Kitchen tea

Pairing two of our favourite desserts, rich and creamy cheesecake and decadent chocolate brownies, this dessert recipe is sure to please any sweet tooth. Make a batch to share with your loved ones this weekend.

Alexa Johnston bakes a dainty afternoon tea.

Combine dissolved gelatine and cream cheese mixture at the same temperature to prevent lumps from forming in cheesecake. Note

Traditionally made in autumn to coincide with the harvest, this apple custard cake is a delightful marriage between the tartness of apples and the sweetness of custard and cake.

When you have extra lemons, freeze juice in ice-cube trays for later use. You’ll need about 4 lemons. Note

Of all the fruit and nut loaf recipes, this one by Woman's Day has to be in the top 5. Gluten-free, stuffed with your favourite dried fruits and richly sweetened with brown sugar, it's irresistible.

Drain peach slices well on paper towel before chopping. Note

Take yourself back to those weekends with your grandmother with this light, fluffy sponge cake complete with delectable strawberries in cream.

Nut loaf tins are available from speciality kitchenware shops. Note

To make a light, fluffy teacake, it is important to cream the butter and sugar thoroughly, until mixture is as light and white as possible. Note

You’ll need 1 1/2 packets of biscuits for the base. The filling will keep cooking after the oven is turned off, so it should be just set in the centre, with a slight wobble. Note

You can have a batch of these delicious scones on the table in around 20 minutes. Serve them warm with jam and cream for morning or afternoon tea.

Line base and 2 sides using 1 strip of paper Repeat with remaining 2 sides. These will act as levers when removing slice from pan. Note

Test if the muffins are cooked by inserting a skewer in their centre. If it comes out clean and dry, it is cooked. Note

Store slice in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Use a serrated knife to cut this slice. Note

Rhubarb is available all year round. For the best flavour, choose thin, magenta coloured stalks over thicker green ones. Note

To ripen bananas quickly, place in a brown paper bag in a warmish place until brown. To give the cake a nutty flavor, fold 1 cup of chopped pecans into the mix after adding the sour cream. Note

Roast tomato and goat's cheese tart

A classic Aussie dessert, this beautiful meringue is divine topped with a sweet berry compote to create a brilliant pavlova.

Do you need something spectacular for your Christmas table? Look no further than this celebration Christmas cake. Sophisticated and elegant on the outside, it has the perfect balance of fruit and liqueur on the inside.

Sweet and satisfying, these little baked coconut custard tarts have the added nutty depth of both shredded and desiccated coconut, plus a dash of lemon zest.

If you're looking for a quick and tasty sweet afternoon tea snack these hazelnut pinwheels are the answer. They look and taste delicious and go perfectly with a steaming mug of coffee or tea.

Marmalade is really jam for grown-ups and our grapefruit and brandy marmalade is especially sophisticated. Spread it liberally on your hot buttered toast or scones for an elegant morning snack. Serve with tea for two.

It's always lovely to finish a meal with a little something sweet. Here, we've taken these raspberry friands to a new level of decadence by adding white chocolate.

These deluxe valentine cupcakes look and taste amazing. Filled with the sweetness of chocolate cake and the tartness of fresh raspberries, your loved one will be surprised and delighted this Valentine's day.

It's not quite a turnover, and not quite a strudel, but this rhubarb and almond jalousie is rather delicious. This crispy sweet delight certainly proves that French know their stuff when it comes to making pastries.

The taste of summer, all wrapped up.

These deliciously moist and sweet roasted hazelnut brownies are so rich you'll need just a half-slice with your morning tea to be completely satisfied. Save the other half for afternoon tea!

This coconut cherry slice manages to be just a little bit posh while at the same time packing a delicious chocolatey punch. Enjoy with your afternoon coffee or tea.

These mascarpone matchsticks are quite possibly the simplest dessert in the world to make. Even the most novice of cooks can easily assemble these little pastry beauties. Bet you can't eat just one.

These bite-sized chocolate apricot truffles are not quite as rich as their original cousin, but they are just as delicious. The fruity centre provides a lovely tart and chewy contrast to the firm sweet chocolate coating.

These macadamia and ginger fingers make a lovely gluten-free alternative to cakes and biscuits for morning or afternoon tea. Enjoy as part of your 'elevenses' routine, or treat the kids for their afternoon snack.

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.

For those of you who have not yet tried this somewhat odd combination, don't be put off! This chocolate and beetroot cake is moist and delicious, with a wonderful rich colour. We think you'll love it.

Nougat recipes often require candy thermometers and exact cooking temperatures; this cranberry and nut version is much simpler. It also has a pretty stained glass effect and makes a lovely gift.

These lovely textured lace wedding cakes will make a stylish and sophisticated display on your big day. You can mix and match the colours of the plates, cakes, flowers and decoration to suit any occasion.

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.

The time and effort of proving and kneading your own dough brings with it a certain sense of achievement. The first bite of this tasty date fig and walnut loaf can only add to the contentment that comes with a job well done.

Making your first Swiss roll is a rite of passage for keen bakers, and if you haven't given it a go yet this chocolate log recipe is a great way to try. Covered in chocolate ganache, even if you don't roll straight, the end result will taste amazing.

This delightful spiced ginger and orange biscotti gives a lovely Christmassy twist to this favourite Italian biscuit.

Recipe is best made just before serving. Old-fashioned cast gem irons are available from specialty cookware shops or second-hand shops. Note

You can use any coloured jelly beans you like. Choose a writing icing to match the colour of the jelly beans. Note

Do not be afraid of the humble macaron. Yes, they're tricky, but easier than you think. Don't take any short cuts, use a light touch when mixing, and you'll be well on the way to making the perfect cappuccino macaron.

