You need two large (460g) overripe bananas to get the amount of mashed banana. 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

This cake will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days, in the fridge for 1 week, or in the freezer for 2 months. Note

Meat filling can be prepared a day ahead. Note

This cake does not actually contain the sweet wine called Madeira. Its name is derived from the fact that it used to be served with a small glass of Madeira for afternoon or high­ tea in Victorian England. Note

You can use any type of berry you like in the compote. Note

It is fine to use just one 300ml carton of cream for this recipe. Note

This king of the jungle cake will be a hit with young explorers at a jungle-themed safari. If the weather is wet or humid, chop the Violet Crumble bars and position them on the cake just before the party, as the damp air will make them sticky. You’ll have about 1 cup of cake mixture […]

Packaged cupcakes usually come iced, however, you can ice over the top with the frosting or remove the icing. Place the muffins in matching paper cases, if you like. Note

Pancetta, an Italian unsmoked bacon, can be used, sliced or chopped, as an ingredient in recipes rather than eaten on its own. It’s also great used as a pizza topping. Note

You need to buy half a large barbecued chicken (450g) to get the amount of shredded meat required for this recipe. Note

Remember to remove the skewers from the drawbridge before cutting the cake. Note

Soft fresh goat cheese can be substituted for fetta, if desired. Note

Recipe can be made 1 day ahead and refrigerated, covered. Casseroles and bakes enhance the flavour of your favourite vegetables in these nutritious, hearty meals including potato and cauliflower gratin and garlic, vegetable and rice casserole. Note

Croutons can be prepared a day ahead. Keep in an airtight container. Prawns can be shelled several hours ahead and kept covered in refrigerator. Prepare salad as required. Note

Peppermint essence is an extract of distilled peppermint leaves Note

You will need about 3 punnets of raspberries for this recipe. Note

Stollen is delicious toasted lightly under a griller (broiler); serve it buttered. Bread flour is a strong flour, meaning that it has a relatively high gluten (protein) content; this causes the bread to rise, giving it shape and structure. It is available from most supermarkets. Note

Christmas cutters are available from all good kitchenware shops or cake decorating shops. Note

You can use ready-made air-popped popcorn instead of making your own; you will need about 8 cups. While this looks cute enough for a baby’s first birthday, it’s best not to use the popcorn ­instead, pipe some of the frosting over the sheep to make its woolly coat. Note

Delicious little French confectioneries that literally mean 'small oven'.

You need about 2 large trimmed rhubarb stems for this recipe. Muffins can be served warm or at room temperature. Note

Tender madeleine biscuits flavoured with vanilla and gentle dipped in a sweet rosewater glaze.

Spinach, capsicum and feta pizza

Treat your little princess to the sweetest birthday cake around this year.

Use small piping bags with or without small plain tubes, or use 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 20cm (8-inch) round board for this cake. The cake can be baked two days […]

The shimmer on the cake and the crystals on the stand capture the light, giving this stunning cake an eye-catching sparkle. The cake stand needs to have a flat base so it can be supported by the skewers in the middle tier. If the base of the stand is not flat, cut a piece of […]

You will need about 12 oranges for this recipe. Gelatine leaves are available from delicatessens and some supermarkets and have a neutral taste and are easier to dissolve than powdered gelatine. If using powdered gelatine, use 2 tablespoons; scatter over warm sugar and juice mixture; stir until dissolved. Note

To test if turkey is cooked, insert a skewer sideways into the thickest part of the thigh then remove and press flesh to release the juices. If the juice runs clear, the turkey is cooked. Alternatively, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, without touching bone; it should reach 90°C. This […]

Allen’s Teeth and Milk Bottles can be found in packets of Allen’s Teeth `n’ Stuff and Allen’s Retro Party Mix. Note

These crispy Moroccan-style sweet potato fries are the perfect side dish.

