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.

Fresh baked tarts with marmalade filling and apricot jam in glass jar on cutting board on rustic wooden table.

Michelle Darmody: How to bake mini apricot tarts

If you handle your butter too much while making pastry, it will melt into an oil, and the pastry will never be crisp

Sat, 13 Jun, 2026

Michelle Darmody: How to make a delicious no-bake strawberry tart

This recipe can also be used for cheesecakes or chocolate filled tarts

Sat, 06 Jun, 2026

Michelle Darmody: How to bake a light and textured raspberry cream puff

Raspberries are the perfect accompaniment to the sweet, soft crème pâtissière and crisp and flaky pastry in this recipe.

Sat, 30 May, 2026

Michelle Darmody: How to bake the ultimate chocolate traybake for large groups

This cake is a birthday classic

Sat, 23 May, 2026

Michelle Darmody: How to bake pistachio and honey cake

Although it is a pain to de-shell large quantities of pistachios, it is best to buy them still in their shells as they stay fresher for longer

Sat, 16 May, 2026

Michelle Darmody: How to bake summer fruit loaf

Raw rhubarb softens perfectly while baking. It will become tender and juicy in the oven as the sponge bakes

Sun, 10 May, 2026

cake,Sponge cake with white chocolate,Victoria Sponge Cake

Michelle Darmody: How to bake a lime and coconut cake in under an hour

Coconut and lime are an exotic addition to an Irish cake, but coconuts have long been used in Ireland

Sat, 02 May, 2026

Homemade Warm Strawberry Thumbprint Cookies

Michelle Darmody: How to bake peanut butter and jelly cookies

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches once held a fairytale like aura, far removed from 1980s Ireland.

Sat, 25 Apr, 2026

Michelle Darmody: How to bake a perfect rhubarb and raspberry galette

I decided my freshly picked rhubarb needed a special use

Sat, 11 Apr, 2026

Cupcake Decoration colored glaze.Baking Easter Holiday.selective focus.

Michelle Darmody: How to make the perfect Bundt cake this Easter

Bundt style cakes hail from Austria, Germany and Eastern Europe

Sat, 04 Apr, 2026