Loafing around at afternoon teatime

A good loaf punches high for flavour and texture. *Gently* punches, of course, preferably while seated. That's the thing about a loaf - pausing to enjoy a slice is all part of the ritual.

Apple bread with whipped honey butter Source: Alan Benson

The rituals around eating have never been more important than they are right now. Without food to look forward to, how on earth would we break up our days?

Afternoon tea (or if you prefer your break mid-morning) should not be forgotten in your obsessing. Especially when it involves a loaf.

Like name, like nature, the loaf is a simple cake that's just made for pausing over. Denser than a sponge, more flavoursome than your average muffin, and long in the oven so you can fragrance your house with temptation. The key to a loaf is in using a loaf tin, not any other kind of cake pan.

Loaves are naturally very forgiving. Most of these offerings here can practically be mixed in the pan.

Jewish honey cake

Cinnamon, ginger, cloves, allspice, orange zest and freshly brewed coffee all enrich this dense, moist loaf. Source: Alan Benson

Traditionally baked by Ashkenazi Jews for Rosh Hashanah, lekach symbolises the hope of a ‘sweet’ and prosperous new year. We need to action this loaf immediately!

Romanian sponge cake

You can find versions of this Easter bread in Italy, Austria, Poland and Bulgaria. Source: Alan Benson

Don't be fooled by the name, cozonac is definitely more loaf than sponge. It's actually quite bread-like, with a chewy, open crumb. You'll need to allow plenty of proving and cooling time to do this traditional Romanian loaf justice.

Castella cake

Loaf magic, courtesy of your fridge... Source: Alan Benson

This honey-scented loaf is a specialty of the Nagasaki area, brought to Japan in the 16th century by Portuguese merchants. There's a trick to getting the bouncy texture just right: don't serve it straight from the oven. You need to wrap it while still warm and put it in the fridge overnight.

Avocado loaf with a raspberry glaze

Mashed avocado brings nutrition, flavour and a little extra colour to this dazzling loaf. Source: China Squirrel

A loaf need never be boring, as Poh proves with this festive avocado and raspberry version. A stand mixer does most of the work for you and then it's into the oven. The raspberry glaze - which is made from frozen raspberries - would be just the thing served up alongside any of the cakes shown here.

Nana's date nut loaf

Could this be the quintessential-loaf loaf? Source: Harper Collins

If you have a nana /nanna/ granny of your own, she likely has her own recipe for a date nut loaf. It's the kind of loaf that's been passed on through generations because the world's problems are all solved over a slice of thickly-buttered date nut loaf and a strong cuppa.

Use It All loaf

Eat this for breakfast, pop it into lunchboxes and serve it with tea in the afternoon Source: Murdoch Books / Cath Muscat

The quintessential 'throw it in there and see if it works' recipe. Nuts, seeds, chocolate, veggies, fruits, spices - in it all goes and this robust loaf recipe somehow still works.

Choc-orange loaf with chocolate glaze

This dead-easy cake is made completely in the food processor using a whole orange, rind and all! Source: Alan Benson

Most loaves can stand-alone without icing, but we'd never say no to a sweet glaze or topping. Here, the chocolate in the loaf is enhanced by a subtle cream and chocolate. By all means, make this loaf without it and it will still have a big jaffa flavour.

Carrot and parsnip picnic loaf

Make this recipe and you'll soon be heading off on lots of picnics - any excuse... Source: Alan Benson

Packing in the veggies is where a loaf really comes into its own, and this carrot loaf recipe is a case in point. The result is a moist cake that can withstand a little battering. Which is why it's perfect for lugging across the fields to your perfect picnic spot.

Yoghurt, blackberry and olive oil loaf cake

Eat this one every day! Source: Cook like an Italian

Loaf recipes can often be less sweet and rich than a traditional cake. This Italian yoghurt version is practically a health food.

Rum and raisin chocolate cake

Rum-soaked raisins and lashings of chocolate topping make this a very easygoing loaf indeed. Source: Murdoch Books / Greg Elms

Cor blimey, if this one doesn't make you rush out to find your loaf tin, you're basically never going to make a loaf. It's got over three shots of rum in the recipe, for a very relaxed afternoon indeed.

Sweet Mexican corn cake

The juicier the corn kernels, the more custardy your cake will be. Source: Alan Benson

This is nothing like an American-style cornbread. Rather, it's loaded with corn and... condensed milk. An unusual combination that works a treat. The resulting sweet loaf has a creamy texture, not dissimilar to bread pudding, and if you're really lucky, a layer of silky custard will form at the bottom.

Apple bread with whipped honey butter

Any variety of apple will do for this easy recipe. Don't miss making the honey butter as it makes this loaf very extra. Source: Alan Benson

Around here, we're suckers for anything with apple in it. Throw them into a loaf and we're in heaven.

Coconut-banana bread

15 minutes prep time followed by 50 minutes salivating as it bakes in the oven. Source: Alan Benson

A further example of the loaf taking fruit and veg to someplace special. This coconut-banana bread gets more delicious over time, but you'll have Buckleys saving a piece or two from the hoards. Do try, though, as it's perfection for breakfast with a slathering of the honey butter from the apple bread recipe above!