A sun-kissed curd by Sarah Bowman

A classic dessert, this super sweet sticky date pudding is beautiful served warm topped with butterscotch sauce and a drizzle of fresh cream.

Xanthan gum is used in gluten-free baking to improve texture and minimise crumbling. Note

The cake can be made a day ahead and stored in an airtight container in a cool dark place until you’re ready to ice and decorate it. Try using a little buttercream to keep the Tic Tac mints in place. Note

Bring eggs to room temperature for maximum volume when beating. Sift the dry ingredients together for lighter results and better volume. For a lighter sponge, replace the flour in this recipe with 3/4 cup cornflour, 1 tablespoon plain flour and 1 teaspoon baking powder. Substitute 2 teaspoon golden syrup and 1 tablespoon boiling water for […]

If you prefer, you can use regular cocoa powder in this recipe instead of Dutch cocoa powder. You can replace mascarpone with cream cheese, if you like. Note

There are various varieties of coffee flavoured liqueur available, such as Kahlua or Tia Maria. Note

White chocolate cheesecake and mixed berries

A deliciously moist and easy-to-make zucchini and pecan loaf. Grated zucchini in the batter brings moisture and a tender texture to what is essentially a spice cake.

Replace almond meal in filling with pistachio meal by processing 1 1/3 cups shelled pistachios until ground. Replace cherries with a 410g can drained and chopped pear halves. Note

Self-saucing puddings need to the served immediately, as the pudding soaks up the sauce on standing, so tuck in! Note

If preferred, you can use dried shaved coconut available at Asian food stores, instead of fresh. Rinse the vanilla bean after use and place on paper towel until dry. Keep in a sealed container to use again, or pop into your caster sugar canister to make vanilla sugar. Note

Tapioca pearls are available from Asian supermarkets and health food stores. You can use light coconut milk if you prefer. Note

To transport, leave pudding in the basin and cover with baking paper and foil. Place sauce in an airtight container. To reheat, invert onto a plate. Microwave at 50% (medium) for 5 mins, until heated through. Microwave sauce at 50% (medium) for 2 mins, stirring halfway, until heated. Note

These puddings can be made in advance and stored for up to one month in the refrigerator simply steam to heat when you’re ready to serve. Note

If you’re time-poor, you can buy an un-iced chocolate cake from the supermarket, cut into 3cm slices and then cut into rounds using a 7cm cookie cutter. To serve, combine 1 1/2 tsp of instant coffee with 2 tbsp boiling water. Pop each cake into the microwave for about 20 seconds to warm through, then […]

Stored in an airtight container, caramel popcorn will keep for one week. Note

This affogato takes it to the next level, with praline ice cream. Place a large scoop of ice-cream into a bowl and serve with biscotti and a shot of espresso on the side.

TO HANG YOUR COOKIES, CUT A HOLE IN THE TOP OF EACH ONE BEFORE BAKING. Note

On a hot summer’s evening, this dessert is a fruity, refreshing treat. Pineapple delivers a burst of vitamin C along with the mineral manganese (for bone building). Lime aids digestion, while pomegranate is high in antioxidants and may help lower LDL cholestrol. Note

Berries give this breakfast an antioxidant punch. Honey has antibacterial properties, while the yoghurt’s active cultures help maintain your gut’s balance of good bacteria. Note

Vanilla bean sweet shortcrust pastry is sold at all good delicatessens. Note

If you don’t have a brulee torch, you can heat a large metal spoon over a naked gas flame. Then simply run it over the surface of the brulee to caramelise the sugar. Note

Vanilla sugar: Add used vanilla beans to a jar of sugar to infuse it with flavour. Note

Blueberries are antioxidant-rich and have anti-ageing, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties Note

Berries are one of the richest sources of vitamin C and also have excellent antioxidant qualities. Note

This Ice-cream has half the sugar and uses honey which gives it a lot more flavour.

Few things say winter is coming like a homemade apple pie. And this one with its buttery crust is an absolute winner!

Follow these simple directions from Sarah Bowman and your destination will be dining delight

Alexa Johnston presents a classic pudding just waiting for a dousing in custard or a dollop of cream

When making the filling it’s not absolutely necessary to repeat the watering, swishing and mixing process six times, but it does help make it a softer cream filling (lighter than standard butter cream) as well as removing any grit left from the sugar. Note

Equipment Knife; food processor; 12 x 1/2 cup capacity muffin fin and large paper cases (or use 12 x 1/2 cup capacity strong-sided paper cases and baking tray), teaspoon; silicone spatula wooden spoon. Note

Treat yourself to a cafe-worthy breakfast with these irresistibly fluffy buttermilk pancakes. Paired with fruity, creamy ricotta and drizzled in plenty of maple syrup, these pancakes are a weekend winner

Granny Smith apples are crisp, juicy and tart. They also hold up well during baking, which makes them perfect for using in apple pies, crumbles, etc. Note

EQUIPMENT: 25 cm x 38 cm non-stick baking tray with raised edges; baking paper; food processor; medium heavy-based saucepan; wooden spoon; microwave or double saucepan; spatula; sharp knife Note

You need ready-cooked Christmas pudding for this recipe. Equipment; medium saucepan; 2 medium mixing bowls; electric mixer; large mixing bowl; large metal spoon; 8-cup (2-litre) pudding basin; cling wrap; microwave-proof jug; platter; large knife Note

Make these a few days before Christmas and keep them sealed in an airtight container until the big day. Then hang them on the tree. Equipment Sieve, 2 baking trays; baking paper; food processor; large mixing bowl; rolling pin; 10CM x 10cm (at widest point) Christmas-tree shape metal cookie cutter; thick skewer or chopstick: wire […]

When the weather starts to cool down, indulge in this aromatic apple pie recipe that is filled with Granny Smith apples and is tucked away into a buttery and golden pie crust.

Equipment Food processor; 22cm springform cake tin; baking paper; mixing bowl; electric beaters; wooden spoon; metal skewer or toothpick; fine sieve Melt chocolate: Break chocolate into small uniform chunks and place in a heatproof bowl(or double boiler pan if you have one). Find a bowl that fits snuggly your saucepan so no water can come […]

These little pots of chocolate nutty indulgence are perfect for dinner parties. Whip them up the day before and sprinkle with the praline topping just before serving. Simple! Don’t stir the toffee once it has started to boil as it will crystallize. Note

Gift idea: Spoon leftover fruit mince into sterilised jars, seal, decorate with ribbon and attach the fruit mince recipe, printed on card. Note

If you have a sugar thermometer cook the toffee to 150°C (300°F). Note

Ice cream tacos with strawberry, tequila and lime salsa brought to you by Real Living

Caramelise the topping at the table to really impress your dinner guests. Note

This scrumptious lemon delicious pudding is ready in less than 30 minutes and is perfect enjoyed for a sweet afternoon tea treat that is great accompanied with a hot cup of tea or coffee.

If fresh peaches aren’t in season, simply use eight halves of the canned variety. Note

Frangipane is a pastry filling usually made with almond meal; here we’ve used hazelnut. We baked our tartlets freeform (without tins) as this given them a lovely rustic look. Equipment: Sharp knife, 2 baking trays; baking paper; large mixing bowl; electric beaters; whisk; rubber spatula; fork; pastry brush Buerre Bose is the best variety of […]