Lemon Madeira Cake

So I’ve recently started my second year at university, which is very exciting as I had a two and a half month long holiday, and boredom started to set in by mid January. Obviously varsity is a lot of work and tests and projects, and combining that with keeping my blog up and running is going to be challenging. Some days I get home at 5PM, then I still need to work, eat, gym, blog and sleep. But I decided that I’m gonna try upload 1 recipe during the week, and one on the weekend.

Today’s recipe is super easy and delicious. I was going through my grandma’s recipe book looking for a simple recipe to share, and came across this Madeira cake. This Madeira cake has a lovely and fresh lemon flavour to help cut through the sweetness of the buttery lemon drizzle icing. The zesty flavour comes from fresh lemon juice and grated rind that is added to the batter.

The texture of the cake is light, fluffy and super moist. Some of the Madeira cakes I’ve had in the past have been super dense and dry, and need lots of icing to make it palatable. The addition of the lemon drizzle in this recipe gives the cake a nice contrast in texture, and adds sweetness.

Lemon Madeira Cake with Lemon Drizzle

Recipe: Cake

• 113g softened butter
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla essence (1/2 tsp vanilla extract)
• zest of one lemon
• 3 eggs
• 1.5 cups flour
• 1.5 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1-2 Tbs fresh lemon juice

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180˚C (350˚F). Butter and line a cake tin with baking paper. Set aside.
2. Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla and lemon zest, and mix well.
3. Add the eggs to the mixture one at a time, beating well after each egg.
4. Sift the flour, baking powder and salt, and add to wet mixture. Beat until everything is well combined. Add the lemon juice and mix briefly. Don’t worry if mixture is quite thick.
5. Pour mixture into cake tin, and bake for 20-30 minutes, or until a skewer inserted comes out clean with no batter on it.
6. Let the cake cool in the tin for a few minutes. Turn cake out onto cooling rack and set aside.

Recipe: Lemon Drizzle

• 2-3 cups sifted icing sugar
• 1-2 Tbs fresh lemon juice
• 1 Tbs salted butter (unsalted can be used, but add a pinch of salt)

Method

1. Mix the icing sugar and lemon juice together in a heatproof small bowl. 
2. Add the butter and microwave for 40-45 seconds until everything is melted
3. Whisk until smooth. Pour over cooled Madeira cake, and decorate with candied lemon slices and mint leaves.

Such a great recipe to have for when you need to whip up a quick cake or sweet treat. It just goes to show that even when you’re busy with work or studies, if you truly have a passion for something, nothing will stand in your way. For me varsity will never stop me from baking!

Regards, Courtney xx