marshmallows at the party. You can make the castle pink and white if you like; in this case you will only need 4 packets of marshmallows. Use […]

Black sesame ice-cream makes this dish, its nutty sweetness lifts the pancakes to another level.

Upside down cake is a classic afternoon tea snack, but can also be presented as an impressive dessert.

It is fine to use two 300ml (or one 600ml) cartons of cream for this recipe, so as not to waste the remaining 20ml. Note

Buy drinking straws in three colours if you can, and match them to their corresponding cake pops. Note

This recipe is easy to make, easy to freeze, moist and delicious. A winner on all fronts.

The smooth flavour of mocha in a freshly baked, moist cake is irresistible. This cake will keep for up to 2 days, but we're sure it won't last that long!

equipment 12-hole (½-cup/125ml) friand pan 5 strong wooden toothpicks 35cm x 40cm prepared cake board (see basic know-how number 2, pages 160-161) medium gum-leaf cutter You’ll have about 1 cup of the cake mixture left over, enough to make another four balloons. The balloons are not difficult to make, but getting the sides of the […]

The pan is measured at the top, not the base. It’s important to not grease the tube pan, the cake mixture needs to cling to the pan as it rises during the baking process. Tube pans are large smooth-sided ring pans with small “feet” to support the inverted pan while the cake cools. If the […]

equipment 30cm x 45cm prepared cake board, strong wooden toothpick decorations 27 Maltesers, approximately 2 green snakes, halved lengthways 5 mint leaves 3 yellow ready-made icing flowers 3 foil-wrapped chocolate ladybirds If Easter eggs aren’t available, you can use Kinder Surprise eggs. We’ve made quite a long wall out of bought lamingtons; you could have […]

This type of bread involves a few more steps than a usual loaf, but is definitely worth the time. The aromas of delicious, warm, fresh baked bread will fill the kitchen, building the anticipation for the final, delectable result.

Baked on lollipop sticks, these raspberry and lemon curd heart biscuits will be a smash hit at kids and grown-up parties alike.

these delicate biscuits can be coloured to suit your theme; they look lovely in one colour, or layered using different colours, however, it is quicker and easier to ice the biscuits in the same colour. equipment 6.5cm (2½-inch) round cutter 5cm (2-inch) round cutter 3.5cm (1¼-inch) round cutter 6 paper piping bags (page 221) tweezers […]

A good basic, light cake that is perfect as a base for kids' birthday cakes. It is also nice plain or with cream and berries.

20cm (8-inch) round cardboard cake board10cm (4-inch) round cardboard cake board30cm (12-inch) round cake board10cm (4-inch) round cutter Use regular hundreds andthousands for a brighter,less pastel, cake. Note

Sweet, chewy coconut macaroons studded with tart dried cranberries and white chocolate chunks.

Store in an airtight container for up to two days. Note

You need to start the recipe the day before. Note

Simple and elegant, these dainty little cupcakes are a delicious treat to share for dessert or a special afternoon tea.

You can buy cooked crab meat at the local fish markets or supermarket. Alternatively, buy fresh crabs and cook them (blue swimmer crabs are good). To tell if crabs are meaty, look at the claws; if they are pointy and sharp it means they have a new shell and don’t have much meat. If the […]

You will need to grate about 3 carrots for this recipe. Use the grating blade of the processor if desired. Note

Fun, colourful and utterly delicious, this cute jellyfish birthday cake is perfect for an under-the-sea style kids party or animal lovers.

Two is never terrible when it comes to this delightful birthday cake by the Australian Women's Weekly. Buttercream hides a multitude of sins, so don't worry about any little mistakes!

equipment deep 26cm x 36cm baking dish 30cm x 46cm covered cake board (page 110) decorations 3 red ALLEN’S SNAKES ALIVE 1 each orange, yellow and green ALLEN’S SNAKES ALIVE 2cm silver disco ball silver edible glitter 52 ALLEN’S MARELLA Jubes 1.3 metres silver sequined ribbon Edible glitter is available from specialist cake decorating shops. […]

We used small (15cm/6 inch diameter) packaged pizza bases for this recipe. A Mexican staple, frijoles refritos (refried beans) are sold canned in supermarkets. You will also find spicy tomato salsa in supermarkets. Note

Butter cream frosting Beat butter in small bowl with electric mixer until light and fluffy; beat in sifted icing sugar and milk, in two batches. Divide mixture among four small bowls. Add chopped chocolate to one and sifted cocoa to another. Using colouring, tint one pink and leave one plain. Note

Pullaparts are best eaten on the day of baking. Note

If liked, sprinkle the top of the damper with some extra grated cheese before baking. Replace chives with a combination of other herbs like parsley and thyme, or use some Aussie flavourings such as lemon myrtle and dried bush tomato. Note

It's time to jazz up the classic fruit cake to be enjoyed at any time for any season or occasion.

We used blue sugared almonds, available from confectionery and speciality nut shops, but you can use any colour you like. Note

To save waste you could use the different coloured fondant sections from the licorice allsorts and decorate each cake with a different colour. Note

This recipe is simple and oh so sweet, but the best part? It uses less refined sugar, and instead opts for the delicious natural sweeteners of dates and honey. Bonus!

These syrup-soaked milk balls are similar to sponge cake in texture. Popular in India and Pakistan, gulab jaman are usually served in syrup spiced with cinnamon, star anise and cardamom, and flavoured with rosewater.

Keeping time: 3 days. Note

Give your regular damper a herbal lift with this cheesy rosemary version. Serve it as a snack, or alongside your favourite hearty soup.

It is fine to use just one 300ml carton of cream for this recipe Individual puddings will take about 30 minutes to cook. Note

pesto Note

deep 20cm (8-inch) square cake pan 25cm (10-inch) square prepared cake board small piping bag fitted with small plain tube You might need to buy two 100g (3-ounce) packets Mallow Bakes. Use sharp scissors to cut Mallow Bakes in half. This cake can be made a day ahead Note

Beautiful and delicate flower cakes to impress your dinner guests.

This fun and pretty cake is extremely easy to make and tastes absolutely divine. The kid's will love the look and taste of their doughnut stack birthday cake.

Recipe is best made just before serving. Use the jam of your choice in this pudding. Note

You will have about 1 cup of the cake mixture left over. Note

These rich and zesty cupcakes, topped with cream and lemon curd, make a great afternoon tea treat.

These beautiful cupcakes are delightful for special occasions. The food colour and berry type can also be changed to suit a different colour palate if preferred.

Have a crack at this easy scone recipe then try different flavour variations - from lemon and currant, cumin and oregano to apricot wholemeal.

Accompany fritters with a salad for a light meal or serve them as a side dish if preferred. Fritters can be cooked a day ahead. Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Place fritters on an oven tray and reheat in a 150°C oven as required. Note

These light and fluffy cookies are so lifelike they look as though they have fallen straight off the tree. They are exceptionally lovely served with a bowl of vanilla-bean ice-cream. If the dough doesn’t spread to fill inside the cutters, use a skewer to push the dough into the points of the cutters. The leaves […]

These brownies are very fudgy; refrigerate for several hours to make cutting them easier.

Use a small amount of buttercream to attach the ears and nose to face. Make sure you buy the large marshmallows that look as if they’ve been piped, with a soft tip at the top. Note

Stencils are available from cake decorating suppliers and craft stores. FLUFFY MOCK CREAM Note