Attention, baking enthusiasts! From extravagant cakes, afternoon tea slices, rainy day biscuits to morning scrolls, we’ve found a different dessert to bake every week this year.
If you're looking for the perfect thing to bake this weekend, these spiced apple scrolls are it. Light and fluffy bread surrounds a gooey filling of apples, spices and brown sugar, slathered with a maple syrup cream cheese frosting. Perfect as an afternoon tea treat or even a morning pastry with your coffee, these spiced apple scrolls will not last long!
Zucchini and chocolate? Yes indeed. Zucchini’s high moisture content makes it ideal for baking – its liquid is slowly released during cooking time, ensuring your cake doesn’t dry out. And with this veg’s mild flavour, nobody would even know it’s in there. We also added yoghurt for an extra moist crumb, and to add a slight delectable tang to the rich, creamy chocolate ganache.
Creamy tiramisu meets fluffy chocolate and espresso cake in this match made in heaven. And to top it off, this show-stopper dessert is easier to make than it appears.
This classic homemade blueberry pie is a must-have in your baking repertoire. You can enjoy this pie all year round, using either bountiful fresh summer berries or convenient frozen berries. Whatever you choose, be sure to serve with a generous dollop of vanilla ice cream.
“For me, this is what Christmas and summer is all about. We are blessed with the most amazing fruit in the world at Christmas time. In my view it would be a crime to have that abundance, turn your back on it, and have a steamed pudding on a 30-degree day. I also love the simplicity of this – using the whipped mascarpone to make it even richer and the biscuit and brittle to give some texture. You can make some jelly if you like, get some ladyfinger biscuits and build a trifle with the fruit, jelly and mascarpone layer with biscuits. Again, it’s simple and doesn’t require much work. It does, however, rely on perfectly ripe, sweet fruit.” – Neil Perry. You’ll need 8 serving glasses for this recipe.
Grapes are at their peak right now, look for firm, bright fruit for a sweet juicy snack.
These muffins are perfect for brunch, afternoon tea or lunchboxes, and you can make them anytime of the year, using fresh or frozen blueberries. The dollop of zesty lemon curd in the centre makes them extra special and delicious, as does the irresistible crumble topping.
Love strawberries and cream? You’ll adore this impossibly smooth, indulgent mousse cake. Tart and fruity strawberries combine with richly sweet white chocolate to create a creamy, dreamy summer dessert that will have everyone begging for a second serve. You’ll need an 18cm springform cake pan and some acetate (available from cake decorating stores), and you’ll need to start this dessert a day ahead.
You’ll fall in love with just how beautiful this tart is! Layered with fresh mango slices, it starts with a golden macadamia pastry shell filled with a lush mango cream. Perfect for summer gatherings, relaxed dinners or whenever you want something fresh, bright and a little indulgent
You’ve never seen a pav quite like this before! We suggest a fanfare of trumpets before you bring this beauty out to the table, then watch as your guests gape in awe. Luscious ribboned purple meringue comes topped with luxuriant swathes of blueberry cream, vibrant figs and glossy blackberries. This is the dessert to make an impression this summer, and it tastes every bit as spectacular as it looks. You’ll need a piping bag fitted with a 4.5cm ribbon nozzle. Credit: Ben Dearnley
We’ve given the Australian iconic dessert a Christmas twist. This show-stopper cake is much easier to make than it looks, and you can assemble it up to 2 days in advance for stress-free entertaining.
The jiggle will make you giggle. Only 5 ingredients, and you can make it ahead of time. This fun dessert is perfect for hot weather, and you could easily swap the pineapple for another jelly flavour of your choice.
“For my entire life, or at least my entire life as a baking book author, I have been on a quest to find the perfect chocolate cake. Now, I know this is a near impossible feat. There are at least 10 versions of chocolate cakes that I can rattle off at the drop of a hat, but still, I will forever be on the quest for that perfect cake. This one comes fairly close, and I present it to you. This darling. She is rich in cocoa flavour and has a beautiful tight sponge. I’ve served this with a mascarpone whip, but a chocolate buttercream works perfectly, too.” - Emelia Jackson
“Pavlova being the crowd favourite for Christmas, this recipe highlights two of my favourite fruits – mangoes and blackberries. In this recipe, we pickle the blackberries to add a bit of acid to cut through the sweetness of the pavlova.” – Matt Moran
Make the most of mango season with this wholesome loaf. We’ve used coconut sugar, Greek yoghurt, extra virgin olive oil, nuts and loads of fruit to make a slice of sweetness just a little bit better for you. Pop a slice in your lunchbox for a snack or enjoy with a dollop of extra yoghurt and a drizzle of honey for morning or afternoon tea.
“This mixed berry baked custard tart is such a beautiful dessert to share with friends. I got this recipe from my mum; it’s super-versatile! I’ve made it as small and large-size tarts. You can also swap out the berries for other fruits as the seasons change. During this season, I always grab berries such as raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries and boysenberries. I sometimes cut them in half to add more colour and texture, and arrange them all over to cover the top of the tart.” - Carina La Delfa
