This sticky orange marmalade loaf cake is quick and easy to make, packed with flavour and a real tea time treat!
Orange Marmalade Loaf Cake
Cakes are a welcome treat in almost any situation, and a cake like this sticky marmalade loaf cake, which can be whipped together is a few minutes is a particularly quick and easy treat. I’d like to think that if he had been offered a slice Paddington would have kept a piece of cake, rather than a marmalade sandwich under his hat.
While toast and marmalade for breakfast is an absolutely quintessentially British classic, this cake is a great way of enjoying the bitter flavours at other times of day. But don’t feel that you can only make this cake with home-made marmalade – a pot of ready-made will work just as well.
Proper marmalade is so much more than just an orange jam. It is made from bitter Seville oranges; available for a few short weeks at the start of the year in January, which are simmer, the peel shredded then cooked with sugar to make the “jam”. If you make your own, it is best to leave it for a year before eating. We are currently enjoying the last of the 2008 vintage!
How to make Orange Marmalade Loaf Cake
Step one – Butter a 1lb/15cm/6″ loaf tin, and line it with baking parchment. Heat the oven to 160°C (fan)/ 320°F/gas mark 4.
Step two – Beat butter and sugar together until pale and fluffy. I like to use an electric whisk.
Step three – Whisk the eggs into the butter and sugar mixture.
Step four – Sift the flour. Fold in the remaining dry ingredients – the flour, salt and baking powder.
Step five – Fold in the marmalade and milk. Work gently to form a batter.
Step six – Transfer the mixture to the loaf tin.
Step seven – Bake. Loaf cakes are thicker than those baked in normal cake tins, so will take longer to cook. This one takes about 50 to 55 minutes. Check as normal with a skewer or toothpick. Keep an eye on the cake, and if the top has browned but the cake isn’t fully cooked, then cover it with foil.
When developing and testing this recipe, we also tried the cake just with orange zest in the batter, and the marmalade used as the glaze. The double marmalade, however, is undoubtedly better. This recipe would also be ideal for using up a half jar of crystallized dried out marmalade from the back of the fridge. Simply stir in a little water and microwave in 10 second bursts to soften, before stirring into the batter.
Hints & Tips
A loaf cake is really all about the flavour, and not the decoration. Don’t spend ages worrying about the looks, and that this cake doesn’t look like an entry for the village fete best decorated cake competition; just enjoy the taste.
It’s best to wait a while before pouring the marmalade drizzle on top. The cake should be warm enough to absorb the drizzle, but not so hot that it gets all runny and runs off.
When you make the drizzle, mix the icing sugar and water first and then add the marmalade. If you try the other way round, you will never get rid of the lumps of icing sugar.
This is a cake to enjoy at any time of day. It works really well as a pudding or dessert at the end of a meal, served with cream. For a real touch of luxury, stir a little marmalade through the cream. Or for a absolutely traditional British moment, a slice at tea-time, with a mug of tea (from a proper pot) really hits the mark. Taking a few quite moments with a cup of tea and slice of cake is a great way to relax.
More easy cakes!
- Easy olive oil cake
- Dorset apple cake
- Easy fruit bread
- Easy ginger cake
- Lemon and berry yogurt loaf cake
Sticky Orange Marmalade Loaf Cake
Ingredients
For the cake
- 120 g unsalted butter (allowed to soften)
- 100 g caster sugar
- 2 eggs (lightly beaten)
- 120 g plain flour
- pinch salt
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- 3 tbsp Seville orange marmalade
- 2 tbsp milk
For the icing
- 1 tbsp marmalade
- 50 g icing sugar
- 1 tbsp warm water
Instructions
For the cake
- Preheat oven to 160°C (fan)/ 320°F/gas mark 4. Butter a 15cm/6" loaf tin, and line with baking parchment/silicone paper.
