Madeira cake is a light, but close textured, rich sponge cake in traditional British cooking. My Zesty Lemon and Blueberry Madeira is a twist on this classic bake.
Great British baking
The Great British Bake Off began in 2010 and still graces our screens. Why? Because it celebrates all things British baking. Something which I also love to do. This recipe is a classic British bake inspired by one of the challenges set in the Great British Bake Off.
My recipe is a classic madeira cake, the sponge flavoured with citrus, but topped with juicy blueberries from my very own blueberry bush.
Although not entirely necessary, I chose to serve this with lemon icing and a drizzle of blueberry compote.
Madeira Cake should have a good crack on top. I've hidden mine with a very generous helping of blueberry compote but it is there I promise!
The cake itself was light and bouncy. The blueberries were well dispersed in the sponge (thanks to one of my top tips). The lemon drizzle icing really gives the cake an extra kick.
Just one of these simple loaf cakes can serve 16 people. It slices easily making it very easy to serve.
The recipe
For more recipes inspired by the Great British Bake Off check out the recipe collection.
Lemon and Blueberry Madeira Cake
Ingredients
- 175 grams butter unsalted
- 225 grams caster sugar
- 3 eggs eggs
- 50 millilitres milk
- 1 lemon juice and zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 200 grams self-raising flour
- 50 grams ground almonds
- 250 grams blueberries
- 200 grams icing sugar
- 4 tablespoon Blueberry conserve
Instructions
- Begin by preheating your oven to gas mark 3 or 160C.
- Prepare a loaf tin by either lining the tin with greaseproof paper or greasing with a little butter and a coating of flour.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and 175g of the sugar (keep the rest to one side) until it is light, soft, creamy and pale.
- Whisk the eggs together in a small bowl, then add to the creamed butter and sugar a little at a time, mixing well in between each addition.
- Add in the lemon zest and vanilla.
- Next, fold in the flour and almonds until you have a thick batter.
- Add in the milk to loosen slightly before stirring in 100g of the blueberries (place the rest to one side).
- Spoon the batter into the load tin and level out.
- Bake in the centre of your oven for an hour or until it is golden on top and a skewer poked into the middle comes out clean.
- Leave to cool in the tin completely before tipping out on to a wire wrack.
- To make the lemon icing, simply mix the lemon juice and icing sugar until a thin runny consistency. Add a little extra water if necessary.
- For the blueberry compote, simply heat the blueberries with the sugar in a small pan until the sugar is dissolved and the blueberries have burst.
- Before serving, drizzle the lemon icing and blueberry compote across the top of the cake.
- Serve in generous slices.
Nutrition
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For the full range of British recipes check out the British recipe archive.
nazima says
I love this cake- my favourite flavours. I have not been too much into the bake off this year but will no doubt get more engaged as it goes on!
Emma Walton says
Thanks Nazima! You can't go wrong with Lemon and Blueberry 🙂 I haven't ever watched a whole series and won't this year either as I'm on hols but it always gets better towards the end
Emily says
What a lovely result! I loooove the lemon and blueberry combination too x
Emma Walton says
Thanks Emily! I also have some blueberry and lemon curd muffins on here somewhere! They are delish!
Diana says
Lemon and blackberries is one of my favorite combinations! This cake looks sooo good YUM!
Lucy @ Bakingqueen74 says
Looks so good, I love lemon and blueberry. Thinking back now I am surprised no one on GBBO added fruit like we both did. Such innovators here!
Emma Walton says
Haha we are clearly better than all of them 😉 damson is such an original idea too! Paul and Mary would've been impressed with you!
Tracy says
Great looking cake - I also picked madeira to make. I haven't decided on my favourite yet, but the other Paul (not Hollywood) is almost as scary as his namesake.
Emma Walton says
Haha the likeness is uncanny isn't it!!!
Kerry at Kerry Cooks says
This looks SO yummy! Love lemon and blueberry together - thanks for entering it into this month's Cake Club!
Emma Walton says
Thanks Kerry! And my pleasure. Already planning next month's entry 😉
Shadi Hasanzadenemati says
That glaze on top and those blueberries are just calling my name! Now that blueberry is in season, I'm all about everything blueberry!
Emma Walton says
Thanks Shadi. There's nothing better than a sticky sweet compote when blueberries are in season 🙂
Kathryn @ FoodieGirlChicago says
I've got to start watching the show - everyone keeps talking about it! Love the flavor combo in this!
Emma Walton says
Thanks Kathryn! It is a great programme. Very entertaining
Raia says
Oh my, that looks delicious! I might have to give a gluten-free version a try! Do you have a recipe for that compote, by the way? It looks amazing. 🙂
Emma Walton says
I'd love to see a gluten free version! The compote is just 1/2 cup of water, 1/2 cup of sugar and 2 cups blueberries in a pan. Heat low and let the sugar melt. The blueberries will start to pop. Let it all simmer gently until thick and sticky 🙂 I like to add a little lemon zest or star anise to it as well. Enjoy!
lisa @garlicandzest.com says
Didn't get to see the British Bakeoff - but your blueberry cake looks spot on delicious!
Emma Walton says
Thanks Lisa! I'm looking forward to the next series. Can't be long now!
Gwen @simplyhealthyfamily says
Sounds fun! This looks amazing!! I love the topping!
Emma Walton says
Thanks Gwen. Blueberry compote is so easy to make. Just 1/2 cup water 1/2 cup sugar and 2 cups blueberries. Pop it all in a pan and simmer until thick and sticky. It's delicious!