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Stacks of layer cake recipes for your next celebration

Layer cakes are the ultimate dessert showstopper. Their impressive tiered design is made to show off your favourite sweet flavours while offering enough portions for groups, making them an easy recipe for entertaining or an impressive celebration cake. Whether you prefer a rich, chocolate mud cake with a fudgy buttercream filling or a light and airy sponge with fresh, fruity flavours, there is a luxurious layer cake perfect for you.

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Devil's food black forest cake

Devil's food black forest cake

"Devil’s food cake is really an all-time favourite; rich and velvety, fudgy, and yet somehow light enough to be used in so many different ways – for cupcakes, as a layer in your next trifle or dressed up as a celebration cake." – Emelia Jackson

Chocolate mud cake with Nutella ganache

Chocolate mud cake with Nutella ganache

"This melt-and-mix recipe has a sturdy structure which actually improves with age (you can wrap it in plastic wrap and store it in the fridge for 1-2 weeks; it just gets fudgier and fudgier), making it the perfect choice for a stacked celebration cake." – Emelia Jackson. You'll need to start this recipe a day ahead, and you’ll need a piping bag with a large round nozzle.

Pistachio cake

Pistachio cake
Credit: Chris Court

This beautiful celebration cake is made to be a centrepiece. Nutty, green pistachio layers are sandwiched between generous lashings of velvety white chocolate ganache with dollops of tangy lemon curd and fresh raspberries adding a sharp sweetness with every bite. A perfect, easy layer cake for entertaining or to make for a show-stopping afternoon tea.

Golden lemon drizzle cake with poppy seeds

Golden lemon drizzle cake with poppy seeds

"A cake that has it all: sweet, sour, fluffy, sugar-crusted crunch and luxurious filling. And then the sponge! Sunshine gold to lift any mood. My secret is ground turmeric in the batter, offsetting the sweetness. The idea for the lemon mascarpone centre came from Tonia George in a magazine cutting I have held onto for 15 years. I will be forever grateful to her, as this might just be my favourite cake.” – Eleanor Ford

Fresh ideas

Yotam Ottolenghi's sunset pavlova with orange syrup

(5)
  • Serves 8
You can never go wrong with a pav. But you’ve also never had one quite like Yotam Ottolenghi’s. It’s guaranteed to please – and surprise – everyone. What you need to know before you start Begin this recipe the night before to allow the meringue base to cool completely. You’ll also need a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and uninterrupted access to an oven overnight. If you don’t have a stand mixer, feel free to use electric beaters or even a whisk for an arm workout. You’ll also need some basic cooking equipment like a baking tray, spatula, saucepan, a mandoline to shave the fruit (or a sharp knife) and mixing bowls.  Why is this the best sunset pavlova with orange syrup recipe? Crunchy meringue with pillowy interiors, luscious cardamom cream, beautiful fresh Aussie summer fruit and sweet and vibrant syrup come together to create the perfect centrepiece for your Christmas feast or family barbecue.  Created by famed chef and restaurateur Yotam Ottolenghi, you’ll love the chewy-marshmallow base of the meringue, the sweet and spicy aromatic cardamom-spiked whipped cream that pairs beautifully with in-season stone fruit, and the sweet and sticky rosemary-infused orange syrup. While it looks mighty impressive, don’t let that daunt you – once you nail the basics, it’s simple to recreate at home, and you’re free to make your own tweaks like adding cherries or fresh basil leaves.  Why do you make pavlova the day before? Starting your pavlova recipe the day before you’re ready to serve allows the base to cool completely after it has baked. This slow cooling process prevents it from cracking too much – but don’t fret if it does! The imperfections of a cracked pavlova can easily be hidden with a dollop of cream, and this will in no way affect the overall final taste of the dish.  