- Beat the butter with a wooden spoon or electric mixer until creamy. Add the sugar and beat until the mixture lightens in colour and becomes fluffy
- Beat in the eggs. Mix together the flour, salt and baking powder well in a separate bowl, and add to the butter, sugar and egg mixture. Fold in the flour. Add the marmalade and milk, and fold in as well.
- Spoon the mixture into the loaf tin and spread. Bake for about 50 – 55 mins until golden brown and firm to the touch, and when a cocktail stick is poked into the cake it comes out clean. Allow to cool for 5 minutes then run a round blade knife round the inside of he tin and turn out onto a wire rack.
For the sticky marmalade glaze
- Sift the icing sugar into a bowl, add the warm water and mix. Stir in the marmalade. Spoon the mix over the cake, letting it run down the sides. Leave to set before cutting.
Notes
- Keep an eye on the cake whilst it is baking and once it is golden brown loosely cover with foil to stop it over browning, for the rest of the cooking time.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- This recipe is 13 Weight Watchers Smart Points per portion
Sarah, Maison Cupcake
Great looking cake – I am dying to spot some reduced cream and do some home made butter myself!
Helen
the butter is fantastic! Be interesting to see how it comes out in a food processor. Also made bread with the buttermilk.
Simply.food
Beautiful cake , looks delectable and awesome clicks.
Helen
Thanks Nayna.
Andrea
This recipe looked really good but when we tried to bake it in a 15cm loaf tin, it started leaking out of the sides, loads of it was on tray we had to put underneath. :(
Helen
Hi Andrea, Sorry to hear that – does your loaf tin leak with other cake recipes? it is a fairly runny batter – but I’ve never had any cakes leak from any of my tins.
Choclette
I’m a recent fan of marmalade in cakes and this one looks delicious and very pretty too. Have the book, must bake :)
Helen
My jury is still out on the book, the last one was riddled with mistakes, am wondering how many of the Amazon reviewers have made more than one thing?
Katie
that looks divine Helen – perhaps I’ll make one using the marmalade we got at Whatley Manor yesterday! Well done on making your own butter – impressive!
Helen
I think the Whatley Manor marmalade does not have enough peel in it. The cake needs peel. However, it is quite excellent on toast, the marmalade that is!
C
I really enjoyed that cake when I made it. I recall that you were going to bake through the first book last year? I guess you gave up with frustration given what you’ve said in this post! Hope you have better luck with this book – I’ve made a few things and enjoyed them!
Helen
I did give up. You have reminded me to put the wretched thing in the recycle bin, would not want anyone else to try to bake from it.
Short and Sweet all the way for me!
Elizabeth @Mango_Queen
What a great recipe and it would go well with the Orange Marmalade I made! Glad to share citrus-love with you!
Helen
Marmalade is such a good way to enjoy that tangy citrus flavour.
Soni
I can say just by looking at these that they’re absolutely delicious!Thanks for sharing!
Helen
Thank you Soni, I do enjoy a tasty loaf cake.
Laura@howtocookgoodfood
I was contemplating making some marmalade this month and love Mary Berry’s marmalade tray bake recipe. Yours looks great and as for home-made butter, now I am intrigued to know more!
Helen
I did submit it to Foodgawker. Lighting issues. Dull.
Jayne
This looks lovely! I needed an idea to use up some of marmalade I made last year!
Helen
It would be a great way of using your marmalade.
Georgie
Gorgeous cake… hmmm! Beautiful photographs – make me want this cake even more!
Helen
Thank you Georgie, there is something rather delicious about homemade loaf cake.
bakingaddict
Looks delicious! I love the icing dripping down the side of the cake – great picture! Thanks for entering it to #citruslove. I have the same book but have not made anything from it yet. I cant wait to see your homemade butter recipe :)
Helen
I do feel that loaf cakes do not need to be overly pretty, it is all about the taste. Yummy.
juniakk @ mis pensamientos
ahhh this cake looks decadent! sticky gooey cakes are the best. sending some #citruslove to you!
