Top 33+ retro Australian dessert recipes

Whether you’re having a group of friends around for a afternoon tea, or a special birthday deserving of a nostalgic cake from your childhood, these sweet retro Australian dessert recipes are sure to delight.

We’ve got all the classic cakes, slices, biscuits and tarts you love. From classic lamingtons and vanilla slice to black forest and pineapple upside-down cakes, plus lemon meringue pies. You’ll also find sweet trifles and berry-topped pavlova recipes, perfect for entertaining.

The best Anzac biscuits recipe of all time , Neenish tarts , Honey coconut cake with caramel icing , Vanilla slice , Women’s Weekly Duck Cake recipe , Our classic pavlova recipe , Australian Women’s Weekly Dolly Varden Cake , Pineapple upside-down cake , Black forest mud cake , Sponge roll with jam and cream , Poached pear and quince with almond crumble , Creamy rice pudding with cinnamon sugar , Tropical bombe alaska

Drying rack of pink iced finger buns.

The best Anzac biscuits recipe of all time , Neenish tarts , Honey coconut cake with caramel icing , Vanilla slice , Women’s Weekly Duck Cake recipe , Our classic pavlova recipe , Australian Women’s Weekly Dolly Varden Cake , Pineapple upside-down cake , Black forest mud cake , Sponge roll with jam and cream , Poached pear and quince with almond crumble , Creamy rice pudding with cinnamon sugar , Tropical bombe alaska

Classic lamingtons

The best Anzac biscuits recipe of all time , Neenish tarts , Honey coconut cake with caramel icing , Vanilla slice , Women’s Weekly Duck Cake recipe , Our classic pavlova recipe , Australian Women’s Weekly Dolly Varden Cake , Pineapple upside-down cake , Black forest mud cake , Sponge roll with jam and cream , Poached pear and quince with almond crumble , Creamy rice pudding with cinnamon sugar , Tropical bombe alaska

Chocolate coconut slice

The best Anzac biscuits recipe of all time , Neenish tarts , Honey coconut cake with caramel icing , Vanilla slice , Women’s Weekly Duck Cake recipe , Our classic pavlova recipe , Australian Women’s Weekly Dolly Varden Cake , Pineapple upside-down cake , Black forest mud cake , Sponge roll with jam and cream , Poached pear and quince with almond crumble , Creamy rice pudding with cinnamon sugar , Tropical bombe alaska

Raspberry coconut slice

The best Anzac biscuits recipe of all time , Neenish tarts , Honey coconut cake with caramel icing , Vanilla slice , Women’s Weekly Duck Cake recipe , Our classic pavlova recipe , Australian Women’s Weekly Dolly Varden Cake , Pineapple upside-down cake , Black forest mud cake , Sponge roll with jam and cream , Poached pear and quince with almond crumble , Creamy rice pudding with cinnamon sugar , Tropical bombe alaska

Anzac slice

The best Anzac biscuits recipe of all time , Neenish tarts , Honey coconut cake with caramel icing , Vanilla slice , Women’s Weekly Duck Cake recipe , Our classic pavlova recipe , Australian Women’s Weekly Dolly Varden Cake , Pineapple upside-down cake , Black forest mud cake , Sponge roll with jam and cream , Poached pear and quince with almond crumble , Creamy rice pudding with cinnamon sugar , Tropical bombe alaska

The best Anzac biscuits recipe of all time

The best Anzac biscuits recipe of all time

Whether you like them soft and chewy or with crunch!

The best Anzac biscuits recipe of all time , Neenish tarts , Honey coconut cake with caramel icing , Vanilla slice , Women’s Weekly Duck Cake recipe , Our classic pavlova recipe , Australian Women’s Weekly Dolly Varden Cake , Pineapple upside-down cake , Black forest mud cake , Sponge roll with jam and cream , Poached pear and quince with almond crumble , Creamy rice pudding with cinnamon sugar , Tropical bombe alaska

Neenish tarts on a plate with a spoon

Neenish tarts

This classic tart with its distinctive pink and brown icing on the top is still as good as you remember.
The best Anzac biscuits recipe of all time , Neenish tarts , Honey coconut cake with caramel icing , Vanilla slice , Women’s Weekly Duck Cake recipe , Our classic pavlova recipe , Australian Women’s Weekly Dolly Varden Cake , Pineapple upside-down cake , Black forest mud cake , Sponge roll with jam and cream , Poached pear and quince with almond crumble , Creamy rice pudding with cinnamon sugar , Tropical bombe alaska