What ingredients you’ll need Egg whites: Egg whites form the base of the meringue. For this 8-person pavlova, you’ll need roughly 6-7 large eggs at room temperature.  Caster sugar: Caster sugar dissolves easily into the egg whites, helping to create a smooth, glossy texture and adding a touch of sweetness. It’s also used in the orange syrup and cardamom cream.  Cornflour: Cornflour is added to the meringue to give the pavlova its characteristic soft, marshmallow-like interior. Apple cider vinegar: Vinegar helps to stabilise the egg whites and strengthens the meringue, ensuring it holds its shape during baking, and adds acidity and brightness to the rosemary syrup.  Orange juice: Orange juice forms the base of the syrup. It provides a fresh, tangy sweetness that balances the richness of the pavlova. Rosemary: Fresh rosemary infuses the syrup with a subtle, aromatic herbal note. Lemon juice: Lemon brightens the syrup and helps to cut through the sweetness of the pavlova and orange juice. Thickened cream: Thickened cream adds a rich, velvety texture to the cardamom cream. Mascarpone: Mascarpone contributes a creamy, slightly tangy flavour that enhances the richness of the whipped cream. Cardamom pods: Crushed cardamom pods release their aromatic, spicy-sweet flavour, infusing the cream with warm notes. Nectarines: Nectarines add a juicy, fragrant sweetness with a hint of tartness to the finished dish. Yellow or red plums: Choose yellow or red plums for their burst of fruity flavour to help balance the sweetness of the pavlova.  Green grapes: Grapes add a crisp, refreshing sweetness and a slight tartness to the dish.  Passionfruit: Passionfruit brings a tangy-sweet flavour, adding to the summer tropical flair of the pavlova. What are the secrets of pavlova? There are a few tips and tricks you can follow to nail the perfect pavlova: If you can, avoid making your pavlova on a humid day. This can cause your meringue to absorb the moisture in the air, turning it soft and sticky Use fresh, room-temperature eggs for your meringue to create a more stable and lighter base.  Don’t forget the cornflour and vinegar to stabilise the egg whites and prevent the pavlova from ‘weeping’ – a term used to describe the liquid that leaks from a pav.  It’s also very important that you ensure that you have fully dissolved the sugar when whisking, or your pav will weep. Check by rubbing the egg white mixture between your fingers, and whisk until you cannot feel any granules of sugar. Take the time to cool the meringue base completely. This will prevent too much cracking.  How to store leftover pavlova A dressed pavlova is best enjoyed on the day, as the crispness of the meringue will soften over time once toppings have been added. If you do have leftovers, store them wrapped in plastic or in an airtight container in the fridge and consume within 2-3 days. You may notice the base isn’t as crispy as it once was, and leftover pav can look a bit messy, but it's still super delicious. Try serving it in individual glasses, Eton mess-style, topped up with fresh fruit. How to serve Ottolenghi’s sunset pavlova with orange syrup Serve this showstopping pavlova on a platter at the centre of the dinner table after your main course of Christmas turkey, ham and sides. When you’re ready to plate up, top the meringue with a dollop of cream and spread it across the base, hiding any cracks (if any) and leaving a 2.5cm border around the edges. Gently place the fruit on top of the cream and pour over the syrup (removing the rosemary sprigs first). Feel free to dress it in the kitchen, or bring some theatrics to your dinner table by decorating in front of your guests. When it’s time to dig in, serve onto individual plates with dessert forks.  If you love Yotam Ottolenghi’s sunset pavlova with orange syrup recipe, try this  For more fresh and fruity summer desserts, try our favourites: Summer prosecco jelly  Lemon and lime tart Passionfruit cheesecake slice
View recipe

