A row of clown faces on a party table decorated with streamers and party whistles would look great. Pushing the “hair” into the cakes is a bit fiddly, and needs to be done about an hour before the party. You will have enough cake mixture left over to make about another five clowns , you’ll […]

To keep the coconut free of chocolate drips, spread out half the coconut in a tray and coat half the lamingtons before using the remaining coconut for the remaining lamingtons. This gives the lamingtons a clean look. Lamingtons can be frozen for up to 3 months. Note

Equipment 25cm (10-inch) round cake pans 35cm (14-inch) round wooden cake board Smoothing tools 2cm (¾-inch), 1.5cm (¾-inch) and 1cm (½-inch) round cutters fine artist’s paint brush We used the end of a 1cm piping tube to cut out the smallest dots. What a fun cake this is to have at a party -­ a […]

Slice will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. Note

The cake pops are fiddly to make, but are well worth the effort. We used little sugar roses, bought from the supermarket, to decorate the wedding cakes. Note

It is fine to use just the one 300ml carton of cream for the mocha sauce. Note

You’ll need to buy about three packets of conversation hearts to get 16 pink hearts. Note

Both `00′ and bread flour have a higher protein content (12.5­14%) than regular plain (all-purpose) flour (10­12%), and it is this extra gluten protein which gives bread and yeasted cakes their structure. Both flours are sold alongside regular flour in supermarkets. To make dough by hand: in step 3, combine ingredients in alarge bowl with […]

Preserved lemons can be bought from delicatessens and some supermarkets. Remove a piece of lemon from the jar, discard the lemon flesh. Rinse the rind under water; dry, then chop finely. Note

This bright and colourful lime curd, coconut and mango cake is the perfect summertime treat.

Keeping time: 3 days. Note

You need to cook 200g pumpkin to get the required amount of mashed pumpkin. Note

Equipment you will need to make this recipe; 30cm round wooden cake board, 15cm round wooden cake board, smoothing tools, 3 wooden skewers, 2 paper piping bags, 5-petal plunger cutter set (small, medium and large), vinyl mat, ball tool, and 2 fine artist’s paint brushes tweezers. The cherry blossom is the symbol of Japan, as […]

You can substitute white wine, Grand Marnier or brandy for the red wine. Note

Store-bought sponge cakes can also be used in this recipe. 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. Recipe not suitable to freeze. Note

Blow on the candles on this delicate and beautifully styled birthday cake.

Although associated with America, the shortcake in fact originated in England and Europe. In England it was known as shortbread, until that name came to be used exclusively for the New Year Scottish shortbreads. Shortcake can be made a week ahead, assemble just before serving. Store covered, in refrigerator freeze shortcake suitable microwave jam suitable. […]

A sweet, tangy and refreshing sorbetto that is perfect for a summer's evening.

This cake is good for a younger child’s birthday. Use any colours you like. Equipment 32cm (13-inch) square wooden cake board 18cm (7-inch) square wooden cake board Smoothing tools 4 wooden skewers Paper piping bag Tape measure Plastic ruler Pizza cutter Fine artist’s paint brush 5cm (2-inch) round cutter 4cm (1½-inch) round cutter 2cm (¾-inch) […]

Serve this cake warm. Note

Hot chocolate flakes are usually sold in the coffee section of the supermarket. Note

Store slice in an airtight container for up to a week. Note

It is important that the chocolate moulds are thoroughly cleaned and dried before using. You will need to buy three 50g packets of Smarties. Work quickly while making chocolate numbers, as the chocolate tends to set quickly. You may need to resoften the chocolate in a microwave oven for a couple of seconds, if this […]

Black Cats and vanilla Milk Bottles are found in Allen’s Party Mix. Pink and oranges Nerds are found in Wonka Neon Nerds. Note

We used the firm, non-astringent persimmon variety (fuji fruit) in this recipe. Note

EQUIPMENT 20cm x 25cm (8-inch x 10-inch) rectangular cake board You can use a tub of strawberry frosting, if you prefer, place the frosting in a piping bag fitted with a small fluted tube to pipe the rosettes. Note

