Rachel Allens Cake Diaries Season 1: Episode Guide & Ratings

The chef demonstrates that cakes are suitable for a variety of occasions, from the traditional celebrations they are often associated with to more casual and intimate moments, and gives tips on icing, decorating, baking and serving. She begins with creations suitable for catching up with friends over cups of tea, including crunchy peanut butter muffins, banoffee blondies and a wheat-free chocolate, rum and almond cake.

A cake can make the perfect gift, so Rachel shares some that have fun, warmth and affection baked into their very heart. Cupcakes can be a great way to celebrate a new baby, so she makes strawberry for a girl and blueberry for a boy. Rachel's vegan raspberry muffins are a great gift for her vegetarian friend. Maple pecan and lemongrass coconut cakes make special treats for family and friends.

The chef demonstrates how to bake the perfect treats to keep a house full of sport-loving boys from getting hungry. She prepares marbled chocolate crumble cake and cheesecake brownies, as well as a golden syrup loaf ideal for picnics, and toscatarta almond cake - her husband's favourite snack.

The chef prepares birthday cakes, including teddy bear and princess creations based on simple sponges with impressive decorations. She also whips up chocolate cupcakes with a honeycomb topping as party treats, and combines sponge and chocolate into an easy-to-eat cake on a stick.

The chef makes cakes with summery flavours that are ideal for packed lunches to be taken on days out. Recipes include chocolate beetroot brownies, whose earthy richness Rachel believes will travel well, as well as lemon and rosemary polenta cake and Brittany butter cake, which are ideal for picnics. Plus, rhubarb and custard Swiss roll, which she recommends serving at the end of a barbecue.

The chef bakes for a variety of romantic occasions. She creates red velvet cupcakes as a Valentine's treat, a chocolate and hazelnut cheesecake that holds special memories of her honeymoon, a pistachio cake and a white chocolate anniversary cake.

The chef prepares cakes that make the ideal comfort food for people who want to spoil themselves or others. Recipes include carrot cake, sweet and filling banana, almond and honey muffins, spicy chocolate torte and a chocolate and toffee ice cream creation.