Use a gluten-free packet cake mix for this recipe, if you like. Just make sure the ingredients for the butter cream and the decorations are also gluten-free. Number 4 cake pans can be hired from cake decorating suppliers. Note

We used blue and green Life Savers, mini M&M’s, Skittles and baby jelly beans, but you can use any lollies you like. Note

Each of the topping recipes here makes enough to cover four mini pizza bases. You can buy prepared pizza bases from the supermarket, they can be found in the refrigerated, freezer or bakery sections. Note

It’s a good idea to turn filo triangles halfway through cooking. Use spray oil in place of butter, if preferred. Note

Violet Crumbles can be substituted with Crunchie bars or any other chocolate-coated honeycomb. Note

Warning, warning… the kids will be back for more of this cute robot cake. Get your little robotics engineer to help with the decorating. Note

The cake mix is enough to make 12 patty cakes, so decorate the other six patty cakes with your own favourite critters & crawlers. Note

To freeze; complete recipe to the end of step 2. Place empanadas, in a single layer, on a bakingpaper-lined baking tray. Freeze for 2 to 3 hours or until firm. Transfer to a large snap-lock bag. Expel any excess air. Label, date and freeze for up to one month. Continue from step 3, cooking time […]

You need about 3 large passionfruit for this recipe. Note

White icing is also known as fondant (it’s the traditional icing used on wedding cakes). It is available in packets from the supermarket and cake decorating shops. You could use one of those many pictures, drawn by your little Picasso and lovingly stuck on the fridge, to make the scene for the top of this […]

It is fine to use just the one 600ml carton or two 300ml cartons of cream for this recipe. You can vary this dessert endlessly by changing the flavours of the sorbet and the fruit. You can make this dessert ahead of time; once frozen, cover with plastic wrap. Decorate with fresh fruit before serving. […]

Equipment 3 x 12-hole (⅓-cup/80ml) standard muffin pans 36 standard paper cases (18 yellow, 18 red) 45cm-square prepared cake board Decorations 1 Killer Python 3 snakes (2 blue, 1 green) 4 x 25g Curly Wurly bars Smarties Piping takes a little skill, practice on a flat surface before you pipe the numbers on the cakes. […]

Tender and flavoursome rabbit and hazelnut terrine - the perfect addition to your next dinner party or afternoon tea!

The imported tube pan we used in this recipe is available from speciality cook ware shops. It measures 21cm across the base and has a 4 litre fluid capacity. The mixture needs to cling to the tube pan so it is important not to grease it. To remove cake from the tube pan, run a […]

When cutting cheesecake, dip the knife in hot water to ensure a clean cut. Note

Grapefruit probably got their name because they grow in clusters like grapes. Pink or ruby grapefruit have coral-pink flesh and shell- pink skin, and are sweeter and juicier than the yellow-skinned variety. Grenadine is a deep-red syrup based on pomegranate juice and used to both colour and sweeten desserts and drinks. Some versions of grenadine […]

We used two round heatproof bowls about 4cm in diameter and one small oval heatproof bowl about 9cm long to make the ghost’s eyes and mouth. Start making the meringue about 30 minutes before serving the cake. Cooked cake can be frozen for up to one month. Cake and ice-cream can be prepared, ready for […]

Make more cakes from any leftover cake mixture if you like. Cakes are best made on the day of the party. Note

There are some great gluten-free wraps and pizza bases available at supermarkets; to save time use these for the pizza base. Note

The combination of sweet orange cake and fragrant fennel works perfectly together to create a flavour-packed dessert, perfect for people who don't have a massive sweet-tooth.

You could also make this cake in a deep 18cm round cake pan. This cake is best made on day of serving. Note

A tasty snack or finger food for entertaining, these deliciously crispy potato skins are great served with our homemade dips. We've given you three recipes to choose from. Or, make them all!

This hearty roasted pumpkin and tomato soup is a fantastic warming winter dish.

Use any remaining cake mixture to make some extra cupcakes for the party. The cake can be completed at least two days ahead. White icing is also known as fondant (it’s the traditional icing used on wedding cakes). It is available in packets from the supermarket and cake decorating shops. Note

EQUIPMENT 12-hole (⅓ -cup/80ml) standard muffin pan 12 standard paper cases (5 green, 4 brown, 3 blue) 40cm x 50cm (16-inch x 20-inch) cake board You’ll have ¾ cup of the cake mixture left over, enough for another three cakes. Many children like gardening, so take-home treats could be small gardening tools. Use the handle […]

This loaf keeps for 3 days. Note

Lebanese bread can be substituted for prepared pizza base. Note

Ready-rolled puff pastry can be bought at any local supermarket. Note