Helen
A proper treat is always gooey and sticky.
valerie
That cake looks awesome! I’m sure it would be delicious with milk or tea at breakfast!
Helen
A perfect afternoon treat with a cup of tea.
Mama's Gotts Bake
This cake looks amazingly good. Can’t wait to give it a try.
Helen
It is deliciously good.
Dominic
I think Marmalade Cake is one of lifes little wonders… my grandma gave me her recipe years ago and I simply adore it. This one looks damn fine too and I love all the sticky icing!… thanks so much for taking part this month xxx
Helen
I love having recipes that have been passed down families.
Ruthie Ellis
What a heavenly looking cake – delicious!
Helen
Deliciously sticky, with the tangy marmalade.
Glamorous Glutton
Wow! making your own butter how fabulous! This cake looks lovely and must be really delicious with homemade butter. GG
Helen
It is a lovely slice of deliciousness for a proper treat.
Natasha Kendall
This looks amazing! I love loaf cakes, as they work well in using up lots of excess fruit around the kitchen :)
Helen
Loaf cakes are great, no fuss, and so yummy.
Gareth Torrance
Oh man, this looks so delicious! I’m gonna have to try and make this some time…
Helen
I hope you find the time, it will be worth it.
Sarah Bailey
My Dad gets heartburn and lot and swears by Rennie, I’ve had a few thrust at me when I’ve have a crazy fit of the hiccups as well.
The marmalade cake sounds absolutely delicious as well.
Helen
I’ve found Rennie very helpful for heartburn, such a horrible thing to have.
hannah
This does look very good. I will have to try and make it some time, bet it tastes amazing
Helen
The tangy marmalade is just wonderful.
Vicky
Well that cake looks so good. I absolutely love orange flavoured cakes.
Because of anxiety and stress I suffer really badly with heartburn. I did try Rennies once before.
V ??
Helen
The tangy/sweetness combination is really delicious.
melissa major
oh wow! this looks like an amazing recipe! I will have to make this one day
Helen
I hope you get the chance to try it out, very yummy.
Rhian Westbury
Cake is perfect for all situations and I love orange flavourings so this gets my thumbs up x
Helen
Can’t fault a delicious cake to make the day better.
Stephanie Merry
Now this looks tasty! I’ve not made a cake in so long, I may have to make this at the weekend x
Helen
The great thing about this kind of recipe is how easy it is to make, and no fuss over decoration.
Ana De- Jesus
I have to say , I have never tried Marmalade cake before but my god how heavenly does it look? I would happily devour this in 5 seconds flat !
Helen
The marmalade is such a lovely flavour to have, really enjoyable.
Emily Leary
The crumb looks absolutely perfect, I would be a very happy woman to sit down with a slice of this and a cup of tea!
Helen
The perfect afternoon moment, cake and tea.
Pam's Kitchen
Would love to try this but don’t know how to convert the butter,sugar and flour into cups. This must be a silly request no one else has mentioned it!
Helen
The amounts for grams to cups will differ with wet and dry ingredients. It would be advisable to look up a converter on the internet, they are easy to find and easy to use.
Jemma @ Celery and Cupcakes
I love marmalade, this looks sooo delicious…how amazing that you made your own butter too!
Helen
Marmalade is a great ingredient to use for this loaf cake, such a good flavour.
Angela Milnes
Omg. It really looks beautiful and yummy cake looks like I want to try this now it makes me hungry.
Helen
It is very moreish once you have a slice, so tasty.
nicol
ooo that is looks lovely! i love how you’ve drizzled the cake, random but it looks good haha
Helen
Dizzling the cake while it is still warm, results in a delicious sticky top layer.
Rebecca
This looks delicious, I’m really enjoying citrus flavours at the moment. I remember my Mum telling me that when she was pregnant she used to eat rennie tablets like they were sweets…!
Helen
I love citrus cakes – I think they are far better to make really delicious than a chocolate cake.
Donna
Well this looks utterly delightful! My husband was looking over my shoulder and now he has to have it!
