You need a 7cm (2¾-inch) and a 5cm (2-inch) starshaped cutter. It’s best to use food colouring pastes rather than liquids. Roll, cut and bake one portion of dough at a time. While those biscuits are cooking , roll and cut the next batch, ready for the oven. Note

This recipe also makes 6 texas muffins (¾-cup/180ml); bake about 35 minutes. Note

A crispy baked pumpkin and ricotta dish that is a great healthy side to go with meaty dishes.

Mad about marmalade? Then, this muffin is for you. Marmalades come in a range of flavours sweet through to bitter and everything in between. Try a bitter marmalade first, it teams so well with the almonds and the sweetness of the syrup. Note

Old-fashioned cast gem irons are available from specialty cookware shops or second-hand shops. Note

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, […]

36 lollypop or paddle pop sticks are needed for this recipe. Push the sticks of the popcakes into the top of a cardboard egg carton to dry. Light or dark fruit cake is suitable, use whichever is preferred. Note

You will need to watch the sugar syrup carefully while it simmers for 5 minutes. It may be necessary to lift the pan from the heat several times to help maintain the correct temperature. For perfect results, use an accurate candy thermometer. Note

Any small jubes or jelly sweets can be used. Use lightly oiled scissors to cut the jubes. Note

Keeping time: 4 days. Note

Semolina is available from health-food stores and supermarkets. It can be replaced with 1 cup plain (all-purpose) flour. Lime, orange or mandarin juice and grated rind can be substituted for the lemon. Note

A classic treat from our iconic Test Kitchen.

These cakes are best made on the day of serving. Note

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 months. Note

You will need about two bunches of rhubarb for this recipe. To spread the second layer of cake batter over the crumble, without mixing the two, dollop the batter into each corner first, then gently spread the batter toward the centre. Note

A beautifully bright and colourful rainbow salad packed full of beetroot, asparagus, orange and avocado.

Sugar flowers of many shapes, sizes and colours can be bought from most supermarkets and cake decorating shops. Note

For this recipe you need 1 large pomegranate (375g). Note

You’ll be prouder than a peacock when you present this cake at the party. The design is mainly in the placement of the lollies. Note

It’s important to use regular honey in the matzo cake, not the easy-to-pour liquefied version Note

A hearty cassoulet with delicate chicken breast and merguez, a spicy North African sausage.

Allen’s Racing Cars and Pineapples can be found in Allen’s Teeth `n’ Stuff, Retro Party Mix and Classic Party Mix. Note

Ehh, what's up doc? This cake, for one! Inspired by our favourite wacky wabbit, Bugs, this kids' favourite - straight from The Australian Women's Weekly's famous 'Children's Birthday Cake Book' cookbook - is sure to be a hit.

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

If using frozen berries, use them unthawed, this will minimise “bleeding” of the colour into the mixture. Muffins can be frozen either individually wrapped in foil or together in a sealed container for up to 3 months. To thaw frozen muffins, either place muffins on an oven tray covered with foil, or wrap individual muffins […]

Even though small guests may not be eating the cakes they’ll love the look of a duckling-topped cake. Make sure the ducks are completely dry and firm. The drying time will depend on the weather; if it’s wet or humid, it could take overnight. The ducklings will take less time to dry than the mother […]

You will need about 3 large overripe bananas for this recipe; mash 2 of them for enough mashed banana. Note

We cooked this recipe in two ovenproof dishes,­ each dish will serve three. We have deliberately used dried, uncooked pasta in this dish. The texture of the final dish is a little chewy, but still tender. Note

A fun and delicious gingerbread man that is great for kid's parties.

This playful, and friendly, looking monster will keep the little ones amused with its bright, cheery colours and smiling face. Note

Tender pork loin stuffed with capsicum and ciabatta crumb and served with a rosemary gravy.

