Dessert

EQUIPMENT 25cm x 35cm (10-inch x 14-inch) rectangular cake board 5cm (2-inch) heart cutter 3cm (1¼-inch) heart cutter Use any shaped cutter for this cake, try snowflakes or stars. You can use letter cutters and write the name of the child on the cake. Use coloured sprinkles that suit the occasion of your party. If […]

Keeping time: 2 days. Note

This recipe comes from western Canada. Keeping time: 2 weeks. Note

You will need about 1 bunch of rhubarb for this recipe. Note

You can use 8 x 6cm-square (3.5cm-deep) ready-made lamingtons, if preferred. Note

You will need about four grapefruit for the amount of juice required in this recipe. Note

Kahlúa can be substituted for Tia Maria. Note

Impress your Christmas guests this year with a perfectly-created cake, thanks to this beautiful rich hazelnut fruit cake recipe. Happy baking!

If you have a juice extractor, you can use it to make the pineapple and mango juice. A mouli is a stainless steel utensil used for grating or pureeing. Note

You can use low-fat cream cheese in this recipe if you prefer. Note

If you have an electric pressure cooker you won’t need to reduce the heat to stabilise pressure, your cooker will automatically stabilise itself. Always check with the manufacturer’s instructions before using. This recipe is suitable to freeze. 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

Macaroons are available from speciality bakery shops and select supermarkets. If you can’t find them, any small round filled biscuit will do. Try mini Oreos or Wagon Wheels, or Monte Carlos. Colour the butter cream, and decorate the robot, using any colours and lollies you like. Fruit Mentos and Smarties come in pastel colours, if […]

If the birthday person is mad about cats, this enigmatic creation will be… purrfection Note

siena cake is a perfect accompaniment for after-dinner coffee. Cut into thin wedges or slices about 1cm thick,then into small pieces Note

equipment 25cm (10-inch) round wooden cake board Smoothing tools Set of 3 snowflake plunger cutters (small, medium, large) Fine artist’s paint brush Paper piping bag The sanding sugar gives the snowflakes a lovely texture, however, if you can’t find it, don’t worry, the snowflakes look divine without it. Snowflakes can be made months ahead. Store […]

An easy way to make sure your toffee is cooked to the correct stage and will set hard, is to use a sugar thermometer. Toffee should reach 149°C (“hard crack” stage) on the thermometer. Red delicious are the best apples to use for this recipe. Note

Pie can be prepared a day ahead. Note

You will need about 2 raw potatoes (185g) for this recipe. Keeping time: 2 days. Note

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

Flavoured Milk Bottles can be found in packets of ALLEN’S Milk Bottle Mania; use whichever colours you like. Remember to remove the skewers from the drawbridge before cutting the cake. Note

EQUIPMENT 30cm x 40cm (12-inch x16-inch) rectangular cake board Wooden skewer Test kitchen tips: If using butter cream instead of the vanilla frosting, you will need one quantity of butter cream. Look for cakes with slightly domed tops, otherwise you will have to trim the cake tops to create the curved book shape. You will […]

Equipment: 20cm x 30cm (8-inch x 12-inch) rectangular cake pan, 35cm x 40cm (14-inch x 16-inch) rectangular cake board, wooden skewer and toothpicks. Note

Once they are toffee-coated, don’t refrigerate the pops, as the toffee will dissolve. Serve pops within 2 hours of making. Note

14cm x 21cm (5½-inch x 8½-inch)loaf pan 20cm x 30cm (8-inch x 12-inch) rectangular prepared cake board (page 172) Shaping bath Shaping inside of bath Making rolled edge of bath The bath tub, feet and tap (plus handles) can be completed up to two days ahead of the party. The water (fluffy frosting) is best […]

These tarts must be served warm to be enjoyed at their best. Serve with a good dollop of cream, if you like. Note

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, […]

Patch any gaps in the top, sides and base of cake with a little icing. Brush top and sides evenly with a little jam. Note

Depending on the variety of quince used, some will turn more of a rusty red colour while others a deep crimson. Also, cooking time can vary between types, with some needing a little longer cooking to achieve a red hue. Note

Equipment: 3 x 12-hole (-cup/80ml) muffin pans 36 square cupcake cases 2 disposable piping bags fitted with a 1cm plain tube 45cm-square covered cake board Decorations: 36 NESTLE Melts White Cooking Compound chocolate Piping gel 5 ALLEN’S SNAKES ALIVE 3 x 25g packets WONKA NERDS Ropes Wash and dry the piping tube between colours. If […]

Youngsters will squeal with delight at the sight of these cute little pigs. You could easily make a piglet for each small guest to take home. Instead of tinting your own sugar, you can use the packets of coloured sugar crystals found in packets of Monster 5s or Fairy 5s, available from supermarkets. Note

Angel food cakes contain no fat. Their lightness comes from incorporating air into egg whites and an unusual cooking method. Note