Back in 1792, two Carmelite nuns dubbed the "Macaron Sisters" baked and sold macarons to pay for their lodgings. Over 200 years later, our love affair with these almond delights continue. These chocolate and cherry macarons are beautiful served with hot espresso.

Ditch the stodgy cafeteria food for this perfect lunch box staple that's simple, quick and absolutely fool-proof.

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.

Fresh corn can be used instead of canned corn; you will need two cobs. Sour cream or yoghurt can be used instead of the creme fraiche. Fritters can be made the day before; top them with creme fraiche etc, an hour or so before serving. Note

This recipe is gluten-free, wheat-free, yeast-free and nut-free. If the coconut is browning too quickly, cover the friands loosely with foil. storage Friands can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Note

Twice baking the choux pastry in this recipe will ensure a perfect result, and the addition of frangelico gives a lovely boozy twist on this French classic. You won't be disappointed, and neither will your guests!

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

Elegant, delectable and delicately spiced, these rhubarb, pear and pomegranate custard tea cakes make a wonderful dessert or afternoon tea treat. Serve warm with good quality cream.

Add a dash of sweet chilli sauce to the chicken mix when making these delicious sandwiches if you want to dial up the drama.

What a stylish wedding or engagement cake this contemporary tower of golden macarons would make! There is some time and effort involved but it's oh so worth it for this grand and elegant creation.

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

You will need about 6 passionfruit for the amount of pulp in this recipe. The cakes are best made on the day of serving. Assemble pies close to serving. Note

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

Do not thaw the frozen raspberries as their colour will bleed into the cake. These cakes are best made on the day of serving. Note

Sweet, juicy peaches are beautiful served atop this golden, crumbly almond tart. Sprinkle with some icing sugar for a quick and tasty baked dessert.

This pear and hazelnut bread are a delightfully fruity and crispy accompaniment to your morning or afternoon brew. They also make a lovely and thoughtful homemade gift.

Loved by children and adults alike, there is something about humble jam tart that still holds its own among today's more upmarket pastries. Experiment with your favourite jam flavours.

equipment 5cm (2-inch) square cutter 4 paper piping bags small stencils (see tips) small offset metal spatula 16 plain coloured paper cases 30cm (12-inch) square wooden cake board (page 208) Square paper cases are available in specialty food or kitchen shops, but we found round cases happily change shape to accommodate the square cakes. The […]

You can use canned pink or red salmon instead of the tuna. Note

Rich coffee custard, glossy dark chocolate and a buttery biscuit base make these coffee custard tarts something a little bit special.

These bite sized baked goodies are somewhere between a biscuit and a cake. They make a perfect treat for high teas or simply a sweet after dinner snack.

A light touch is required to make these strawberry french macarons. Don't be tempted to use more strawberry puree than required or you will alter the texture of the batter. Trust us, the result is worth it.

Gingerbread cases can be made 3 days ahead; store in an airtight container. Assemble tarts on the day of serving. Top with caramel shards just before serving, as they will slowly melt, especially in humid weather. Note

Scones are best made on the day of serving. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in oven, wrapped in foil. Use a zester to shred lemon rind. Note

These beautifully coloured and delicate pistachio and orange blossom macrons are an absolute feast for the eyes. Arrange them in a large glass bowl or on a cupcake stand for maximum Wow! factor.

To pipe the swan’s body, place the tube close to the tray and press down to finish the choux with a small point. To pipe the neck, start at the base of the neck and finish at the head. As you finish the head, press down on the tube to make a point, which will […]

A piping bag — available from cookware shops — is a really handy thing to have. They are easy to use, much easier than you’d expect, and make the dividing up of a mixture into trays quick and efficient. Buy a few different sizes and shapes of tubes — you’ll be surprised how often you’ll […]

Tall 850ml (8cm x 17cm) (3-inch x 6¾-inch) fruit juice cans make good nut roll tins. Use a can opener that cuts just below the rims to cut one end from the can. Wash and dry the can thoroughly before greasing well. Use a double-thickness of foil to cover the top of the can and […]

This recipe is also wheat-free, yeast-free and nut-free. Note

As delicious as these lemon coconut macarons will be once finished, for a better flavour and a more chewy texture seal them in a container and refrigerate them overnight. It is a most cruel exercise in self restraint, but worth it.

You will need about 2 lemons for this recipe. You can freeze the unused egg whites and use them later in friands, omelettes or a pavlova. VARIATIONS You can make this recipe with other citrus fruit, simply replace the lemon rind and juice with the same amount of rind and juice of whatever citrus fruit […]

Perfect for school lunches or morning or afternoon tea, these fig jam and raisin rolls will not fail to satisfy. Spread them with a little butter and enjoy with your next cuppa.

Make these decorated cupcakes for that special someone in your life. Or spread some joy on February 14 and bake a batch for the office.

Soft and zesty, this classic cake should be served with heaps of strawberries to create fresh flavour profiles to complement your afternoon tea.

When beating the egg yolks and sugar, the ribbon stage indicates when you’ve dissolved the sugar and properly aerated the mixture. To check, remove a spoonful of the mixture, drizzle it over the top of the remaining mixture in the bowl; it should hold its shape briefly, before disappearing into the mix. You need a […]

Loaf and oval-shaped pans are available in racks, or as individual pans. It’s the individual pans that need to be stood and baked on an oven tray, simply for easy handling. Note

To give the pastry an extra golden shine, brush it with a little egg before baking. Serve topped with a scoop of ice cream, if you like, or sandwich with some nutella, or jam and whipped cream Note