Treat your little princess to the sweetest birthday cake around this year.

You will need about 12 oranges for this recipe. Gelatine leaves are available from delicatessens and some supermarkets and have a neutral taste and are easier to dissolve than powdered gelatine. If using powdered gelatine, use 2 tablespoons; scatter over warm sugar and juice mixture; stir until dissolved. Note

Allen’s Teeth and Milk Bottles can be found in packets of Allen’s Teeth `n’ Stuff and Allen’s Retro Party Mix. Note

Use a gluten-free packet cake mix for this recipe, if you like. Just make sure the ingredients for the butter cream and the decorations are also gluten-free. Number 4 cake pans can be hired from cake decorating suppliers. Note

We used blue and green Life Savers, mini M&M’s, Skittles and baby jelly beans, but you can use any lollies you like. Note

You will need a pasta machine, cannoli moulds (8cm long and 2cm wide/3¼-inch x ¾-inch) and a piping bag fitted with a 1cm (½-inch) plain tube for this recipe. Note

Violet Crumbles can be substituted with Crunchie bars or any other chocolate-coated honeycomb. Note

Warning, warning… the kids will be back for more of this cute robot cake. Get your little robotics engineer to help with the decorating. Note

The cake mix is enough to make 12 patty cakes, so decorate the other six patty cakes with your own favourite critters & crawlers. Note

Sprinkled with sugar and drizzled with lemon, this basic pancake recipe is a classic for a reason.

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. You could use one of those many pictures, drawn by your little Picasso and lovingly stuck on the fridge, to make the scene for the top of this […]

Equipment 3 x 12-hole (⅓-cup/80ml) standard muffin pans 36 standard paper cases (18 yellow, 18 red) 45cm-square prepared cake board Decorations 1 Killer Python 3 snakes (2 blue, 1 green) 4 x 25g Curly Wurly bars Smarties Piping takes a little skill, practice on a flat surface before you pipe the numbers on the cakes. […]

Make more cakes from any leftover cake mixture if you like. Cakes are best made on the day of the party. Note

Use any remaining cake mixture to make some extra cupcakes for the party. The cake can be completed at least two days ahead. 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

EQUIPMENT 12-hole (⅓ -cup/80ml) standard muffin pan 12 standard paper cases (5 green, 4 brown, 3 blue) 40cm x 50cm (16-inch x 20-inch) cake board You’ll have ¾ cup of the cake mixture left over, enough for another three cakes. Many children like gardening, so take-home treats could be small gardening tools. Use the handle […]

For a dairy-free version of this cake, substitute dairy-free spread for the butter and soy milk for the milk. Note

Naples is widely credited as the birthplace of pizza, where it was originally sold to the city’s poor by street vendors. The world’s first pizzeria was opened there in 1830 and is still in operation today. The beauty of the napoletana pizza lies in its simplicity. We recommend using only the best and freshest ingredients […]

Build it and they will come…and eat it with gusto. The toy tools are readily available from most toy stores. 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

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

Nectarines, apricots or berries would be delicious in place of the peaches. serving suggestion Serve with thick (double) cream. Note

Gem strings on wire are available from craft stores. If you can’t find them, use small lengths of pink ribbon. Note

Calzones are folded pizzas or pizza turnovers filled with good things – one of the best foods ever invented for a picnic, a party or eating on the go. Note

Equipment 22cm x 30cm (9-inch x 12-inch) baking dish 12-hole (⅓-cup/80ml) standard muffin pan 12-hole (1-tablespoon/20ml) mini muffin pan 12 mini muffin paper cases 6.5cm (2½-inch) Heart-shaped cutter 4cm (1½-inch) Heart-shaped cutter 30cm x 40cm (12-inch x 16-inch) rectangular prepared cake board This cake is at its best made a day ahead of the party. […]

A puff of fairy floss makes a soft and cuddly chest for this lovable southern visitor. Note

We used scrap-booking decorations available from craft and hobby shops. This cake can be assembled directly onto a table or covered 24-inch square cake plate. Note

While this is easy to make, it may take a bit of experimentation with your oven to determine the best temperature and to perfect the timing ­ two elements that are critical for the success of this sponge cake. Every oven is slightly different to another, be guided by your oven manufacturer’s instructions. As a […]

You’ll have about ½ cup of the cake mixture left over; make more cakes for a longer serpent, if you like Note

