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Mary Berry Manor House Cake Recipe

Mary Berry Manor House Cake recipe
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Mary Berry Manor House Cake is a traditional British loaf cake made with butter, sugar, eggs, flour, and milk, often enriched with ground almonds or dried fruit. It bakes into a soft, moist sponge with a golden crust and a delicate, buttery flavour reminiscent of classic tearoom cakes.

Ingredients

  • 175g unsalted butter, softened

  • 175g caster sugar

  • 3 large eggs

  • 175g self-raising flour

  • 50g ground almonds (optional but recommended)

  • 2 tablespoons milk

  • 1 teaspoon baking powder

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • Optional: 75g raisins or sultanas

  • Optional: Flaked almonds for topping

Instructions

Step 1 — Prepare the loaf tin

Line a 2lb loaf tin with baking parchment. Grease the sides lightly for easy removal.

Step 2 — Cream butter and sugar

Beat the softened butter and caster sugar together until pale and fluffy. This step helps create a light sponge texture.

Step 3 — Add the eggs

Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully combined before adding the next. If the mixture curdles slightly, add a spoon of flour.

Step 4 — Fold in the dry ingredients

Add the self-raising flour, baking powder, and ground almonds. Fold gently with a spatula to avoid losing air.

Step 5 — Add milk and flavouring

Stir in the milk and vanilla extract. The batter should drop easily from the spoon. Add raisins or sultanas if using.

Step 6 — Fill the tin

Spoon the mixture into the prepared loaf tin. Level the top and sprinkle flaked almonds if desired.

Step 7 — Bake until golden

Bake at 160°C (140°C fan) for 1 hour – 1 hour 10 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.

Step 8 — Cool and serve

Allow the cake to cool in the tin for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack. Slice once completely cooled.

Find it online: https://maryberrycooks.co.uk/mary-berry-manor-house-cake/