Name: Apple loaf with madeira syrup recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 70 min
Yield: 8
Ingredients: 125g butter, softened; 140g (2/3 cup) caster sugar; 2 tsp vanilla extract; 2 eggs; 200g (1 1/3 cups) self-raising flour; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; 185ml (¾ cup) buttermilk; 1 red delicious apple, cored, cut into thin wedges; 200g (1 cup) firmly packed brown sugar; 185ml (3/4 cup) water; 125ml (1/2 cup) Madeira or marsala

by Amira Georgy Last updated on 10/11/2022

This simple tea cake has all the flavours from a Madeira cake, but without having to buy one! Simply make this recipe when you have visitors popping over - it's perfect for sharing. - Amira Georgy

Ingredients

125g butter, softened
140g (2/3 cup) caster sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs
200g (1 1/3 cups) self-raising flour
1 tsp ground cinnamon
185ml (¾ cup) buttermilk
1 red delicious apple, cored, cut into thin wedges

Madeira syrup

200g (1 cup) firmly packed brown sugar
185ml (3/4 cup) water
125ml (1/2 cup) Madeira or marsala

Method

Step 1

Preheat oven to 180C/160C fan-forced. Grease and line a 7cm-deep, 13cm x 23cm loaf pan with baking paper extending paper over the two long sides.
Step 2

Use an electric mixer to beat butter, sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, until just combined between each addition. Fold in flour, cinnamon and buttermilk.
Step 3

Spoon mixture into prepared pan and level top. Top with apple and bake for 50 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
Step 4

Meanwhile, to make madeira syrup, place all the ingredients in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 12-15 minutes or until mixture reduces by a third. Cool completely.
Step 5

Use a skewer to poke holes into cake and pour ⅓ cup of the syrup over cake. Stand cake in pan to cool completely.
Step 6

Serve cake with remaining syrup.