What says tea time better than a lemon Madeira loaf? Topped with some fresh seasonal berries and stunning flowers…get that kettle boiling and the teapot ready! Although this may seem like just a lemony flavoured cake that seems plain, you’ll realise its beauty as you start slicing and enjoying it with a hot cuppa tea, the ultimate ‘mood-lifter’. This Madeira cake recipe is just a few basic ingredients and is just as simple to make.
Makes: 1 x 22cm loaf
Madeira cake does not originate from Maderia, but is rather an English (British) classic, so why is it called Madeira? Way back, it became common practice for the British to have a slice of this delicious cake whilst sipping on Madeiran wine, so much so that the cake eventually got named after it. In fact, Maderia actually has their own traditional cake called Bolo de Mel which is actually dark and sticky as it is made with molasses or honey.
If you love a seedy cake, then you should definitely add a few poppy seeds to this recipe.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container or cake tin and are best eaten within three days of baking. If, for some strange reason, you leave it to long and your Madeira loaf becomes slightly stale…enjoy it warm with custard or make a trifle!
