Madeira Cake with lemon and orange zest – Zesty and traditional

Have you been searching for a snack to go with your morning or afternoon tea? This traditional Madeira Cake with lemon and orange zest is here to save you. Madeira cake was originally made to accompany Madeira wine made on these islands in the 18th century but paired with tea in the 21st.

This Madeira cake recipe is easy to make, delicious, and trusted! The traditional recipe made with lemon and orange zest is light, soft, moist with a firm texture. Just the sight of this golden-yellow loaf makes you want to bake it straight away.  

Madeira cake is tasty without any toppings due to the zesty citrus flavours but you can always add a topping. Add some lemon icing or fruit when serving for the best results. 

Tea time or your next wine party will never be the same!

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Madeira Cake with lemon and orange zest

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Recipe by Irene Muller Course: Snacks, DessertCuisine: GlobalDifficulty: Easy

Servings

8

servings

Prep time

20

minutes

Cooking time

1

hour 

Resting Time

15

minutes

Total time

1

hour 

20

minutes

Ingredients

• 225 g butter (softened)

• 1 cup caster sugar

• 3 tsp orange zest (finely grated)

• 1 tsp lemon zest (finely grated)

• 3 whole eggs

• 1 cup self-raising flour

• ¾ cup plain flour

• ½ cup milk

Method

• Preheat oven 160C Fan / 180C / 350F – Gas 4.
• Butter and line the base of a small loaf tin with greaseproof paper or use Cook ‘n Spray.
• Using an electric whisk, beat together, lemon zest, orange zest, butter and sugar until light and creamy.
• Beat in the eggs one at a time.
• Sift the flours. Sift again every time you add it to the mixture.
• Fold in the flour carefully, alternatively with the milk until all the flour and milk is used.
• Add the batter into the tin and smooth over the top. 
• Bake for 55 mins to 1 hour until a skewer or knife, inserted in the middle, comes out clean.
• Remove from the oven then leave to cool for 15 mins.
• Peel away the paper and leave on a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. 

Notes

• Delicious with custard as a dessert.
• The loaf will keep in an airtight container for three days.

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Are you in the mood for more traditional foods? We have excellent suggestions for you to try, just check out our recipes.