While the kids are baking, whip up these savoury delights to round off a splendid afternoon tea.

Mix up the classic lemon meringue pie by creating cute cupcakes that are perfect as party food or a gift.

These decadent cookies and cream brownies are absolutely divine. Packed full of dense chocolate, crunchy macadamias and delicious biscuit pieces, don't expect them to stay around long!

A family favourite, serve yourself up a big slice of the classic cheesecake recipe. This irresistible dessert has a beautiful buttery, crumbly crust, with a rich yet light, cream cheese filling.

Need a small snack to offer while entertaining but prefer savoury over sweet? These cheese biscuits are just the thing for you but be careful your guests don't gobble them all up before you get to try one!

This decadent Italian pastry is a perfect accompaniment to a hot cup of coffee (or a sneaky glass of brandy). Rich in nuts, dried fruit and dark chocolate, try to stop yourself from just having one.

A delicious mouthful of raspberry and chocolate-hazlenut. Perfect tartlets for any occasion.

This delicious lemon cake for afternoon or morning tea adds almond meal for extra flavour.

Make these cute pink lamingtons with coconut icing for a delicious Australian afternoon tea.

Australian family gatherings or celebrations wouldn't be complete without a pav, especially in the warmer months when all our favourite soft fruit is super-ripe and cheap. Or top with any fruit you like - banana, kiwifruit, mango or hulled cherries are all good alternatives.

Chocolate and cherries are a classic combination. These moist muffin-style cakes tick all the boxes for chocolate lovers.

Strawberry, passionfruit and kiwi fruit snuggle into freshly-baked pastry. Perfect as mini tarts or one large flan.

Embrace your food processor to save yourself cooking time and prepare this delicious tiramisu cheesecake in no time at all. Swirled with decadent dark chocolate and fragrant espresso, this dessert will please all your critics!

This bite sized balls of heaven are beautiful served with a cup of hot coffee or on their own as a sweet afternoon treat. Decadent chocolate frosting is sandwiched between pink and white marbled meringue kisses to create the ultimate petite dessert.

Pork and apple have been paired together for centuries! This simple recipe replaces traditional apple sauce with a fresh and crunchy salsa.

Make this dessert for your friends and family for a delightful sweet treat. Golden flaky pastry perfectly surrounds a sweet, syrupy vanilla, pineapple and walnut filling.

Classic pork chops and mashed potato get a contemporary makeover with the addition of balsamic grapes. These little beauties also go well with chicken.

There are few things more wonderful then a warm, cinnamon sugar dusted donut - it's only made better with a beautiful stewed apple and custard filling.

Budget priced, these white chocolate brownies are delicious with morning or afternoon tea or with a cup of coffee after dinner. But be warmed - you won't be able to stop at one!

These delicious low-fat slices are perfect for breakfast on-the-run, a school lunchbox snack or morning tea with a cup of coffee.

These mini apricot and ginger puddings are wonderfully spongy and bursting with zest, sweetness and fruity flavours.

When two irresistible desserts are combined, you know something magical will be created. This tiramisu cheesecake partners the traditional flavours of creamy dark chocolate and fragrant espresso with decadent cream cheese.

Full of dried fruit, sultana bran and nuts, these muffins make a healthy after-school snack.

These apricot and almond scrolls are a perfect sweet treat for any time of the day, whether its enjoyed with a cup of coffee during morning tea or eaten on-the-go as a work snack.

A delightful buttery slice filled with fruit, nuts and topped with an irresistible lemon icing.

This sweet moist log made with hazelnut liqueur infused sponge, soft sweet apricots and crunchy nuts, is absolutely divine and perfect for a decadent weekend dessert.

This crumbly macadamia and apricot slice is jam-packed full of texture, sweetness and irresistible flavours that'll keep you coming back for more.

This English dessert combines the flavours of banana, golden caramel and condensed milk. All together, topped with cream and chocolate, it's a sweet treat to die for.

This cheesy chicken and vegie bake can be made in individual dishes or one big one. It's a budget family meal that is packed full of flavour and goodness.

The older kids will enjoy helping to prepare this simple nut and cherry tart ... hopefully as much as they will enjoy eating it!

This gourmet version of coconut slice isn't only perfect with a cuppa, but would also make a gorgeous gift. Just wrap slices in Cellophane and tie with a pretty bow.

Pumpkin pie is a popular dessert in the US, but this sweet and spicy dish translates the world over. If you're not a confident pastry-maker, or you just need to save time, you can use frozen shortcrust pastry instead.

