Dates

If a thicker crust is preferred, double the ingredients and continue as directed. Just remember that this will increase the fat and kilojoule count. Note

This “sticky” dough will get easier to roll at room temperature, so avoid adding extra flour. Note

For a touch of spice, add 1 teaspoon mixed spice with the sifted flours. Note

Wrap cooled loaves in a layer each of plastic wrap and foil, and store in an airtight container for up to one week. Note

The addition of buttermilk makes these scones particularly light. Scones are best baked immediately after mixing, and in a hot oven, to ensure maximum rise

Lamb filling suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Note

Packed with nuts, dried fruit and spices, this dense and rich panforte is a decadent classic Italian Christmas cake. Dust with icing sugar, cut into wedges and serve with coffee.

If you fancy a decadent dessert for those long cold winter nights, consider this indulgent caramel self-saucing pudding. Serve it with lashings of thickened cream or ice-cream for a truly warming end to the chilliest of evenings.

When you are blessed with an over abundance of beautifully ripe and juicy stone fruit, consider taking a culinary trip to the Middle East with this fresh peaches and dates with orange blossom recipe.

This is the perfect cake to serve at the end of an Italian meal, or with a cup of espresso when friends drop by in the late afternoon.

The time and effort of proving and kneading your own dough brings with it a certain sense of achievement. The first bite of this tasty date fig and walnut loaf can only add to the contentment that comes with a job well done.

The sweetness of the dates and the sourness of the tamarind combine to give you wonderful for a sandwich or burger condiment. It is packed full of flavour and spice to create a real taste sensation.

This chutney is an excellent accompaniment to cheese or cold meats, and is also delicious served with a curry.

This deliciously sweet dried fruit chutney goes perfectly on sandwiches, with roast meat, or on the side of a spicy Indian curry.

A healthy, sweet and delicious warm beef, orange and date salad from Australian Women's Weekly.

The cake is best made on the day of serving. Note

Sprinkled with coconut, this chewy date slice is divine with a hot cup of tea.

high GI Note

These muffins are delicious without the orange sauce. However, the rich buttery sauce transforms them into a dessert for grown-ups. Grand Marnier (or brandy) is the best liqueur to use. Remember to grate the rind of the oranges before you juice them. If the muffins need re-heating, 20 or 30 seconds in a microwave oven […]

If you have overnight guests or friends coming for breakfast, prepare the recipe ahead for a breakfast of muffins fresh from the oven! The muffin batter is partially made the day before and refrigerated overnight, needing only a few more minutes of preparation before baking and serving. Note

This easy cake, made in a single saucepan, is delicious served warm with cream, custard or ice-cream, cold with butter, or just on its own.

Moist date muffins with orange syrup from Australian Women's Weekly.

Dried fruit chutney of apple, date, apricot, pineapple and raisins with a pinch of cinnamon.

A torte is traditionally a layered cake with buttercream type frosting. Of course they can always be adapted to the size, flavours and styles you prefer.

This saucy and delectable dessert is the perfect thing to impress your guests over the dinner table.

Keeping time: 3 days. Note

The addition of the cream cheese gives this luscious cake an especially moist, rich quality.

These brownies are very fudgy; refrigerate for several hours to make cutting them easier.

This great British pickle is wonderful served with hamburgers, grilled meats or with cold meats on sandwiches.

These moreish cookies go perfectly with a cold glass of milk.

Buy fresh filo from the refrigerated section of the supermarket as it is easier to work with than frozen filo pastry, which has a tendency to be brittle and crack. Note

They say when it comes to food, looks do matter. So try this nifty new look when next baking a loaf.

Tall 850ml (8cm x 17cm) (3-inch x 6¾-inch) fruit juice cans make good nut roll tins. Use a can opener that cuts just below the rims to cut one end from the can. Wash and dry the can thoroughly before greasing well. Use a double-thickness of foil to cover the top of the can and […]

The pudding is at its best made on the day and served hot. The big day wouldn’t be complete without a pudding of some sort. If there’s a large crowd, especially where you have a range of different age groups, it’s a good idea to serve both a hot pudding – either traditional, or one […]

Granny Smith apples are best for this recipe. Store chutney in a cool, dark place for at least three weeks before opening. Refrigerate after opening. Note

Keeping time: 3 days. Note

Sweetened with maple syrup and served with whipped maple butter, this moist date loaf is the perfect afternoon tea cake.

