Columns - Irish Examiner

Michelle Darmody

Michelle Darmody is a baking expert and writer, as well as an award-winning author. Michelle works across food education, sustainability and food policy and has a Doctorate in Culinary Arts.

Close-up image of rows of homemade apple muffins in paper cake cases topped with crumble on wire metal cooling rack, marble effe

Michelle Darmody: How to bake tart and sweet apple muffins

This same recipe can be modified to make nut and raisin muffins, an apple loaf cake, or dairy free apple and cranberry muffins

Sat, 19 Sep, 2026

Freshly baked whole wheat rye bread rolls

Michelle Darmody: How to follow a magical process and bake your own bread rolls

The strong white flour is high in gluten which gives the dough its wonderfully bouncy and stretchy nature.

Sat, 12 Sep, 2026

Fig Cookies with fruits on wooden surface.

Michelle Darmody: How to bake your own Fig Rolls at home

They will last for four days in an airtight container in a cool place. They can be frozen in a sealed container or freezer bag.

Sat, 05 Sep, 2026

Michelle Darmody: How to bake a delicious blackberry pie

The pie does not freeze very well but it will last three days in an airtight container in a cool place.

Sat, 29 Aug, 2026

Michelle Darmody: Love raspberry and peach? Here's how to bake a melba cake with both

Peaches are extra sweet and tasty in the summer as they are ripening on trees across Europe and shipped to our shores

Sat, 22 Aug, 2026

Slices of carrot cake with cream cheese frosting on a plate

Michelle Darmody: If you love carrot cake you have to try this alternative recipe

I generally use a springform tin for this cake but a loose-base one is also good.

Mon, 17 Aug, 2026

Cut peaces of dark chocolate moist buttermilk sheet cake with chocolate butter cream, homemade dessert on a cookig resting tray

Michelle Darmody: How to bake chocolate and courgette slices

Courgettes not only add bulk to baking, they also keep moisture in a cake

Sat, 08 Aug, 2026

Fresh baked chocolate macarons on wooden texture

Michelle Darmody: How to bake marvellous macarons

Though they are notoriously difficult to bake, Michelle Darmody provides helpful tips that if followed will ensure it will go smoothly

Sat, 01 Aug, 2026

Sweet Homemade Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Michelle Darmody: How to bake a classic pineapple upside-down cake

Allowing the cake to rest in the tin before flipping it over allows the caramel that has formed during baking to solidify slightly

Sat, 18 Jul, 2026

Beautiful, fruit naked cake over a white wall

Michelle Darmody: How to bake genoise sponge

Unlike other sponge cakes, Genoise sponge doesn't have any raising agent and uses cooled melted butter in the making of the sponge

Sat, 11 Jul, 2026