An easy Air fryer cherry madeira cake recipe, baked to perfection in your air fryer!
Having mastered air fryer banana bread, I wanted to give a more traditional cake an air fryer makeover. So, I decided to tweak my Madeira loaf cake recipe a bit. The result? This delicious air fryer cherry Madeira cake was born!
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Isn't it amazing when we can have our cake and eat it faster? That's one of the many perks of baking a cake in an air fryer. It's like a fast-forward button for baking!
Not only does it preheat quicker, but it also cooks your cake evenly. Say goodbye to the stress of overcooked edges or an undercooked centre!
And here's a little secret: air fryers have a special talent for making cakes that are perfectly moist. It's almost like they sprinkle a bit of magic dust during the cooking process, locking in all the lovely moisture.
The best part? You can avoid turning your kitchen into a mini sauna, especially in the hot summer months. Air fryers generate less heat than traditional ovens, so your kitchen stays nice and cool!
Love air fryer cake recipes? You might also like my air fryer flapjacks and air fryer brownies!
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What is Madeira Cake?
Madeira cake is known for its dense yet light texture, and its buttery, slightly sweet flavour. It's also signified by a dome and a crack on the top.
Madeira cake has been popular in the UK since the 19th century, and is often enjoyed as a tea-time treat or used as a base for other desserts such as sherry trifle. The cake is typically baked in a loaf tin, and it can be served plain or with a dusting of icing sugar.
✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!
- Air fryer cakes bake faster than in a conventional oven due to the quick preheating and concentrated heat of the air fryer. This means less time waiting and more time enjoying your cake!
- A traditional Madeira cake boasts a dense yet moist crumb. The moisture retaining capability of an air fryer can help achieve this desirable texture effortlessly.
- The consistent heat distribution of an air fryer ensures your cherry Madeira cake is evenly cooked, avoiding those notorious undercooked middles or overly browned tops.
🛒 Ingredient notes
Butter - unsalted and softened so it's easy to cream with the sugar.
Sugar - I use caster sugar - white or golden can be used.
Eggs - 3 large free-range eggs at room temperature.
Lemon - you'll need the zest of the whole lemon and the juice of half.
Vanilla Extract - use a good quality extract and not vanilla essence.
Flour - a combination of self-raising flour and plain flour gives the best-textured cake (a tip I learned from Nigella Lawson).
Cherries - glacé cherries should be washed, dried, and tossed in a little flour to prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the cake.
🔪 How to make a cake in an air fryer
The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post
Preheat your air fryer to 150°C (300°F) and grease and line a 2lb loaf tin with baking paper. Before you begin the recipe you must also make sure that your cake tin fits in your air fryer basket. A deep 20 cm baking tin might be better for your particular air fryer model.
One: Cream together the butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl with a wooden spoon until pale and fluffy.
Two: Beat in the eggs lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract.
Three: Fold in the flours and mix until you have a thick smooth batter.
Four: Pour half the batter into the prepared 2lb loaf tin.
Five: Mix the glace cherries into the remaining batter then spoon into the loaf tin. Level the top with a spatula and air fry for 50 minutes - 1 hour, or until a skewer comes out clean.
Six: Allow the cake to cool for 15 minutes before running a knife around the edge of the tin and removing it to a wire rack.
Top Tips
- Wash and dry the glace cherries and toss them in a little flour to prevent the cherries from sinking to the bottom of the cake.
- If your batter feels a touch too dry, like it's lacking the usual smoothness of cake batter, don't hesitate to add a splash of milk.
- Stressed about a crack in your cake? Don't be! That's the beauty of a traditional Madeira cake. That crack on top is a signature, a thumbs-up from the cake itself saying you've nailed the recipe!
- Remember to use the right size loaf tin (2lb/900g) to prevent any messy overflows of batter, or a similar capacity tin that will fit in your air fryer.
- If the cake is browning too quickly on top, cover with a layer of foil and continue air frying until baked.
- To ensure a swift and easy cake extraction post-baking, line the tin with baking paper or non-stick parchment, and give the sides a good buttering. Or, to save some time, go for loaf tin liners!
🍴 Serving suggestions
Serve a slice of cherry Madeira cake with a cup of tea. The light, lemony flavour of the cake perfectly complements a strong brew, making it an ideal afternoon treat.
You could also serve some fresh seasonal berries on the side and a dollop of whipped cream for a quick and easy dessert.
📖 Variations
- Give your air fryer cake a chocolaty twist by substituting 25g of the plain flour with cocoa powder.
- Add ground almonds to your batter for extra moist texture.
- Glaze the top of your cake with a lemon sugar syrup and garnish with candied lemon slices for a citrusy zing.