Helen
Time to bake one for tea time!
Ashleigh
I’ve never thought about using marmalade to make a cake, but I have to say… it looks delicious! :-)
Helen
It is ideal in a cake – so quick and easy
Janet Yarwood
This looks amazing. My little girl is doing a cake sale at the weekend so I may have to give it a try
Helen
Hope the cake sale goes well!
kathi @ Laughing Spatula
I love citrus anything! This recipe looks fabulous…can’t wait to try it!
Helen
this is destined to become a favourite cake
Lisa | Garlic & Zest
I’ve never had orange marmalade before — I don’t know why. My mother never had it around and so I’ve never made a point to try it… Hmm. I may need to change that!
Helen
Home made is always far nicer, but getting the Seville oranges is difficult and the season is short.
Kavey Favelle
I totally love the look of this, how could Paddington (or I) possibly resist?
Helen
I am sure if Paddington had had this recipe it would have replaced the sandwich.
Elaine @ Dishes Delish
This marmalade cake looks sinfully delicious! Hubby loves all things orange marmalade and I can’t wait to surprise him with this cake!!
Helen
I love marmalade, but not toast for breakfast, so this cake is perfect.
Tina Dawson | Love is in my Tummy
What a wonderfully refreshing cake, this is! It even has marmalade IN the batter and not just in the icing! LOVE it!
Helen
Full on marmalade!
Becca Talbot
The recipe for this one looks pretty straightforward and easy to follow – hopefully even a baking newbie like me could make this! x
Helen
So easy to make – just make sure you line and grease the baking pan well.
Kelly Watson
I make my own marmalade, which is a great joy. Would love to try making this cake with some, it looks marvelous.
Bryan B
What a splendid and very English cake. I always find loaf cakes a perfect afternoon partner for a cup of tea, while sitting in the conservatory watching The World go by. One of the joys of being retired now.
Lorna Hindmarsh
I love a tasty and easy cake recipe. Great to make in the afternoon to feed the hordes at teatime.
Donna G
Great simple and tasty recipe. So easy to make. I might horrify you, but I’d love to have it with lashings of custard.
Hannah
Sounds like a delicious cake, I love the tangy flavour of marmalade.
Paul Fowkes
I have to say this has become one of my all time favourite cakes after making for the first time the other week. Last time I added some candied orange peel and put on a plain chocolate topping and tonight I have added fresh orange peel and plain chocolate.
Beautifully light and moist
I can seem to set the star rating for some reason but trust me this is 6 star :)
Homestead Hubby
I am in the process of baking one with a few minor twists… wheat flour and coconut sugar…. I also used my own home churned butter… excited to see how well it turns out… I think it will be good…. the batter was excellent tasting even though I had to use baking soda and apple cider vinegar in place of the baking powder due to being out… but it’s okay not the worst substitution I’ve ever had to make… thanks for the recipe…
Helen
That sounds so delicious – I LOVE home churned butter – I always make a huge batch right after Christmas when all the excess cream is very reduced in the supermarket.
Kirsten Forrester
Very tasty nice crumb and lovely texture. I used lemon marmalade and the cake has a great flavour.
I made this using vegan margarine, almond milk and egg replacer. It’s a little oily so I think a bit less marg next time – maybe 10% less than the recommended amount of butter. I also mixed all the wet ingredients first, then added the dry (rather than adding the marmalade and milk last).
Helen
Hi Kirsten, so glad you enjoyed it. I think that butter is about 10% water, so reducing by 10% when using a vegan margarine sounds about right. I need to test a vegan version.
Beth
I was excited about trying this recipe until I saw the flour, butter and sugar was measured in grams. (sigh) moving on …
Helen
Hi Beth,
I’m British so we use scales here. It’s on my list to convert to cups at some stage.
H
Just made this, very easy to make and VERY tasty. Yum yum yum!!!
Helen
so glad you enjoyed it!
Sue E.
