Almond

These wafer-thin biscuits are perfect with a cup of hot chocolate or strong espresso.

So popular is this delectable French biscuit, that it has its own day on which it is celebrated. March 20 is unofficially 'Macaron Day', and participating bakeries offer customers free samples. With this recipe, you can make your own!

These gluten-free coconut, almond and berry cupcakes make the perfect sweet treat with a cup of tea.

A slice of this dense, zesty cake goes wonderfully with a dollop of yoghurt.

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

This delicate pasta dish combines the loveliest of summer flavours.

These scrumptious little chocolate and almond meringues manage to be both rich and light, crisp and chewy, all at the same time.

Serve thick slices of this herby crumbed chicken with a big green salad for a delicious, speedy dinner.

Drizzled in sweet toffee, these almond and cranberry wreath biscuits make wonderful Christmas gifts.

With a cinnamon-spiked plum and prune filling, these almond crescents are the perfect sweet treat with tea or coffee.

These popular little cakes make a lovely afternoon treat served with yoghurt.

We used fruit mince bought in a jar from the supermarket, but home-made would be even better. Store squares in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Note

No Christmas would be complete without a rich fruit cake such as this orange-scented beauty.

Try substituting hazelnut meal for the almonds, and use vanilla instead of almond essence. Note

These heavenly cinnamon and sour cherry macarons are definitely for the grownups. In order to get the pretty 'feet' effect along the bottom of each macaron, make sure you leave them to dry out completely before baking.

This decadent almond crunch is a stunning accompaniment to hot espresso.

Store in an airtight container for up to a week. Note

Loaves can be made up to 2 days ahead; store in an airtight container. Loaves are suitable to freeze. Note

This divine apple cake has a crunchy almond topping and goes beautifully with a morning or afternoon cuppa.

With a delicious almond, cherry and ginger topping drizzled with ganache, these chocolate cupcakes are fantastic for a special occasion.

Topped with a fresh, juicy cherry, these delicate little cherry almond tartlets make a sophisticated afternoon tea treat.

Drizzled in sweet lemon syrup, these crispy almond and walnut pastries are a delightful accompaniment to a cup of hot coffee.

What a delightful way to enjoy the flavour of eggnog. These macarons are the perfect, light accompaniment to Christmas dinner, and would make a unique and thoughtful gift for your host.

Spoil your family and friends this weekend with stacks of these glorious buttermilk pancakes with maple syrup and whipped praline butter.

When it comes to sweet treats the French always get it right and this delicate delight is no exception. Somewhere between a meringue and a biscuit, this melt in the mouth tropical macaron is simply délicieux!

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.

This yummy chicken mixture is great for party nibbles. The roasted almonds add a lovely crunch to these picture-perfect rolls.

These berry frangipane tarts are perfect for a simple afternoon tea celebration. Serve them with a small dish of clotted cream for that little something extra.

Citrus lovers will adore these fluffy puddings drizzled in marmalade syrup.

Put the kettle on and enjoy a piece of this zesty slice with a cup of hot tea or coffee.

This teacake is best eaten the day it is made. Note

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

Pomegranate pulp consists of the seeds and the edible pulp surrounding them; it has a tangy sweet-sour flavour Note

These delicious chocolate marzipan almonds make a lovely gift at either Easter or Christmas.

This plump, sticky fruit loaf is a cinch to make and simply delicious.

When it comes to cuisine the French got a lot right, especially the macaron. This humble sweet is deservedly famous for its chewy texture and delicious array of flavour options. Try this raspberry and cinnamon version, you'll love it.

A slice of this rich chocolate torte sprinkled with crushed praline makes an excellent dessert or indulgent afternoon tea.

Macarons can be challenging to make, but the results are worth it. Weigh your ingredients very carefully and sift the almond meal thoroughly, and these peppermint French macarons will be très bon!

A crunchy almond topping makes this delicious Christmas fruit cake different from the rest. Perfect served with a pot of hot tea.

Named for it's shape, this roulade is a filled cake that has been rolled into dessert perfection!

A classic afternoon tea cake, this cherry almond cake is dense, fruity and utterly delicious.