You will need to buy a 265g packet of small lollipops for this recipe. You should never smile at a crocodile, or be taken in by her welcoming grin, but Clara looks friendly enough — maybe! Note

If liked, microwave pumpkin in a little water until tender and drain well. Note

Peanut butter sauce can be made up to 3 days ahead. Leftover sauce can be used over ice-cream. Note

Limoncello is an Italian lemon-flavoured liqueur made from the peel only of fragrant lemons, which is steeped in clear alcohol then diluted with sugar and water. Store unfilled macarons in an airtight container for about a week. Fill macarons just before serving. Note

You can use lemon, lime or blood orange marmalade or your favourite jam instead. Note

store in an airtight container at a cool room temperature until ready to serve. Cake pops will keep for up to a week. Note

These caramels are easy to make for a school fête and gorgeous to serve with after-dinner coffee. Note

You could use frozen ready-made crepes, or freeze your own. The filling needs to be made on the day of serving. Note

Equipment deep 23cm (9¼-inch) square cake pan 30cm (12-inch) round or square prepared cake board and a bamboo skewer. The cake can be made a day before the party. Note

This beautiful raspberry and rosewater cake is perfect for a birthday celebration or a Valentine's Day gift for your loved one. Not only does it look amazing, it tastes utterly delicious.

If plums are not in season, use a 1kg (2-pound) jar of whole plums. Drain, halve and seed them before using. Note

Cointreau or Triple Sec can be substituted for Grand Marnier. Note

Choose freestone peaches as it will be easier to remove the seeds. Note

A cheese slicer makes curls about 2.5cm long; if you don’t have one, use a vegetable peeler, it will make smaller curls. We used a white chocolate mud cake in this recipe, and made a coffee-flavoured ganache to complement it and the chocolates, however, a dark chocolate mud cake would also look wonderful filled with […]

Macaroons are available from specialty bakery shops and select supermarkets. If you can’t find them, any small round filled biscuit will do. Try mini Oreos or mini Wagon Wheels, or Monte Carlos. Note

You can use one quantity shortcrust pastry instead of the store-bought pastry sheets. Note

This is another one of those charming cakes that look so great, but is really quite easy and simple to make. Note

Peaches & Cream are found in Allen’s Party Mix. You’ll have about 1 cup of the cake mixture left over; use to make extra cupcakes for the party. Note

The butterflies can be made months ahead; store in an airtight container at room temperature. Tylose powder is a hardening agent, it helps the butterflies maintain their wings in an upward position. Cascading butterflies of just about any colour will look splendid on a tiered cake like this. Keep the colour of the cakes pale, […]

Fruit medley is a combination of chopped dried fruit containing apricots, apples, sultanas etc. Any fruit of your choice can be substituted. Note

Fun, colourful and delicious, this adorable sand castle themed birthday cake is perfect for busy explorers who love spending time at the beach.

Use white Candy Melts in place of chocolate Melts for a whiter finish Note

Cake is best decorated on day required. Note

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

Equipment 6-hole (¾-cup/180ml) texas muffin pan 7 x 12-hole (1-tablespoon/20ml) mini muffin pans 1 yellow texas muffin paper case 77 yellow mini muffin paper cases 50cm-square prepared cake board (see basic know-how number 2, pages 160-161) Decorations 85g packet yellow jelly crystals 400g packet Smarties 1 tablespoon orange sprinkles 5cm piece black licorice strap 25 […]

This adorable princess birthday cake is perfect for kids who love all things pretty and pink.

Panettone are easy to find around Christmas time, at other times they may not be as readily available. You can use brioche instead, adding a handful of sultanas, or thick-cut fruit bread. Note

Use small piping bags without a tube or strong plastic bags snip a tiny corner from the bag for easy piping. Prepared cake boards are available from cake decorating and craft stores; you will need one 30cm (12-inch) round board for this cake. Note

You will need a 60cm square of unbleached calico. If the fabric is new, soak in cold water overnight, then boil for 20 minutes; rinse well before using. Use day-old breadcrumbs for this recipe. Chop all the fruit to the same size as the sultanas. Wrap the pudding in plastic wrap, seal tightly in a […]

You need half a 1kg (2-pound) can plums for this recipe. You can use fresh plums when in season. Fill pastries up to an hour before serving. Note

This mixture will make 2 cups of mousse. Divide mousse among small glasses for serving ­40ml shot glasses will give you about 12 delicious mini servings. Note

If you can’t find dried cherries, use the equivalent amount of extra dried cranberries instead. Note

You don’t have to use fruit bread, ­you could use white bread, croissants or panettone. Croissants are particularly delicious with the strawberry jam. Note

To make chocolate curls, run a cheese slicer down the back of a slightly warmed block of chocolate. For smaller curls, run a vegetable peeler down the side of a block of chocolate. Note