The Madeira Cake is a sponge or butter cake typical of traditional Irish and British cuisine.
It is named after Madeira wine, a Portuguese wine from the islands, popular in England in the mid-1800s and often served with the cake.
The inhabitants of Madeira produce their traditional cake – bolo de mel – which has nothing to do with Madeira Cake, as it is a dark, spiced honey cake, more similar to Pound cake or yellow cake.
The cake has a dense yet light consistency. It is traditionally consumed with lemon-flavored tea.
The ingredients are simply: butter, flour, sugar, eggs, and baking powder.
I made a version filled with a candied cherry cream: Cherry Madeira Cake, as it is a basic recipe that lends itself well to fillings and cake design.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Affordable
- Preparation time: 5 Minutes
- Portions: 6 people
- Cooking methods: Oven
- Cuisine: Irish
- Seasonality: All seasons
Ingredients for a 9.5 inch pan:
- 1 cup butter
- 1.25 cups sugar
- 2.5 cups flour
- 4 eggs
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 pinch salt
- 3/4 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup candied cherries
Tools
- 1 Pan 9.5-inch cake pan
Steps
Combine the sugar with the melted butter. Incorporate the flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt.
Beat the eggs and add them to the mixture.
Add grated lemon zest.
Bake in a static oven at 338°F for 1 hour.
Mix the yogurt with the powdered sugar, then add the candied cherries cut in half.
Mix.
Once the cake has cooled, cut it in half and fill it with the cream.
If you want to make the cake using a 7-inch pan (like mine), the quantities are: 3/4 cup of butter, 3/4 cup of sugar, 1.5 cups of flour, 3 eggs, and 1.5 tsp of baking powder.
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
Do you know the Ring of Kerry?
The Ring of Kerry is a famous road known worldwide for its stunning and unspoiled landscapes, located in southwestern Ireland, specifically on the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry.
Featured in many novels and TV series like “The Irish R.M.” based on the writings of Somerville and Ross, offering a glimpse into Irish rural life.
