Madeira Cake

Method

• step 1

  Preheat oven to 170C/325F/Gas 3. Grease a 23 x 13 cm loaf tin

• step 2

  With an electric mixer, cream the butter/margerine, adding the sugar 2 tablespoons at a time until light and fluffy. Stir in the lemon rind and the vanilla

• step 3

  Add the eggs 1 at a time, along with a tablespoon of the flour, beating for 1 minute after each addition

• step 4

  Sift over the flour and baking powder and stir until just combined.

• step 5

  Pour the cake mixture into the tin and tap lightly. Bake until a metal skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean, about 1 1/4 hours

• step 6

  Allow to cool in the tin on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then turn out and allow to cool completely