Madeira cake

Name: Madeira cake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 70 min
Total time: 90 min
Yield: 8
Ingredients: Type 00 flour 3 ¼ cups; Sugar 1 ¼ cup; Butter at room temperature 1.1 cups; Eggs medium, at room temperature 4; Vanilla bean 1; Baking powder 2 ¼ tsp

it de fr es br

Vegetarian

Difficulty: Easy
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h 10 min
Serving: 8
Cost: Low

PRESENTATION

If you’re on the hunt for a cake that brings a bit of class to your afternoon, the Madeira cake is a fantastic pick. I mean, this British sponge cake is known for its dense, moist texture and mild, sweet flavor. Unlike those airy cakes that sometimes just disappear, a slice of Madeira is solid and really satisfying—making it a favorite for tea time. Back in the day, it was super popular among England’s upper class, often paired with a glass of Madeira wine or a warm cup of tea. And look, despite its name, there’s actually no alcohol in the Madeira cake recipe—just a refreshing hint of lemon that keeps things interesting. Really, it does.

In the cake world, Madeira cake is loved for its firm structure and tender crumb, perfect for decorating. Its surface is smooth and golden, which is great for fondant or layered designs without worrying about crumbling. It’s pretty much the go-to base for birthday cakes or special occasion desserts. And in England, people love enjoying this traditional Madeira cake with tea, milk, or even a splash of leftover wine for that nostalgic vibe. Some regions like to sprinkle lemon zest on top or go with orange for a fresh twist, but the star is always that classic, slightly crisp outer crust and the soft, comforting inside. Whether you decide to keep it simple or dress it up—seriously, can't go wrong—this easy Madeira cake is perfect for a relaxed afternoon treat or a casual hangout with friends. Its charm really brings a slice of old English tea-time tradition into your kitchen, adding a warm, inviting feel to any gathering.

How to prepare Madeira cake

To prepare the Madeira cake, start by putting the room temperature butter together with the sugar in a bowl 1. Then turn on the mixer, alternatively, you can use a stand mixer or a hand whisk, and whip for 5 minutes 2 until the mixture becomes light and fluffy 3.

Then add the room temperature eggs, one at a time, to incorporate them without any problems 4. As soon as the mixture becomes fluffy and compact, turn off the mixer and add the seeds extracted from a vanilla pod 5. In a bowl, mix the baking powder and the flour 6

and add them while sifting them with a sieve 7. Turn on the mixer again at low speed, just long enough to mix everything 8. The batter is ready 9.

Transfer it to a greased and floured 8-inch diameter mold 10, carefully level the surface 11, and bake on the lowest shelf of the preheated static oven at 320°F, for about 70 minutes. Once the Madeira cake is baked, all that's left is to remove it from the mold and enjoy it 12!

Storage

You can store the Madeira cake for a couple of days under a glass dome in a cool place.
If you prefer, you can freeze the cake, preferably already cut into portions.
It is not possible to store the batter, so once it's ready, it should be baked.