Need a fast dessert and no time to hit the shops? Raid the pantry for some canned fruit and then hit the freezer for bought sweet pastry and ice-cream. Voila!

These sweetie pies are delicious with a cuppa or served with thick cream for dessert. They'd also be perfect to pack for a picnic.

There's no cake more Australian than a lamington, coated in thick chocolate icing and covered in coconut. Save time with this quick and easy version of a classic treat.

There are few things more comforting than a big, warm, oozy slice of apple pie with a dollop of thick cream.

This gorgeously dense sweet loaf is packed full of fresh fruit and crunchy pecans and is wonderful served warm with a spread of butter.

Stuffed with a sweet, soft fruity filling, this divine fig and sultana slice is perfect served fresh from the oven with a sprinkle of sugar and a pot of hot tea.

From Southern America comes this delicious cake with pineapple and pecans.

If you've ever wondered how to spin sugar, then this is the recipe for you. We give step-by-step instructions on how to make this pretty spun sugar nest that tops three layers of meringue sandwiched with cream and chocolate ganache.

Sweet, chewy, chocolately and nutty - this divine pecan slice is perfect served with a freshly brewed cup of coffee for a decadent morning or afternoon treat.

Perfect for ladies who lunch, these ribbon sandwiches with either smoked salmon or turkey and cranberry are fitting finger food for any high tea.

This melt-in-your-mouth confection originated in Istanbul in the 18th century and has been around ever since. Try this authentic homemade version and you'll never want to eat the stuff in the packets again.

These cute little cupcakes, crowned with coconut, will melt in your mouth. Quick and easy to make, they're also budget friendly. Serve with a cuppa for morning or afternoon tea or go all out and bake them for high tea.

These delicate apple crumble tartlets are perfect served warm straight out of the oven with a scoop of ice-cream.

Perfect to pop in your Christmas advent calendar or just make as small treats for throughout the week, these apricot and coconut chocolates are absolutely divine.

The light chocolate sponge, luscious cream and juicy berries makes this the perfect afternoon tea treat.

This seafood sandwich filling is fancy enough for high tea at home, but don't let that stop you enjoying it any other day of the week as well.

Give a savoury spin to this traditional French dessert with the classic combination of ham, peas and cheese.

Sweet treats that really take the cake!

To prevent jam boiling over, a large bowl is essential. Quick berry jam will keep for several weeks, or longer, in the refrigerator. Note

Cheese and walnut shortbreads

If you prefer to mix the cake batter using an electric mixer, start on low speed to just combine ingredients, then increase to medium for 1 minute. For best results, be careful not to overbeat. Note

You can replace the marsala with Kahlua or Frangelico if preferred. Note

You can use half brown and half white bread to make these sandwiches, if you like. Note

Reheat blinis on a baking tray lined with baking paper in a hot oven for 5 minutes. They will become crisp while remaining beautifully moist inside. Note

Make a double batch of this slice to cut and freeze for lunch boxes. Note

If you like sweet treats but are keeping an eye on your weight, don’t fill the biscuits simply dust them lightly with icing sugar. If served individually, this will yield 16 biscuits. Note

Antioxidants in berries protect body cells from damage by free radicals, which cause oxidation – a process that is thought to contribute to ageing and disease. Note

Not suitable to freeze. Ganache suitable to microwave. Note

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. You could use double cream instead of mascarpone. Note

Suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Note

Not suitable to freeze. Gelatine suitable to microwave. Note

Curd will keep in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to three weeks. Use 3 lemons in place of oranges to make lemon curd. Note

Suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Note

Use wholemeal bread if you prefer. Note

Ensure the rim of the jar is clean before twisting lid on tightly to seal the jar. Chutney will keep in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months. Chill once opened. Note

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

makes 12 Note

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

Use almond meal instead of hazelnut meal. Note

Sweet, meltingly soft, buttery and light as air... Only the French could dream up such decadence. Surprise and delight your guests with this special occasion dessert from Julie Biuso

No square cutter? Hand cut using a ruler as a guide. Note

Have icing sugar ready in a small sieve to dust souffles as soon as they come from oven. Use hazelnut meal (ground hazelnuts) instead of almond meal. Make your own meal by processing nuts until ground. Note

For extra zing, add 2 teaspoons finely grated orange zest to butter mixture. Use frozen raspberries instead of cherries, if you like. Note

Alexa Johnston bakes a dainty afternoon tea

Decadent bittersweet chocolate and cream make the basic ganache for the centre of these truffles. These delicious chocolate truffles make the perfect after dinner indulgence.