Old-Fashioned Sultana Cake 🍇🍰
A true British classic, this sultana cake is buttery, moist, and filled with plump sultanas that burst with sweetness in every bite. Perfect for an afternoon tea or a light dessert, it’s simple yet utterly delightful.
Ingredients
🥚 Eggs: 3, large
🧈 Unsalted butter: 175g, softened
🍬 Caster sugar: 175g
🌾 Self-raising flour: 225g, sifted
🥄 Vanilla extract: 1 tsp
🍋 Lemon zest: 1, finely grated
🥛 Milk: 2 tbsp
🍇 Sultanas: 250g
💧 Water: 100ml (for plumping the sultanas)
Method
🍳 Preheat the oven: Heat your oven to 160°C (fan 140°C) and line a 20cm square or round cake tin with baking parchment.
💧 Plump the sultanas: In a small saucepan, bring the water to a simmer, then add the sultanas. Let them plump up for 5 minutes. Drain and set aside to cool.
🥣 Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat the butter and caster sugar together until light and fluffy.
🥚 Add eggs: Gradually beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring they are well mixed. If the batter curdles, add a tablespoon of the flour to bring it together.
🌾 Combine the batter: Gently fold in the self-raising flour, lemon zest, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth. Then fold in the cooled sultanas.
🍰 Assemble and bake: Spoon the batter into the prepared tin and smooth the top. Bake for 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
🛋️ Cool: Leave the cake to cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Serving Information
⏱ Prep Time: 20 minutes
⏱ Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
🍴 Servings: 12 slices
🔥 Calories: ~250 per slice
Serve this Old-Fashioned Sultana Cake with a cup of tea for a comforting taste of nostalgia. A timeless British treat!