You need about 7 overripe medium bananas for this recipe. 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 Deep 15cm (6-inch) round cake pan Deep 23cm (9¼-inch) square cake pan 15cm (6-inch) round prepared cake board 30cm (12-inch) square prepared cake board 2 medium piping bags fitted with medium plain tubes Tracing wheel 3 bamboo skewers Use any leftover butter cake mix to make cupcakes. The decorated cake can be completed two […]

The pies can be made a day ahead. Before serving, reheat in a 160°C oven for 10 minutes or until warm. Note

Macaroons are available from specialty bakery shops and select supermarkets. We used ganache to cover the cake as it will set and hold the macaroons in place. We bought 15 packets of macaroons to get the 30 pink, 6 brown, 19 vanilla and 18 light brown colours used in this cake. To save money, use […]

Edible glitter is available from specialist cake decorating shops Note

The cake and persimmons can be made a day ahead. Store cake in an airtight container at room temperature; store persimmons in an airtight container in the fridge. Note

This moist cake can be eaten warm or cold. Note

The sauce is not suitable to freeze. Note

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 cake doesn’t drop from the pan when it becomes cold, […]

This recipe would also work really well with apple. serving idea Note

Delicate and beautiful sweet violet cakes for sharing with family and friends.

You need two pomegranates to give a total of 1 cup of seeds. To remove the seeds, cut the pomegranate in half, hit the outside hard with a large spoon. Most of the seeds will fall out of a ripe pomegranate. Or, dig the seeds out of the fruit with a teaspoon. If you use […]

A 30cm glass stand was used for this cake, but a prepared 30cm round board can be used instead. Fruit can be varied, depending on season and availability. Note

Rhubarb comes in bunches and needs all leaves trimmed away and stalks washed before cooking. Any leftover rhubarb puree is delicious served with muesli or cereal for breakfast, or topped with a favourite crumble mixture. Note

A rich and sweet Turkish pastry held together with dark chocolate, pistachios, walnuts and honey syrup.

To ground walnuts, blend or process until fine. Note

You need 16 x 15cm (6-inch) lollipop sticks or bamboo skewers for this recipe. Note

We used 42 green jelly beans to outline the head of the octopus. Stand cake mixture at room temperature while you bake the cakes in batches. You will have 1 cup of cake mixture left over, enough for another 24 mini cakes. You could add these to the cake to make longer tentacles. Note

You need to buy 2 packets of lattice biscuits for this recipe. The slice will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. Note

You can use jelly beans or rainbow straps to decorate the fish. If using butter cream instead of the vanilla frosting, you will need one quantity of butter cream. Note

Edible glitter is available from cake decorating supply stores. Note

The baking paper strips are used to help remove the cheesecake from the steamer once it’s been refrigerated overnight. Place the steamer upside down on a serving plate, gently pull on the paper strips and the cheesecake will ease away from the side of the steamer. Note

Dark Melts and butter can be melted together over hot water or in a microwave oven on HIGH (100%) for about 1 minute. This recipe makes 17 chocolate spider bodies, however, the decorations are for the seven spiders on the cake. Serve the extras as an accompaniment or, if you have extra Melts and Nestlé […]

Fresh coconut can be shaved into long flakes using a vegetable peeler. Note

You will need a star cutter 3.5cm, and a 36cm x 48cm prepared cake board. Freeze the star-shaped cakes for about an hour, this will minimise the cake crumbs mixing with the butter cream. A circle of magic wands on a round board is a great center piece for a party table. Don’t be too […]

Any poached fruit will work here, but use something with a more robust flavour, stone fruits are a good choice. Note

A French pastry of unknown origin whose modern form was influenced by Marie-Antoine Carême.

We used moscato, a low alcohol, lightly sparkling Italian wine. To line the pan smoothly with plastic wrap, dampen it first. This recipe needs to be prepared a day ahead. Decorate close to serving. Note

Cake pops will keep for up to a week. Note

equipment 30cm (12-inch) round wooden cake board (page 208) 15cm (6-inch) round wooden cake board (page 208) smoothing tools number 3 strip cutter 7mm (¼-inch) wide 3 wooden skewers 2 paper piping bags (page 221) white florist’s tape The strip cutter, used for marking the icing on the top tier of this cake, is very […]

This recipe can be made up to 2 days ahead; store, covered, in refrigerator. Note