Michelle Darmody: Easy cakes to enjoy with a cup of tea

Spelt works best in cakes that do not need to rise too much, like the orange cake.

A slice of freshly baked cake is a perfect accompaniment to an afternoon cup of tea on an autumn’s day.

What is even nicer than tucking into a sweet slice is the smell of the cake baking in the oven? Baking your own treats can take a little time but is much more cost-effective than buying them. It is also nice to know what goes into making them, and you can amend recipes and flavours to suit your taste.