Loaf cakes are some of my very favourite cakes to make. They’re versatile, easy and carry flavour really well.
You can also easily make them sweet or savoury, and they’re perfectly portable so you can take them on picnics or gift them to friends and family without hassle.
These loaf cake recipes are tried, tested and loved by my family. I make them weekly and we always look forward to loaf cake day!
Hints and Tips for Perfect Loaf Cakes
Getting your loaf cakes just right every time isn’t difficult once you know these essential tips:
- Firstly, resist the urge to over-mix your cake batter – this is one of the most common mistakes in cake baking. Mix until the ingredients are just combined, and you’ll be rewarded with a beautifully tender cake rather than a tough, dense one.
- Next, knowing when your cake is properly baked is crucial. Simply insert a skewer (or a thin knife if you don’t have one) right into the middle of your loaf cake. When you pull it out, it should come out clean without any raw batter clinging to it. If you spot any wet mixture, pop it back in the oven for a few more minutes.
- One of my favourite tips for hassle-free baking is to use a loaf tin liner. These paper liners are absolute game-changers – they prevent any sticking and make getting your cake out of the tin a breeze. Plus, they help your tin last longer as there’s less chance of scratching it when removing your cake.
Types of Loaf Cakes in This Collection
I’ve got quite a variety of loaf cakes for you to try, from fruit-packed teatime treats to savoury surprises. If you’re a fruit cake fan, you’ll love my summer fruit loaf cake made with frozen berries (perfect for when fresh fruit isn’t in season), my classic sultana loaf that’s brilliant with a cuppa, and my seasonal blackberry loaf cake that makes the most of fresh autumn fruit.
For something truly special, don’t miss my Bara brith recipe – this traditional Welsh tea loaf is packed with dried fruit that’s been soaked in tea overnight, giving it a wonderfully rich flavour and moist texture.
Fancy something a bit different? My halloumi and olive loaf cake is a savoury twist on the classic loaf cake format. It’s perfect for picnics, lunch boxes, or serving alongside a bowl of soup. The salty halloumi and olives create a Mediterranean-inspired flavour that might just become your new favourite.
The Loaf Cake Collection
Browse through the recipes below, and please do feel free to get in touch if there’s a flavour of loaf cake that you would like me to share a recipe for!
