It's lunchbox-stuffing time of year, and it can be difficult to find variations each day. I find these muffins are a winner, as they contain firm favourites like sweetcorn and cheddar cheese.

When any fruits are in season, the price generally comes down and it is a great time to bake with them - and in the case of apples to make use of their versatility.

"The chocolate ganache topping is a great thing to have in your repertoire and can be used in anything from making chocolate truffles to icing buns or filling tarts."

Blackberries can be used for more than jam. As the harvest season progresses and school starts again, loaf cakes like these are handy for afternoon snacks. 

"It is fussier to make than your average dessert, but when done well has a great novelty and wow factor."

"Pasties, a filling encased in a crisp pastry, are prevalent in many cultures and there are endless ways to combine savoury ingredients before stuffing them into the pastry."

'One of my old friends, Tonie Walsh was involved in the first Pride Parade in Ireland in 1983. It took courage and defiance to walk the streets of our capital at a time when being in a relationship with someone you loved was illegal, and posed a danger to your safety'

Berries are at their best in Ireland right now. They have soaked up the warm summer sun and turned it into a delicious, juicy sweetness, but even at their sweetest they add a sourness as a foil to the white chocolate in the cake. 

Commercially grown cherries that we buy in shops are grown for the bigger sweeter berries they provide. A fresh cherry should have a shiny, taut skin and no soft patches. 

This cake is a tasty way to solve the problem of your end-season glut. It can also be made into a loaf, without the icing and the curd, for a simpler day-to-day lunchtime snack.