HONEY COCONUT CAKE WITH CARAMEL ICING

Honey coconut cake with caramel icing

A sweet and simple cake to share for morning or afternoon tea.
The best Anzac biscuits recipe of all time , Neenish tarts , Honey coconut cake with caramel icing , Vanilla slice , Women’s Weekly Duck Cake recipe , Our classic pavlova recipe , Australian Women’s Weekly Dolly Varden Cake , Pineapple upside-down cake , Black forest mud cake , Sponge roll with jam and cream , Poached pear and quince with almond crumble , Creamy rice pudding with cinnamon sugar , Tropical bombe alaska

Golden syrup dumplings

The best Anzac biscuits recipe of all time , Neenish tarts , Honey coconut cake with caramel icing , Vanilla slice , Women’s Weekly Duck Cake recipe , Our classic pavlova recipe , Australian Women’s Weekly Dolly Varden Cake , Pineapple upside-down cake , Black forest mud cake , Sponge roll with jam and cream , Poached pear and quince with almond crumble , Creamy rice pudding with cinnamon sugar , Tropical bombe alaska

Vanilla slice

Vanilla slice

Dotted with tell-tale passionfruit seeds, this classic slice is a true Aussie icon.
The best Anzac biscuits recipe of all time , Neenish tarts , Honey coconut cake with caramel icing , Vanilla slice , Women’s Weekly Duck Cake recipe , Our classic pavlova recipe , Australian Women’s Weekly Dolly Varden Cake , Pineapple upside-down cake , Black forest mud cake , Sponge roll with jam and cream , Poached pear and quince with almond crumble , Creamy rice pudding with cinnamon sugar , Tropical bombe alaska

custard tart

The best Anzac biscuits recipe of all time , Neenish tarts , Honey coconut cake with caramel icing , Vanilla slice , Women’s Weekly Duck Cake recipe , Our classic pavlova recipe , Australian Women’s Weekly Dolly Varden Cake , Pineapple upside-down cake , Black forest mud cake , Sponge roll with jam and cream , Poached pear and quince with almond crumble , Creamy rice pudding with cinnamon sugar , Tropical bombe alaska

Honey joys

The best Anzac biscuits recipe of all time , Neenish tarts , Honey coconut cake with caramel icing , Vanilla slice , Women’s Weekly Duck Cake recipe , Our classic pavlova recipe , Australian Women’s Weekly Dolly Varden Cake , Pineapple upside-down cake , Black forest mud cake , Sponge roll with jam and cream , Poached pear and quince with almond crumble , Creamy rice pudding with cinnamon sugar , Tropical bombe alaska

Women's Weekly's best ever sponge cake on a plate

The best Anzac biscuits recipe of all time , Neenish tarts , Honey coconut cake with caramel icing , Vanilla slice , Women’s Weekly Duck Cake recipe , Our classic pavlova recipe , Australian Women’s Weekly Dolly Varden Cake , Pineapple upside-down cake , Black forest mud cake , Sponge roll with jam and cream , Poached pear and quince with almond crumble , Creamy rice pudding with cinnamon sugar , Tropical bombe alaska

Lemon meringue pie

The best Anzac biscuits recipe of all time , Neenish tarts , Honey coconut cake with caramel icing , Vanilla slice , Women’s Weekly Duck Cake recipe , Our classic pavlova recipe , Australian Women’s Weekly Dolly Varden Cake , Pineapple upside-down cake , Black forest mud cake , Sponge roll with jam and cream , Poached pear and quince with almond crumble , Creamy rice pudding with cinnamon sugar , Tropical bombe alaska

old-fashioned apple pie slice

The best Anzac biscuits recipe of all time , Neenish tarts , Honey coconut cake with caramel icing , Vanilla slice , Women’s Weekly Duck Cake recipe , Our classic pavlova recipe , Australian Women’s Weekly Dolly Varden Cake , Pineapple upside-down cake , Black forest mud cake , Sponge roll with jam and cream , Poached pear and quince with almond crumble , Creamy rice pudding with cinnamon sugar , Tropical bombe alaska

Women's Weekly Duck Cake Recipe

Women’s Weekly Duck Cake recipe

First seen in the ’80s at birthday parties and having a Bluey-led resurgence!
The best Anzac biscuits recipe of all time , Neenish tarts , Honey coconut cake with caramel icing , Vanilla slice , Women’s Weekly Duck Cake recipe , Our classic pavlova recipe , Australian Women’s Weekly Dolly Varden Cake , Pineapple upside-down cake , Black forest mud cake , Sponge roll with jam and cream , Poached pear and quince with almond crumble , Creamy rice pudding with cinnamon sugar , Tropical bombe alaska

