Shredded or flaked coconut take longer to toast than desiccated coconut. You can toast it in the oven or in a dry frying pan – either way, you have to watch it carefully. If you’re using the pan method, stir the coconut the whole time, then take it out of the pan the second it’s […]

A rich brownie cake packed full of the flavours of the muscat grape in both wine and vine form.

Tia Maria, Kahlua and crème de caçao are all coffee-flavoured liqueurs; any one of them can be used in this recipe. Note

Bring out this tree with the coffee, suggesting to your guests that they snap off bits of the branches. Or, for an impressive gift, wrap the whole tree in cellophane and deliver it on the day. Drop teaspoonfuls of chocolate mixture along all the crosses to make branches. Note

We used Grand Marnier in this recipe, but you can use Cointreau or any other orange-flavoured liqueur, if you prefer. You need a small, new paintbrush for this recipe. Paper cases can be found in confectionery stores and some supermarkets. Note

Use Skittles as an alternative to the mini M&M’s. Store the cakes in an airtight container in a cool darkplace. Refrigerating the cakes will cause the colour on the M&M’s to run. Note

The piñata is quick and easy to make, but make sure the top edge of the shell doesn’t have any weak spots. If the piñata does break, re-melt the chocolate and start again. The piñata can be made several days ahead of the party. Note

This is an easy cake to make and decorat­ use any cake you like­ we prefer a white chocolate mud or coconut cake. Whichever type you choose, the cake will be heavy to move and lift, so get someone to help. Equipment 45cm (18-inch) round wooden cake board 25cm (10-inch) round wooden cake board 20cm […]

Place the unused vanilla pod in a jar of caster (superfine) sugar to make your own vanilla sugar. Note

Make one packet of cake mix at a time. Bake two trays of cakes together and, while they’re baking, put the cake mixture into the next two trays. For the best effect, match the paper cases to the colours of the frosting and jelly crystals. Note

You can improvise with the ingredients in this trifle. Try sponge finger biscuits instead of biscotti, raspberries in place of cherries and a nut-flavoured liqueur as a substitute for the marsala. Biscotti is available at selected delicatessens, specialty food stores and online. Note

Cake pops can be made at least two days before the party. Note

Cute and fun little nippy the crab cupcakes that the kids will love.

store cake pops without green calyxes in the refrigerator until ready to serve. They will keep for up to 2 days. Note

Milk chocolate is easily overheated, which turns it grainy, so when melting it, make sure the water is at a low simmer, and the base of the bowl does not touch the water. Stir gently until it is melted, then remove the bowl immediately from the heat. Change the recipe by using white and dark […]

Sweet and crispy French-style mango soufflés with chocolate collars from Australian Women's Weekly.

A fun and yummy cake that's up to no good.

This recipe also makes 12 standard muffins (⅓-cup/80ml capacity holes). Bake cakes for 20 minutes. Note

It is fine to use just the one 300ml carton of cream for this recipe. To make chocolate shapes: melt 50g (1½ ounces) dark chocolate; place into a resealable plastic bag. Cut a tiny snip off onecorner, and pipe small shapes onto baking paper. Leave shapes to set at room temperature. Note

This light and delicious sponge cake is a quick and tasty treat for the whole family to enjoy.

Delicious, thin and crunchy Belgian-style chocolate hazelnut thins.

Make sure the rosebuds have not been treated with any chemical sprays. Note

Delicious little cupcakes that are the perfect treat to celebrate graduation day!

It's 9am on a Saturday, and the party crowd's already here. Birthday parties... it's about food, friends and making memories.

One-year-olds may be too young to eat these colourful Smarties, but they will love the cake. Note

Ready-made rich chocolate fudge frosting is available in packets from the supermarket and cake decorating shops. Note

To fold the cream and egg whites into the chocolate mousse mixture, use a large flat rubber spatula. Note

Keeping time: 2 days. Note

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

Kahlúa can be substituted for Tia Maria. Note

M'hanncha, a Moroccan almond pastry, means `the snake' and this coiled sweet pastry treat certainly represents that.

This is a great way to jazz up average pastries or to use 1-2 day-old croissants and pains au chocolat.

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

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

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

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

Cake is best decorated on day required. 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

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

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

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

These come from the Charente region of south-west France. The name generally refers to a nut-shaped puff from that region.

This cake is at its best eaten on the same day as baking. Keeping time: 1 day. Note

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

A lolly-packed party piñata that the kids will love.

There’s no need to cover the pudding steamer with foil or a lid because it is covered when the lid is placed on the cooker. Note

This gorgeous layered cake is the perfect balance of sweet and nutty. It's the perfect celebratory cake to serve at Christmas time.

A mint pattie is a round chocolate-coated confectionery with a soft peppermint centre. It is available from most supermarkets. You may also use Griffin’s mint treat bites if mint pattie’s are not available. Note

Delicious and chewy chocolate Turkish delights with the sweet scent of rosewater and the crunch of sliced almonds.

Cake can be baked and cut into shape one day ahead; keep, covered, in refrigerator if weather is hot. Finish cake on day of serving, as per recipe. The remaining purple jelly can be used to make extra jelly cups. Young explorers will love this cake. The swamp is filled with murky (but delicious) jelly, […]