Madeira Cake

Madeira cake, traditional in British or Irish fare, is similar to a sponge or butter cake. As such, it truly shines when served with fresh berries, a dollop of homemade whipped cream and, of course, a cup of tea. This Madeira cake recipe calls for just over a handful of ingredients, it can be made in under an hour, start to finish, and it’s versatile enough to customize. Read on to learn the simple steps to making a Madeira cake of your own.

Ingredients for Madeira Cake

• Unsalted butter: You’ll be creaming the butter together with the sugar, so be sure to soften the butter before starting.
• Sugar: Regular granulated sugar is fine here, but coconut sugar is another lovely option with a deeper, darker flavor.
• Lemon zest: This helps to give the Madeira cake a nice light, fresh taste.
• Eggs: To encourage a smooth blending process, allow eggs to reach room temperature before adding them in.
• All-purpose flour: This recipe calls for all-purpose flour, but you can use your favorite gluten-free flour mix if you’d like, in a 1-to-1 swap, or make your own gluten-free flour with this five-minute recipe.
• Baking powder: Baking powder is a leavening agent that helps to give this denser cake a bit of air.

Directions

Step 1: Start the batter

Preheat the oven to 325°F. Grease an 8×4-inch loaf pan, line it with parchment paper, then grease the parchment paper. In a large bowl or stand mixer, cream together the butter and 1 cup of sugar until light and fluffy, five to seven minutes. Beat in the lemon zest. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

Step 2: Add the dry ingredients

In another bowl, whisk the flour and baking powder, then gradually add this dry mixture to the creamed mixture.

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Step 3: Bake the cake

Transfer the batter to your prepared pan, then sprinkle the top with the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing it to a wire rack to cool completely.

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Madeira Cake Variations

• Add your own flavor: This Madeira cake recipe in particular is so amenable to making it your own. Consider adding marzipan, cherry extract or freshly grated orange zest in place of the lemon.
• Make it pretty: This type of cake is meant to be fairly basic, as it’s truly a simple cake. Topping it with slices of candied citrus and a simple vanilla glaze is a lovely way to take this cake recipe and turn it up a notch.

How to Store Madeira Cake

As with any cake, it’s important to store it in a completely airtight container. You can store a well-wrapped Madeira cake in a cool, dry place for up to a week. We recommend avoiding the fridge, however, as this will make the butter in the cake mix too hard. If the fridge is your only option, allow it to come to room temperature prior to serving.

Can you freeze Madeira cake?

Yes. You can store Madeira cake in the freezer for up to three months. To do so, you’ll need to allow the cake to cool completely and leave it wrapped in the greased paper lining. Wrap the cake and the paper lining in plastic wrap, then place this in a large freezer bag. To thaw, transfer the cake as is (bag and all!) into the fridge for a full 24 hours before decorating or serving.

Madeira Cake Tips

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Why is my Madeira cake drying out?

To keep a Madeira cake from getting too dry and crumbly, a few keys steps must be followed. For starters, it’s important to use room-temperature ingredients, as this allows the batter to more fully combine. Be sure not to overwork the batter, and above all else, be sure to not overbake the cake.

How do I make sure that this Madeira cake is done (but not overdone)?

Because it’s important to not overbake this cake, you’ve got to keep a good eye on it while it’s baking. As soon as the edges of the cake have started to pull slightly away from the pan, check to see if a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If it does, remove it immediately. Additionally, the internal temperature should be 98°.

What is traditionally served with Madeira cake?

Traditionally, this heavy cake is served with a glass of Madeira wine, a truly lovely complement to the spongier, thicker texture of this type of cake. Other options include berries, cheeses and a steamy cup of tea.