Kids love funny faces so Merv is bound to create peals of merriment Note

Equipment: 35cm (14-inch) square wooden cake board Smoothing tools pasta machine 1.4cm (¾-inch) and 4.5cm (1¾-inch) perspex measures vinyl mat fine artist’s paint brush stitching tool alphabet cutters paper piping bag. Although this cake is a labour of love, it’s worth every bit of effort. The strips of icing can be made by rolling the […]

You can find both pepitas and craisins in most supermarkets. Rolled rice is available from health food stores or the health food section of your local supermarket. Note

Make sure the rose petals are chemical-free. Organic petals can be found at specialist cake decorating shops and some delicatessens. If fresh organic rose petals are unavailable, sprinkle cake with chopped rosewater-flavoured turkish delight. Rosewater will vary in strength between brands. Start with a small amount and adjust to taste. If using rosewater essence, start […]

Pie can be made a day ahead, keep, covered, in refrigerator. A deep-dish pie with generous helpings of fruit – perfect after a Sunday roast. Note

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

17 paddle pop sticks halved crossways are needed for this recipe. Note

Pre-baked, packaged pizza bases first appeared in supermarkets during the 1980s. They come in various sizes, some with cheese already in the mix. You need to purchase a large barbecued chicken weighing approximately 900g to get the amount of shredded meat required for this recipe. Note

Crispy potato wedges with a light and summery sun-dried tomato pesto.

If you don’t like heavy fruit cake, this light fruit cake may just hit the spot. 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 Tiny heart cutters are sometimes sold as `aspic cutters’. We’ve scattered Allen’s Sour Rush Jelly Beans, Allen’s Milk Bottle Mania and Nestlé Melts White Cooking Compound around the […]

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

This cake can also be made in a deep 18cm (7¼-inch) square cake pan. Note

Our version of traditional Italian cannelloni takes homemade potato pancakes and fills them with a hearty, delicious vegetarian filling. Topped with bubbly, golden cheese, this is one dish you'll love.

You can use any flavoured jelly you wish. Note

The best French dessert of all time: delicious mini french éclairs with rich praline and smooth vanilla custard.

Fruit mince is a mixture of dried fruits such as raisins, sultanas and candied peel, nuts, spices, apple, brandy or rum. It is used as a filling for cakes, puddings and fruit mince pies. Note

To decorate the cake in the same colours as pictured here, you need 32 of each colour. We used rainbow Mentos mints, which come in packs of three. The purple and green colours can be used in lolly bags. Decorate the cake however you like using all the colours, rather than the ones used here. […]

Make your own delicious cheesy crisps for snacking or sharing with family and friends.

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: 2 x 12-hole (2-tablespoons/40ml) deep flat-based patty pans 24 standard paper cases (brown) 40cm-square prepared cake board decorations white and black decorating gel The recipe makes 24 cakes, however, we’ve only used 17 in our picture. Encourage the guests to bring their instruments, if possible, to a musically-themed party. A white board would make […]

Assemble pastries no more than an hour before serving, refrigerate until required. Note

Equipment deep 15cm (6-inch) square cake pan 20cm (8-inch) square prepared cake board or cake stand small piping bag fitted with small plain tube Cake can be completed a day ahead of the party. You will have some cake mixture left over,­ use it to make cupcakes. Note

A light and zesty Italian-style dish that is a great summery dessert.

To tell if a peach is ripe, look around the stem of the peach, the absence of green skin plus a strong peach aroma indicates ripeness. If the skin is slightly green, it is not ripe. If peach stones are difficult to remove, leave them during roasting, they will come out more easily after cooking. […]

Filling can be made a day ahead. Store, covered, in the fridge. Note

This Italian-style baked cheesecake uses ricotta for extra creaminess. The addition of mixed glace fruits brings another layer of sweetness you'll go mad over.

Swiss brown mushrooms, also known as roman or cremini, are light-to darkbrown in colour with a full bodied flavour. Store on a tray in a single layer, covered with damp, absorbent paper and keep where cool air can circulate around them. Note

Equipment Deep 15cm (6-inch) square cake pan 25cm (10-inch) square prepared cake board If the icing is set on the cake, you can attach the roses using a tiny dab of apricot jam. The ribbon is easier to tie around the cake if the icing is set. The cake can be completed about three days […]

The sponge roll used for this recipe has a diameter of 10cm and a length of 16cm. Note

Equipment: Deep 30cm-round cake pan 2 x 20cm x 30cm lamington pans 2 bamboo skewers 3cm, 4cm, 6cm and 9cm-round cutters 40cm x 1m prepared cake board Decorations 3 rainbow sour straps, cut yellow strips from strap Note