Strawberries are jam-packed with the good health-promoting vitamins A and C. Note

You could top the petit fours with fresh raspberries instead of the icing flowers. Petit fours are best made on the day of serving. Note

You need an 80cm length of 50mm diameter PVC pipe, cut into 10cm lengths; ask the hardware store to do this for you, or use a hacksaw. This recipe will also fit into six 10cm round springform tins or a 24cm springform tin. Note

Cut the marshmallows using an oiled knife, otherwise it will be difficult. Note

There are usually 22 sheets of pastry in a 375g (12-ounce) packet of fillo pastry. Dried lavender flowers are available from spice shops and online. Note

other ideas: tiny blini or rösti, polenta squares, upturned mushrooms, baby cos or betel leaves, crisped won-ton wrappers or tortilla wedges. Note

You need only slender small servings of this ultra-rich cake, which is why we’ve chosen to bake it in a lamington pan. The layer of marzipan in the middle keeps the cake moist as well as adding to the flavour. Buy the best marzipan (or almond paste) you can find. Note

artist’s fine paint brush 3.5cm (1½-inch) round cutter 12 plain white paper cases large plastic disposable piping bag The cupcakes stale quickly so it’s best to use a fruit or mud cake for the best keeping qualities. The cakes can be made and frozen for 3 months. The monograms can be prepared at least a […]

Don’t have the oil too hot or they will brown too quickly before cooking all the way through. The oil should be between 175°C (350°F) and 190°C (400°F) for deep-frying (a small cube of bread should turn golden in about 30 seconds). You can also pipe the dough over the hot oil, using a small, […]

Use white Candy Melts in place of chocolate Melts for an extra-white finish. Note

Friands are small French cakes, also known financiers. Note

You can make the prawn mixture a day ahead. Store, covered, in refrigerator. Assemble sandwiches on the day and store, covered with damp absorbent paper, in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to go. Note

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

Equipment: 4 x 10cm (4-inch) (closed) springform pans Everybody loves their own individual dessert ­ here, the tropical flavours blend happily with the creamy cheesecake filling. The mango rose pattern is simple to achieve, but looks impressive on the cheesecakes. We used a plain store-bought sponge for this recipe, you can make your own, if […]

You can use any fresh berries you like in this recipe. Note

This recipe also makes 6 texas muffins (¾-cup/180ml), bake about 25 minutes. Note

Silver leaf, available from cake decorating stores, is delicate and fiddly to handle but worth the effort. Note

You need 25 foil petit four cases for this recipe. Note

Mad about marmalade? Then, this muffin is for you. Marmalades come in a range of flavours sweet through to bitter and everything in between. Try a bitter marmalade first, it teams so well with the almonds and the sweetness of the syrup. Note

Old-fashioned cast gem irons are available from specialty cookware shops or second-hand shops. Note

These cakes are best made on the day of serving. Note

Instead of piping the cream cheese mixture onto the canapés, you can just use a teaspoon to drop small amounts on top of the mini toasts. Mini toasts are available from delis, groumet food shops and some supermarkets. Note

Sugar flowers of many shapes, sizes and colours can be bought from most supermarkets and cake decorating shops. Note

For this recipe you need 1 large pomegranate (375g). Note

Make sure the rose petals are chemical-free. Organic petals can be found at specialist cake decorating shops and some delicatessens. If fresh organic rose petals are unavailable, sprinkle cake with chopped rosewater-flavoured turkish delight. Rosewater will vary in strength between brands. Start with a small amount and adjust to taste. If using rosewater essence, start […]

17 paddle pop sticks halved crossways are needed for this recipe. Note

You can use any flavoured jelly you wish. Note

Assemble pastries no more than an hour before serving, refrigerate until required. Note

Equipment 30cm (12-inch) round wooden cake board 15cm (6-inch) round wooden cake board Smoothing tools 3cm x 3.5cm (1¼-inch x 1½-inch) scalloped cutter 3 wooden skewers 2 paper piping bags Tape measure Fine artist’s paint brush 2.5cm (1-inch) perspex measure Tweezers Pale minty green and soft dusty pink blend together for a sweet old- fashioned […]

You need to cook 2 medium potatoes (380g) for this recipe. The scones are best made and eaten on the same day. They can be frozen for up to 3 months.Thaw in oven, wrapped in foil. Note

Variation; for an orange blossom and mint tea syrup cake, omit the french earl grey tea in the cake and instead add 1 tablespoon orange blossom water with the lemon juice in step 3. Omit the earl grey syrup and instead make ‘orange blossom and mint tea syrup’. Serve the cake drizzled with syrup. Note

Use a good quality whole-egg mayonnaise. Note

A charmingly simple way to decorate and serve delicious fresh strawberries - either as a simple treat on their own or with ice-cream for a more substantial dessert.

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

EQUIPMENT 12 plain white paper cases Large piping bag 1cm (.-inch) plain piping tube Cupcakes stale quickly, so it’s best to use a fruit or mud cake for the best keeping qualities. The cakes can be made and frozen for about 3 months. Choose the cake you like, then a type of jam, or a […]

This recipe also makes 6 texas muffins (¾-cup/180ml); bake about 40 minutes. Note

Grand Marnier or Cointreau can be used for the orange-flavoured liqueur. Store truffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. Truffles, without cocoa coating, can be frozen for up to 3 months. Remove from freezer 1 hour before serving and dusting with cocoa. Note

Flaked coconut can be bought from a store which stocks Indian and Fijian food. Note

Use frangelico (hazelnut) or crème de cacao (chocolate) flavoured liqueurs. Cut cakes with a serrated knife. Note

Éclairs are best made on day of serving, but do not fill until ready to serve. Unfilled éclairs can be frozen. Note

Sandwiches can be made up to two hours before the picnic. Note

Dried lavender is available from selected delis and spice shops. If you prefer, you can use 1 teaspoon finely grated orange or lemon rind instead. Note

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