We used a 250ml carton of pineapple juice for this recipe. Note

You will need approximately 1 cup (120g) pecans to make enough ground pecans for this recipe. Note

You will need 12 strong wooden toothpicks, tips broken off into 1.5cm lengths. Note

12-hole (-cup/80ml) standard muffin pan 12 dark green paper cupcake cases 4 paper piping bags plastic wrap We made the cupcakes here, instead of buying them, so we could tint the mixture in camouflage colours. To save time, decorate the tops of store-bought cupcakes with the camouflage icing. Vanilla frosting is available in tubs from […]

Sweet and fluffy pastry puffs filled with a rich chocolate and coffee cream and drizzled with sweet toffee.

A rich brownie cake packed full of the flavours of the muscat grape in both wine and vine form.

Mini versions of an old classic dessert that are perfect for individual serving.

his sensuous curves are easily achieved with simple savarin pans Cut half of one cake in half at an angle without cutting through the base; reserve for the snake’s head. Position butter cream-covered cakes on cake board, with the snake’s head peeking through. Cut even-sized diamond shapes from Roll-ups using kitchen scissors. Place diamond-shaped Roll-ups […]

Dulce de leche is a caramel spread. Vienna almonds are toffee-coated almonds. Note

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 rakish fellow has a touch of the scamp about him. Note

Equipment 22cm x 34cm number 6 cake pan 25cm x 40cm rectangular cake board If you can’t buy green Bubble Tape, you can use grape Bubble Tape or Roll-Ups. Note

EQUIPMENT deep 20cm (8-inch) round cake pan 30cm (12-inch) round cake board (page 334) or cake stand medium piping bag fitted with medium plain tube large piping bag fitted with large fluted tube You don’t need one of those giant cup cake pans to make this cake,­ it’s baked in an ordinary round cake pan. […]

If you don’t have three patty pan trays, just wash, grease and flour the pan again, and continue using until all the mixture is baked. Note

We used pineapple Allen’s Sour Rush Jelly Beans for the feet, but you don’t have to use all the same,­ just use four same-coloured Jelly Beans on each cake. Note

12-hole (¹/³-cup/80ml)standard muffin pan 11 purple standard muffin paper cases 7cm (2¾-inch) round fluted cutter 3.5cm (1½-inch) round cutter 40cm x 50cm (16-inch x20-inch) rectangular cake board (page 68) You’ll have 1 cup of the cake mixture left over; use to make extra cakes for the party. Use any themed scrapbooking stickers you like. Note

This mochacino mud cake is cleverly disguised as a delicious chococolate-infused coffee underneath whipped cream and beautiful latte art!

This recipe can be made 3 days ahead and stored. Note

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

Use Skittles as an alternative to the mini M&M’s. Store the cakes in an airtight container in a cool darkplace. Refrigerating the cakes will cause the colour on the M&M’s to run. Note

An Italian sponge cake named after the city of Genoa that is impressively light, airy and delicious.

This beautiful chef's hat cake is perfect for those who love to cook, or are aspiring chefs.

Was this one a childhood favourite? From the Australian Women's Weekly's famous 'Children's Birthday Cake Book' cookbook, decorating ol' Ginger Neville is sure to bring back fond memories.

Place sultanas in large colander; wash under running water until water runs clear and sultanas are plump; drain well (step 3). Remove rind from oranges with a zester (glacé orange rind). Note

Make one packet of cake mix at a time. Bake two trays of cakes together and, while they’re baking, put the cake mixture into the next two trays. For the best effect, match the paper cases to the colours of the frosting and jelly crystals. Note

This adorable birthday cake is perfect for kids who love animals or spending time in the water.

Helpful hint Pizza cheese is a commercial blend of processed grated mozzarella, parmesan and cheddar cheeses. Use plain cheddar cheese if you like, or use a tasty or mature cheddar for extra bite. Note

You will need some lace, a doily or a stencil for decorating these cakes. Note

Cut a small round from the top of each cake; cut round in half to make two wings (step 7). Note

Do ahead The dough can be made a day ahead. Pear and onion mixture can be cooked 4 hours ahead. Note

Use a pair of clean tweezers to position the tiny Wonka Nerds and other small lollies. Note

Make a cottage for each year of the birthday child’s age and, rather than using fruit sticks for the chimneys, use chunky coloured candles, instead. You’ll have about 1 cup of the cake mixture left over, enough to make another little house. Note