I made this cake using some home made lemon and lime marmalade. Very pleased with the result. Sweet but tangy and a good moist crumb. I looked at the comments, hoping to find remarks from people who had actually used the recipe, but the vast najority are from people who ‘like the look of it.’ Please tell us how it turned out when you made it!
Sangeeta Kewalramani
Last week I made this cake and it was perfect and absolutely delicious.
This morning I made the same again, but it caved in the centre and didn’t turn as orange gold as the last time.
What could have happened??
Helen
Hi Sangeeta, I’m sorry to hear that – the same has happened to me too – so I am repeatedly trouble shooting.
Alison
How much salt should l use? There is none listed in the ingredients!
Helen
Just a pinch, I’ll edit the recipe now.
Graham
Not made the marmalade cake yet. How much salt do you add? Not mentioned under ingredients!
Helen
a pinch.
Chris
I’ve made this twice now. The first time with some home made Seville orange and whisky marmelade, which was quite runny. The cake was absolutely perfect.
Second time with Frank Cooper oxford fine cut marmelade but otherwise exactly as before. The cake sank a bit in the middle and the marmelade sank to the bottom! Tasted good though.
Shirley Bell
What a superb cake, the recipe is so easy to follow and the cake tastes delicious, will definitely be trying some of the others! Thank you!
Dana Blachford
This recipe is divine. I made it for my son’s cookery class at school and it was crumbly, soft as a feather and full of flavour. Thank you for sharing.
Maria
Loved it, so easy to make and so soft. Friends coming for breakfast Friday, definitely on the menu.
SUSAN HIGH
Followed the recipe to the letter but the cake sank in the middle. Please can you tell me why?
Helen
Hi Susan, as this is quite a heavy cake it can sink. This is usually because the oven temperature is wrong, unless you have a very high end oven always check with a thermometer. You opened the oven door whilst it was cooking, or there was too much rising agent.
Helen Jennings
Hi I love this cake and so does all the family but I have one query, in the instructions you refer to adding salt with the dry ingredients, but salt is not on the ingredient list. I put in 1 teaspoon and turned out great, but just want to check if that was the right amount?
Helen
Hi Helen, it is a pinch of salt. Thanks for letting me know, and I’ve added it to the recipe card.
Adrian
Is it better to leave a day or two wrapped like a lemon drizzle?
Helen
You absolutely can! Although its so tempting not to wait.
Hannah Midgley
I LOVE this recipe, it’s becoming a huge favourite! Sweet, comforting, moist, syrupy and super easy to whizz up and chuck in the oven. Thanks for a great recipe!
Barbs
Tried this recipe and it’s great easy to make and is delicious nice and light and the sticky topping is yummy it’s now in my cook book to use again. I have passed it on to my granddaughter who is taken a liking to baking many thanks I look forward to trying more of your recipes
Misha
I love the marmalade I made in my Instant Pot following your recipe. Now I would like to make this cake also in the pot. Do you have any thoughts and tips that would help?
Thanks
Helen
I’ve never baked in my instant pot -but there are lots of recipes out there,
Julie
Fab flavourful cake easy to make & tastes yummy
Siti balqis idris
Honestly this recipe is the best ever!! Love it!! I would stick to it!! Thank you for this amazing easy to make recipe. Yummy!!!!!
Andrea
I made this for my hubby as he loves marmalade but I’d bought the thick cut by mistake and was looking for a way to use it up. This recipe is so quick and easy to make and was an absolute hit in my house and I don’t even like marmalade. Delicious.
EllyG
Just made this today. Light, fluffy and delicious. I added 2 teaspoons of Valencia orange essence as it was not strong enough flavour for me but I guess it varies according to the brand of Marmalade. It cooked perfectly with only had a slight crack in the top. We had ours as a dessert with some cream but it would be great with custard or just as it is. Thank you.
Heather Brong
Would this recipe work for muffins? Just reduce the cooking time?
Helen Best-Shaw
it would indeed.