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.

Michelle Darmody: How to make quick and easy baked morning oats

In the US this dish is called a breakfast casserole but for some reason I prefer to call it baked morning oats.

Sat, 07 Nov, 2026

Piece of apple pie with walnut and sugar glaze

Michelle Darmody: How to bake a comforting cinnamon and apple cake

This recipe is the perfect cake for this time of year as the evenings darken and a cup of tea is appreciated to warm your hands.

Sat, 31 Oct, 2026

Pumpkin Cupcakes, Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting,
Christmas food, Homemade butterscotch cupcakes, Pumpkin cupcakes

Michelle Darmody: My family-friendly recipe to bake mini spiced pumpkin buns

A lot of our baking and decorating for Halloween is aimed at children, but these mini pumpkin filled cakes have a simple grown-up elegance.

Thu, 29 Oct, 2026

Halloween food. Scary chocolate cake with eyes and spiders on a plate on a dark background. Terrible food. Thematic food. Hallow

Michelle Darmody: How to bake a spooky Halloween brack

To decorate your brack into a spooky face make the most of any cracks and fill them with white sprinkles as teeth and ghoulish jelly eyes.

Sat, 17 Oct, 2026

Fresh homemade delicious oat and wholegrain muffins

Michelle Darmody: How to bake perfect pear and toffee buns

The buns will keep for about three days in an airtight container and they can be frozen.

Sat, 10 Oct, 2026

Top view of chicken and leek filo pastry pot pie. Homemade food. Light beige table background.

Michelle Darmody: How to bake chicken and leek pie

This is a good recipe if you have leftovers from a roast chicken, you can use this meat instead.

Sat, 03 Oct, 2026

Michelle Darmody: How to bake spiced sweet potato cake

If I am making them, I pop an extra few sweet potatoes into the oven with them, to use in baking.

Sat, 26 Sep, 2026

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