- Fancy an orangey touch? Replace the lemon zest with orange zest and the lemon juice with orange juice. Alternatively, you could simply use lemon extract.
🥡 Storage
Store - in an airtight container at room temperature to keep it moist. It should stay fresh for up to a week. Avoid refrigerating it, as this can dry out the cake.
Freeze - wrap it tightly in cling film or foil and put it in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. Freeze for up to 3 months.
❓ Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can use normal cake tins in an air fryer, but ensure they fit inside the air fryer basket comfortably, without touching the sides.
All of my air fryer baking recipes are made in a Ninja Foodi air fryer.
Yes, you can bake virtually any type of cake in an air fryer. The key is to adjust the cooking time and temperature according to the specific recipe.
Preheating your air fryer before baking can lead to more consistent results.
😋 More air fryer recipes
- Air Fryer Scones
- Air Fryer Blueberry Muffins
- Air Fryer Rock Cakes
- Air Fryer Creme Egg Croissants
- Air Fryer Crumpets
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Recipe
Air Fryer Cherry Madeira Cake
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Equipment
- Wooden Spoon
Ingredients
- 180 g Butter softened
- 180 Caster Sugar
- 3 Eggs (large)
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1 Lemon zest of whole lemon and juice of half
- 200 g Self Raising Flour
- 50 g Plain Flour
- 170 g Glace Cherries washed, dried and tossed in a teaspoon of plain flour to coat them.
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 150C (300F) and grease and line a 2lb loaf tin with baking paper. Before you begin the recipe you must make sure your tin fits in your air fryer basket. A deep 20 cm round baking tin might be better for your particular air fryer model.
- Cream together the butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl with a wooden spoon until pale and fluffy.180 g Butter, 180 Caster Sugar
- Beat in the eggs lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract.3 Eggs (large), 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract, 1 Lemon
- Fold in the flours and mix until you have a thick smooth batter.200 g Self Raising Flour, 50 g Plain Flour
- Pour half the batter into the prepared 2lb loaf tin.
- Mix the glace cherries into the remaining batter then spoon the mixture into the loaf tin. Level the top with a spatula and air fry for 50 minutes - 1 hour, or until a skewer comes out clean. Check the cake after 45 minutes and if the top is browning too much, cover with a layer of foil.170 g Glace Cherries
- Allow the cake to cool for 15 minutes before running a knife around the edge of the tin and removing it to a wire rack.
Notes
- Wash and dry the glace cherries and toss them in a little flour to prevent the cherries from sinking to the bottom of the cake.
- If your batter feels a touch too dry, like it's lacking the usual smoothness of cake batter, don't hesitate to add a splash of milk.
- Stressed about a crack in your cake? Don't be! That's the beauty of a traditional Madeira cake. That crack on top is a signature, a thumbs-up from the cake itself saying you've nailed the recipe!
- Remember to use the right size loaf tin (2lb/900g) to prevent any messy overflows of batter, or a similar capacity tin that will fit in your air fryer.
- Give your cake a chocolaty twist by substituting 25g of the plain flour with cocoa powder.
- Add ground almonds (almond meal) to your batter for an extra crunch.
- Glaze the top of your cake with a lemon sugar syrup and garnish with candied lemon slices for a citrusy zing.
- Fancy an orangey touch? Replace the lemon zest with orange zest and the lemon juice with orange juice. Alternatively, you could simply use lemon extract.
Kelley says
I love the idea of making cake in the air fryer so creative! Can't wait to try this!
Tavo says
Wow, your Air Fryer Cherry Madeira Cake recipe is an absolute delight! The cake is so fluffy and light, with a subtle note of sweetness from the cherries that perfectly complements the Madeira. Keep on delivering these creative and delicious recipes; they are truly a treat to both the palate and the eyes.
Suja md says
Delicious yet simple recipe that the whole family loved. Can’t wait to make it again!
Kathleen says
This cherry madeira cake looks and sounds delightful. I love the hint of lemon flavor with the cherries. It's a perfect teatime treat.
Helen Wood says
Made the air fryer cherry cake today turned out well made it in a deep 7inch square pan as couldn't get 2lb loaf tin in my air fryer absolutely delicious.
TAYLER ROSS says
I'm always looking for new recipes to try in the air fryer, and this cake looks incredible! Can't wait to make it with the kids this week!
Sarah Caldwell says
Hi Beth, would love to make this cake, however my air fryer is a Ninja AF400 (dual drawer). 2lb loaf tin does not fit have you ever made in 1lb size. Thank you
Beth Sachs says
Hi. Just half the ingredients and reduce cooking time by a few minutes. Should work fine.