Classic pavlova on a cake stand

Our classic pavlova recipe

A classic that’s hard to beat – and easy to eat.
The best Anzac biscuits recipe of all time , Neenish tarts , Honey coconut cake with caramel icing , Vanilla slice , Women’s Weekly Duck Cake recipe , Our classic pavlova recipe , Australian Women’s Weekly Dolly Varden Cake , Pineapple upside-down cake , Black forest mud cake , Sponge roll with jam and cream , Poached pear and quince with almond crumble , Creamy rice pudding with cinnamon sugar , Tropical bombe alaska

Baked rice custard

The best Anzac biscuits recipe of all time , Neenish tarts , Honey coconut cake with caramel icing , Vanilla slice , Women’s Weekly Duck Cake recipe , Our classic pavlova recipe , Australian Women’s Weekly Dolly Varden Cake , Pineapple upside-down cake , Black forest mud cake , Sponge roll with jam and cream , Poached pear and quince with almond crumble , Creamy rice pudding with cinnamon sugar , Tropical bombe alaska

Plum cobbler

The best Anzac biscuits recipe of all time , Neenish tarts , Honey coconut cake with caramel icing , Vanilla slice , Women’s Weekly Duck Cake recipe , Our classic pavlova recipe , Australian Women’s Weekly Dolly Varden Cake , Pineapple upside-down cake , Black forest mud cake , Sponge roll with jam and cream , Poached pear and quince with almond crumble , Creamy rice pudding with cinnamon sugar , Tropical bombe alaska

Sticky date pudding2

The best Anzac biscuits recipe of all time , Neenish tarts , Honey coconut cake with caramel icing , Vanilla slice , Women’s Weekly Duck Cake recipe , Our classic pavlova recipe , Australian Women’s Weekly Dolly Varden Cake , Pineapple upside-down cake , Black forest mud cake , Sponge roll with jam and cream , Poached pear and quince with almond crumble , Creamy rice pudding with cinnamon sugar , Tropical bombe alaska

Summer pudding

The best Anzac biscuits recipe of all time , Neenish tarts , Honey coconut cake with caramel icing , Vanilla slice , Women’s Weekly Duck Cake recipe , Our classic pavlova recipe , Australian Women’s Weekly Dolly Varden Cake , Pineapple upside-down cake , Black forest mud cake , Sponge roll with jam and cream , Poached pear and quince with almond crumble , Creamy rice pudding with cinnamon sugar , Tropical bombe alaska

Lemon Delicious

The best Anzac biscuits recipe of all time , Neenish tarts , Honey coconut cake with caramel icing , Vanilla slice , Women’s Weekly Duck Cake recipe , Our classic pavlova recipe , Australian Women’s Weekly Dolly Varden Cake , Pineapple upside-down cake , Black forest mud cake , Sponge roll with jam and cream , Poached pear and quince with almond crumble , Creamy rice pudding with cinnamon sugar , Tropical bombe alaska

Australian Women's Weekly Dolly Varden Cake

Australian Women’s Weekly Dolly Varden Cake

This iconic children’s birthday cake was inspired by the character, Dolly, in one of Charles Dickens’ novels. A special baking pan, in the shape of her dress has been created just for this cake and you’ll need one of them for this recipe.
The best Anzac biscuits recipe of all time , Neenish tarts , Honey coconut cake with caramel icing , Vanilla slice , Women’s Weekly Duck Cake recipe , Our classic pavlova recipe , Australian Women’s Weekly Dolly Varden Cake , Pineapple upside-down cake , Black forest mud cake , Sponge roll with jam and cream , Poached pear and quince with almond crumble , Creamy rice pudding with cinnamon sugar , Tropical bombe alaska

PINEAPPLE UPSIDE-DOWNCAKE

Pineapple upside-down cake

Upside down cakes make a fabulous and impressive dessert. Pineapple is caramelised on the bottom of the pan and the cake is flipped after cooking to produce the signature look.
The best Anzac biscuits recipe of all time , Neenish tarts , Honey coconut cake with caramel icing , Vanilla slice , Women’s Weekly Duck Cake recipe , Our classic pavlova recipe , Australian Women’s Weekly Dolly Varden Cake , Pineapple upside-down cake , Black forest mud cake , Sponge roll with jam and cream , Poached pear and quince with almond crumble , Creamy rice pudding with cinnamon sugar , Tropical bombe alaska

black forest mud cake

Black forest mud cake

This cake is an absolute winner. We’ve used maraschino cherries here, you can use fresh or canned cherries, if you like. Maraschino cherries are available from gourmet food stores and good delicatessens.
The best Anzac biscuits recipe of all time , Neenish tarts , Honey coconut cake with caramel icing , Vanilla slice , Women’s Weekly Duck Cake recipe , Our classic pavlova recipe , Australian Women’s Weekly Dolly Varden Cake , Pineapple upside-down cake , Black forest mud cake , Sponge roll with jam and cream , Poached pear and quince with almond crumble , Creamy rice pudding with cinnamon sugar , Tropical bombe alaska

