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

This cake is rich and dense with butter, coconut and zest of lime which add a hint of warmer days to come.

This cake is rich and dense with butter, coconut and zest of lime which add a hint of warmer days to come. May Day has just passed so the Irish summer, or the ‘bright half’ of the year, has already begun.

There are many traditions associated with May Day, particularly ones to do with dairy and the fertility of a herd in the upcoming year. Special dishes involving butter, cream and milk were commonly created and consumed and butter was made on the eve of May Day, with salt added, to ensure it lasted well throughout the summer.