This dense chocolate cake is filled with orange zest, chopped walnuts and almonds. A delicious sweet treat for an afternoon tea.

This recipe can be made a week ahead. Note

These flavour filled little tarts make a great shared platter for a cocktail party, or a starter for a special meal.

Jalousie is best made on the day of serving. Serve with whipped cream if you like.

The three types of nuts used here are tossed with the spice mixture then toasted, a process that infuses the cake with their combined flavours. The secret to a successful teacake lies in the beating of the sugar, egg and butter ­ the mixture must be very light in colour and full of air.

Romesco sauce is a Catalonian delicacy, a rich, thick and spicy sauce that is simply perfect paired with grilled leeks and green onions.

Juicy cherries and crunchy biscuits with an almond-flavoured liqueur from Australian Women's Weekly.

These chewy almond macaroons are made in the traditional Italian style and are absolutely delicious served with hot espresso coffee.

This delicious, layered nutty chocolate and coffee ice-cream cake is topped with a layer of tender pistachios and toffee coated almonds. An altogether grown-up take on the classic ice-cream cake.

Soaked in fragrant honey and tossed in sesame seeds, these honey almond pastry fingers are sticky and nutty and impossible to resist.

This crisp, biscotti-style chocolate almond bread makes a satisfying snap when you bite into it. Unless, of course, it's thoroughly dunked in your coffee first.

Cut yourself a big slice of this light and fluffy almond, honey and sweet spiced cake to enjoy as morning or afternoon tea with a cup of your favourite brew.

Enjoy a bite of heaven with these light and fluffy homemade coffee friands. They are gorgeous enjoyed with your mid-morning or afternoon coffee as a relaxing treat with friends.

The raspberry and almond cake can be made a day ahead, then split and fill the cake with mascarpone cream on the day of serving.

Savoury and deeply satisfying, this vegetable curry is great as part of a banquet or as a meal on its own.

Packed full of flavour and zesty Moroccan spices, this creamy tuna and tomato wrap is perfect for a tasty work lunch that'll leave you totally satisfied.

Bring a bit of Italy into your home with this gorgeous take on a traditional cake.

Try this cake with other fillings such as apple or pear. The cake is best made on the day of serving. Note

If you have a sugar (candy) thermometer, use it for these recipes. These nuts are so moreish it will be hard to hand them over; to prevent such a dilemma, double the quantity and the problem is solved! 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

Not suitable to microwave. Note

We used a low-calorie packet of jelly crystals because we wanted the cranberry and raspberry flavour but you can use any jelly crystals you like, as long as it makes 2 cups (500ml) jelly; raspberry, port wine and cherry-flavoured jelly would all work well. Note

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

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

Beautiful bite-size cakes with succulent syrup and subtle saffron flavour.

This fragrant pilaf with crunchy almonds is a great accompaniment to meat stews and curries.

This cake is best made on day of serving. Note

Chocolate wheatens are wheatmeal-based biscuits topped with milk or dark chocolate. Instead of the raspberries use other frozen berries like blackberries or strawberries or try using a combination of all three. Note

A delicious stir-fried salad with spicy Sichuan chilli for some heat.

You could top the petit fours with fresh raspberries instead of the icing flowers. Petit fours are best made on the day of serving. Note

These are just as good served at room temperature as they are served hot, and they make perfect finger-food for a cocktail party or for inclusion on a large selection of mezze dishes. Note

Naturally sweet strawberries are the star of these healthy pancakes, which are made fluffy and light with low-fat ricotta. Just drizzle with honey for a guilt-free breakfast treat or easy dessert idea.

You can use low-fat cream cheese in this recipe if you prefer. Note

Known variously throughout the Middle East and North Africa as basboosa, namoura or harisi, this sweet slice is saturated with a citrusy sugar syrup which gives it a lovely individual flavour. Note

siena cake is a perfect accompaniment for after-dinner coffee. Cut into thin wedges or slices about 1cm thick,then into small pieces Note

M'hanncha, a Moroccan almond pastry, means `the snake' and this coiled sweet pastry treat certainly represents that.