Yotam Ottolenghi's sunset pavlova with orange syrup

(5)
  • Serves 8
You can never go wrong with a pav. But you’ve also never had one quite like Yotam Ottolenghi’s. It’s guaranteed to please – and surprise – everyone. What you need to know before you start Begin this recipe the night before to allow the meringue base to cool completely. You’ll also need a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and uninterrupted access to an oven overnight. If you don’t have a stand mixer, feel free to use electric beaters or even a whisk for an arm workout. You’ll also need some basic cooking equipment like a baking tray, spatula, saucepan, a mandoline to shave the fruit (or a sharp knife) and mixing bowls.  Why is this the best sunset pavlova with orange syrup recipe? Crunchy meringue with pillowy interiors, luscious cardamom cream, beautiful fresh Aussie summer fruit and sweet and vibrant syrup come together to create the perfect centrepiece for your Christmas feast or family barbecue.  Created by famed chef and restaurateur Yotam Ottolenghi, you’ll love the chewy-marshmallow base of the meringue, the sweet and spicy aromatic cardamom-spiked whipped cream that pairs beautifully with in-season stone fruit, and the sweet and sticky rosemary-infused orange syrup. While it looks mighty impressive, don’t let that daunt you – once you nail the basics, it’s simple to recreate at home, and you’re free to make your own tweaks like adding cherries or fresh basil leaves.  Why do you make pavlova the day before? Starting your pavlova recipe the day before you’re ready to serve allows the base to cool completely after it has baked. This slow cooling process prevents it from cracking too much – but don’t fret if it does! The imperfections of a cracked pavlova can easily be hidden with a dollop of cream, and this will in no way affect the overall final taste of the dish.  What ingredients you’ll need Egg whites: Egg whites form the base of the meringue. For this 8-person pavlova, you’ll need roughly 6-7 large eggs at room temperature.  Caster sugar: Caster sugar dissolves easily into the egg whites, helping to create a smooth, glossy texture and adding a touch of sweetness. It’s also used in the orange syrup and cardamom cream.  Cornflour: Cornflour is added to the meringue to give the pavlova its characteristic soft, marshmallow-like interior. Apple cider vinegar: Vinegar helps to stabilise the egg whites and strengthens the meringue, ensuring it holds its shape during baking, and adds acidity and brightness to the rosemary syrup.  Orange juice: Orange juice forms the base of the syrup. It provides a fresh, tangy sweetness that balances the richness of the pavlova. Rosemary: Fresh rosemary infuses the syrup with a subtle, aromatic herbal note. Lemon juice: Lemon brightens the syrup and helps to cut through the sweetness of the pavlova and orange juice. Thickened cream: Thickened cream adds a rich, velvety texture to the cardamom cream. Mascarpone: Mascarpone contributes a creamy, slightly tangy flavour that enhances the richness of the whipped cream. Cardamom pods: Crushed cardamom pods release their aromatic, spicy-sweet flavour, infusing the cream with warm notes. Nectarines: Nectarines add a juicy, fragrant sweetness with a hint of tartness to the finished dish. Yellow or red plums: Choose yellow or red plums for their burst of fruity flavour to help balance the sweetness of the pavlova.  Green grapes: Grapes add a crisp, refreshing sweetness and a slight tartness to the dish.  Passionfruit: Passionfruit brings a tangy-sweet flavour, adding to the summer tropical flair of the pavlova. What are the secrets of pavlova? There are a few tips and tricks you can follow to nail the perfect pavlova: If you can, avoid making your pavlova on a humid day. This can cause your meringue to absorb the moisture in the air, turning it soft and sticky Use fresh, room-temperature eggs for your meringue to create a more stable and lighter base.  Don’t forget the cornflour and vinegar to stabilise the egg whites and prevent the pavlova from ‘weeping’ – a term used to describe the liquid that leaks from a pav.  It’s also very important that you ensure that you have fully dissolved the sugar when whisking, or your pav will weep. Check by rubbing the egg white mixture between your fingers, and whisk until you cannot feel any granules of sugar. Take the time to cool the meringue base completely. This will prevent too much cracking.  How to store leftover pavlova A dressed pavlova is best enjoyed on the day, as the crispness of the meringue will soften over time once toppings have been added. If you do have leftovers, store them wrapped in plastic or in an airtight container in the fridge and consume within 2-3 days. You may notice the base isn’t as crispy as it once was, and leftover pav can look a bit messy, but it's still super delicious. Try serving it in individual glasses, Eton mess-style, topped up with fresh fruit. How to serve Ottolenghi’s sunset pavlova with orange syrup Serve this showstopping pavlova on a platter at the centre of the dinner table after your main course of Christmas turkey, ham and sides. When you’re ready to plate up, top the meringue with a dollop of cream and spread it across the base, hiding any cracks (if any) and leaving a 2.5cm border around the edges. Gently place the fruit on top of the cream and pour over the syrup (removing the rosemary sprigs first). Feel free to dress it in the kitchen, or bring some theatrics to your dinner table by decorating in front of your guests. When it’s time to dig in, serve onto individual plates with dessert forks.  If you love Yotam Ottolenghi’s sunset pavlova with orange syrup recipe, try this  For more fresh and fruity summer desserts, try our favourites: Summer prosecco jelly  Lemon and lime tart Passionfruit cheesecake slice
View recipe
Fresh market
Grapes

Grapes

Grapes are at their peak right now, look for firm, bright fruit for a sweet juicy snack.

Gingerbread layer cake with preserved ginger syrup

Gingerbread layer cake with preserved ginger syrup

“Preserving ginger at home is an affordable, easy, waste-free way to use up any knobs of ginger you have lying around in your fridge. It also makes for a lovely edible gift-giving idea.” – Tracey Pattison

Pistachio and lemon layer cake

Pistachio and lemon layer cake
Pistachio and lemon layer cake

Light on ingredients (but not in its layers of heavenly mascarpone cream), this pistachio and lemon gluten-free cake is absolutely to die for.

Espresso martini layer cake

Espresso martini layer cake
Espresso martini layer cake

Warren Mendes takes an all-time favourite cocktail – the espresso martini – and turns it into a show-stopping crowd-pleaser.

Coconut and blueberry sponge layer cake

Coconut and blueberry sponge layer cake
Coconut and blueberry sponge layer cake

Fool them all with this easy yet impressive coconut cake. We’ve given it a modern twist to include blueberries and edible flowers. Make it the star on the food table at your next soirée.

Chocolate butterscotch layer cake

Chocolate butterscotch layer cake
Chocolate butterscotch layer cake

Toffee hazelnuts are the crowning glory on this chocolate layer cake that's sandwiched with butterscotch cream and glazed with a thick layer of ganache.

Summer layer cake

Summer layer cake
Autumn layer cake

With layers of pink mousse in a coconutty marshmallow shell, this pretty cake pays homage to an Aussie classic.

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