Madeira Cake

Steps

1. 1
   Step 1:

   Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4.

2. 2
   Step 2:

   Grease an 18cm/7in round cake tin.

3. 3
   Step 3:

   Line the base of the tin with greaseproof paper and grease the paper.

4. 4
   Step 4:

   Cream the butter and sugar together in a bowl until pale and fluffy.

5. 5
   Step 5:

   Beat in the eggs one at a time, beating the mixture well between each addition.

6. 6
   Step 6:

   Add a tablespoon of the flour with the last egg to prevent the mixture from curdling.

7. 7
   Step 7:

   Sift the flour and gently fold it into the mixture.

8. 8
   Step 8:

   Fold in enough milk to make a mixture that falls slowly from the spoon.

9. 9
   Step 9:

   Fold in the lemon zest.

10. 10
    Step 10:

    Spoon the mixture into the prepared tin and lightly level the top.

11. 11
    Step 11:

    Bake on the middle shelf of the oven for 30–40 minutes, until golden-brown on top and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.

    30–40 min
12. 12
    Step 12:

    Remove from the oven and cool in the tin for 10 minutes.

    10 min
13. 13
    Step 13:

    Turn the cake out onto a wire rack and leave to cool completely.

14. 14
    Step 14:

    To serve, decorate the cake with the candied peel.