Sponge roll with jam and cream

Sponge roll with jam and cream

Sink your teeth into these moist, fluffy and delightfully sweet sponge rolls with jam and cream. The perfect accompaniment for your morning cuppa!
The best Anzac biscuits recipe of all time , Neenish tarts , Honey coconut cake with caramel icing , Vanilla slice , Women’s Weekly Duck Cake recipe , Our classic pavlova recipe , Australian Women’s Weekly Dolly Varden Cake , Pineapple upside-down cake , Black forest mud cake , Sponge roll with jam and cream , Poached pear and quince with almond crumble , Creamy rice pudding with cinnamon sugar , Tropical bombe alaska

Mum's summer trifle

The best Anzac biscuits recipe of all time , Neenish tarts , Honey coconut cake with caramel icing , Vanilla slice , Women’s Weekly Duck Cake recipe , Our classic pavlova recipe , Australian Women’s Weekly Dolly Varden Cake , Pineapple upside-down cake , Black forest mud cake , Sponge roll with jam and cream , Poached pear and quince with almond crumble , Creamy rice pudding with cinnamon sugar , Tropical bombe alaska

Poached pear and quince with almond crumble

Poached pear and quince with almond crumble

Recipe can be prepared several hours ahead. Reheat the fruit in the syrup before serving. Note
The best Anzac biscuits recipe of all time , Neenish tarts , Honey coconut cake with caramel icing , Vanilla slice , Women’s Weekly Duck Cake recipe , Our classic pavlova recipe , Australian Women’s Weekly Dolly Varden Cake , Pineapple upside-down cake , Black forest mud cake , Sponge roll with jam and cream , Poached pear and quince with almond crumble , Creamy rice pudding with cinnamon sugar , Tropical bombe alaska

creamy rice pudding with cinnamon sugar

Creamy rice pudding with cinnamon sugar

The vanilla bean can be reused, wash and dry well, store in an airtight container or add to a container of sugar for vanilla-scented sugar. Note
The best Anzac biscuits recipe of all time , Neenish tarts , Honey coconut cake with caramel icing , Vanilla slice , Women’s Weekly Duck Cake recipe , Our classic pavlova recipe , Australian Women’s Weekly Dolly Varden Cake , Pineapple upside-down cake , Black forest mud cake , Sponge roll with jam and cream , Poached pear and quince with almond crumble , Creamy rice pudding with cinnamon sugar , Tropical bombe alaska

vanilla whoopie pies

The best Anzac biscuits recipe of all time , Neenish tarts , Honey coconut cake with caramel icing , Vanilla slice , Women’s Weekly Duck Cake recipe , Our classic pavlova recipe , Australian Women’s Weekly Dolly Varden Cake , Pineapple upside-down cake , Black forest mud cake , Sponge roll with jam and cream , Poached pear and quince with almond crumble , Creamy rice pudding with cinnamon sugar , Tropical bombe alaska

tropical bombe alaska

Tropical bombe alaska

The mix of textures, flavours and temperatures combine in the classic king of desserts, the bombe alaska, to create a sensationally sweet dish.
The best Anzac biscuits recipe of all time , Neenish tarts , Honey coconut cake with caramel icing , Vanilla slice , Women’s Weekly Duck Cake recipe , Our classic pavlova recipe , Australian Women’s Weekly Dolly Varden Cake , Pineapple upside-down cake , Black forest mud cake , Sponge roll with jam and cream , Poached pear and quince with almond crumble , Creamy rice pudding with cinnamon sugar , Tropical bombe alaska

OLD-FASHIONED Apple and Rhubarb Pie

The best Anzac biscuits recipe of all time , Neenish tarts , Honey coconut cake with caramel icing , Vanilla slice , Women’s Weekly Duck Cake recipe , Our classic pavlova recipe , Australian Women’s Weekly Dolly Varden Cake , Pineapple upside-down cake , Black forest mud cake , Sponge roll with jam and cream , Poached pear and quince with almond crumble , Creamy rice pudding with cinnamon sugar , Tropical bombe alaska

opera gateau

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