Latest research from MINTEL has found that in the last five years alone sales of home baking products have risen by 25% to reach GBP429 million this year. Over the next 5 years MINTEL expects the market to grow by an estimated 28% to reach almost GBP550 million by 2011, crashing through the half billion pound mark as soon as 2009. Today, almost half of shoppers are baking from scratch, with cakes proving to be the most popular option. Sales of home baking products such as cake and flour mixes have grown by 34% between 2001 and 2006, compared to just 8% growth in the shop-bought cakes market.

Sara Lewis was the cookery editor of Practical Parenting magazine for over 12 years. She is also the author of the best-selling 30-minute Kids' Cakes, Kids in the Kitchen and Kids' Baking, all published by Hamlyn.

Introduction. Little Cakes. Including: Pistachio and Dark Chocolate Meringues; Maple, Pecan and White Chocolate Muffins; Orange and Sultana Scones; Viennese Whirls; Hot Cross Buns; Mocha Cupcakes; Strawberry and Lavender Shortcakes; Cookies. Including: Ginger Snowmen; Coffee Kisses; Maple Biscuits; Almond Shorties; Linzer Biscuits; Triple Chocolate Pretzels; Oat and Ginger Crunchies; Peanut Butter Cookies; Traybakes. Including: Cherry and Almond Polenta Cake; Rum and Raisin Chocolate Brownies; White Chocolate and Apricot Blondies; Tropical Coconut and Pineapple Gingercake; Honied Pear and Cinnamon Squares; Apple and Blackberry Crumble Cake; Banana Bars with Chocolate Fudge Frosting; Centrepiece Cakes. Including: Gingered Chocolate and Sweet Potato Cake Torte; Lemon Angel Food Cake; Plum and Almond Streusel Cake; Walnut and Strawberry Macaroon Cake; Chocolate Truffle Cake; Coffee Cake with Pistachio Praline; Blueberry Meringue Roulade; Victoria Sandwich Cake; Cut and Come Again Cakes. Including: Dundee Cake; Banana, Date and Walnut Loaf; Tropical Christmas Cake; Cidered Apple and Fig Loaf; Pear, Cardamom and Sultana Cake; Jamaican Gingercake with Cinnamon Frosting; Pastries. Including: Citrus Baklava; French Apple Flan; Chocolate Eclairs with Bailey's Cream; Raspberry Garlands; Custard Cream Slices with Summer Berries; No-bake Cakes. Including: Cheat's Lemon Dainties; Sicilian Cheesecake; Layered Nutty Bars; Chocolate and Peanut Yum Yums;