Scones are a classic in the United Kingdom but have also quickly gained popularity throughout the world, especially for high tea.

Filled with almond frangipane and sweet dates, this stunning tart is absolutely delicious served with whipped cream and a pot of hot coffee.

SERVING SUGGESTION THESETARTSAREPERFECTWHENYOU’RECOOKING FORACROWD.ANDWHENYOU’RENOT,JUSTHALVE THERECIPETOMAKEASINGLETART.THISRECIPE CANBEMADE3HOURSAHEAD;STORE,COVEREDAT ROOMTEMPERATUREUNTILREADYTOSERVE. Note

Cooking this cake slowly ensures all of the moisture is maintained; resulting in a moist, fruity, delicious dessert. The ultimate treat.

This date loaf comes out tremendously moist and is great served fresh with melted butter, but also keeps nicely for a rainy day.

Mixture is not suitable to freeze. Note

This meringue has a delicious gooey centre.

The natural sweetness of date and banana make this fruity slice moist and rich. Gorgeous served with a cup of tea or strong coffee.

You will never want store-bought again after trying this delicious recipe for moist date rolls.

Fresh and colourful date and orange salad from Australian Women's Weekly.

Low in sugar and rich in fruit, this wholemeal loaf makes an excellent breakfast or afternoon energy booster.

This basic slice is a great and tasty recipe for beginner bakers.

This hazelnut and date tart tastes as impressive as it looks. It's a magnificent dessert that is only enhanced by its accompaniment of sweet, sesame cream.

Cake is best made on day of serving. Not suitable to freeze. A slice of this hearty, healthy cake is a decent breakfast on the run or a reliable mid-morning pick-me-up. Note

The addition of dates and orange rind gives this otherwise traditional apple pie a wonderful, distinct flavour.

A historically North African dish named after the earthenware pot in which it is cooked.

We used 3 bananas in this recipe. When baking with a nut roll tin, place it upright in the oven. Nut roll tins are available at selected stores. If unavailable, use a loaf tin instead. These rolls will keep for about three days. Note

Keeping time: 3 days. Note

Give your energy levels a boost with these refined sugar-free recipes+ boost balls. Nuts, dates and cocoa give you plenty of fuel, fibre and flavour along with guilt-free sweetness.

Packed with chopped dates, chocolate chips and chopped pistachios, these not-too-sweet muffins make a tasty morning or afternoon treat.

Put the kettle on and enjoy a thick slice of this moist date cake with coffee icing.

Delicious and easy recipe for a sticky chocolate date cake. Best served warm with lashings of double cream or ice-cream. Or both!

A classic dessert dish, this wonderfully sweet and sticky date cake is beautiful served with a rich butterscotch sauce and dollop of ice-cream for the ultimate indulgence.

A great source of both fibre and vitamins, plus calcium.

These banana and date muffins are great for the lunchbox, provide loads of fibre and energy, and couldn't be easier to make.

These sticky and sweet treats are the perfect sized afternoon tea or after dinner snack.

A deliciously balanced date, banana and tamarind chutney from New Zealand Woman's Weekly.

There's something about warm cake that can turn even the most anti-sweet toothed reaching for the fork. These warm ginger and date muffins with caramel sauce are worth writing home about.

This dish is sophisticated enough to serve at a dinner party.

Spicy date pudding with butterscotch sauce

Tender spiced lamb with a fruity couscous packed full of oranges, dates and walnuts.

This loaf keeps for 3 days. Note

Start the recipe at least a day ahead, as the fruit mixture needs to stand overnight. Note

Toffee is best made just before serving or up to 1 hour beforehand. Note

Stand nut rolls, upright in tins, on oven tray The tin needs to be coated thickly with melted butter so the roll won’t stick to the inside of the tin. Don’t use cooking-oil spray, as this doesn’t give a good enough coating and the roll will stick and be hard to turn out. Serve nut […]

You need about 2 large carrots for this recipe. This cake can be made 2 weeks ahead and refrigerated. Note

This quantity of basic fruit mix will make a classic Christmas cake or classic steamed Christmas pudding. Note

You can substitute the almond meal for hazelnut or pecan meal if you prefer. The orange caramel sauce is best served immediately once prepared because it will separate on standing. Note

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

Buy greek or lebanese baklava from specialty shops, delicatessens or some coffee shops. Note