Mary Berry’s Manor House Cake is a delightful traditional British cake that’s rich, buttery, and studded with dried fruits. With a beautiful golden crust and tender crumb, this cake has a timeless appeal, perfect for serving at tea time or for a special occasion. Known for its simplicity and charming flavor, Manor House Cake is a great bake for both beginners and experienced bakers.
What Is Mary Berry Manor House Cake?
Mary Berry’s Manor House Cake is a classic British fruit cake, made with a buttery batter and mixed with dried fruits like sultanas and currants. It has a firm yet soft crumb and is often topped with a light sprinkle of demerara sugar, which creates a lovely crunch on the crust. This cake is simple yet flavorful, making it a favorite for those who enjoy traditional bakes with a twist of fruitiness.
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Why You Should Try This Recipe
- Traditional British Delight – A classic recipe with nostalgic charm.
- Rich and Flavorful – A buttery cake filled with fruity sweetness.
- Simple Ingredients – Uses pantry staples for an easy, no-fuss bake.
- Great for Tea Time – Pairs wonderfully with tea or coffee.
- Easy to Store and Slice – Perfect for keeping on hand for guests.
Ingredients Needed to Make Mary Berry Manor House Cake
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious manor house cake:
- Self-Raising Flour (1 ¾ cups) – Provides a light texture and rises to the cake.
- Butter (¾ cup, softened) – Adds richness and moisture.
- Granulated Sugar (¾ cup) – Sweetens the cake and helps with browning.
- Eggs (3 large) – Adds structure and richness to the batter.
- Mixed Dried Fruit (1 ¼ cups) – Traditional sultanas, currants, or raisins add natural sweetness.
- Milk (2-3 tbsp) – Adds moisture for a soft crumb.
- Demerara Sugar (2 tbsp) – For sprinkling on top, add a lovely crunch.
- Vanilla Extract (1 tsp) – Enhances the flavor of the cake.
Instructions to Make Mary Berry Manor House Cake
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a loaf pan with parchment paper.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Gradually fold in the self-raising flour until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Add Milk and Dried Fruit: Stir in the milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, to reach a soft consistency. Fold in the mixed dried fruit, ensuring it’s evenly distributed in the batter.
- Transfer to the Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and level the top with a spatula. Sprinkle the demerara sugar evenly over the top.
- Bake the Cake: Bake for 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Check at 45 minutes and cover loosely with foil if the top is browning too quickly.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack. Once completely cool, slice and serve.
What Goes Well with Mary Berry Manor House Cake
- Tea or Coffee – Perfect for a classic British tea-time treat.
- Clotted Cream – Adds a rich, creamy texture when spread on slices.
- Honey or Jam – For added sweetness, especially with berry jams.
- Cheese – A mild cheddar or cream cheese pairs surprisingly well.
- Fruit Compote – Adds a fresh, fruity contrast to the cake.
- Whipped Cream – For an extra touch of indulgence.
Expert Tips for Making the Best Mary Berry Manor House Cake
- Use Softened Butter – Soft butter mixes more smoothly, creating a light and fluffy batter.
- Avoid Overmixing – Overmixing can make the cake dense; mix just until the ingredients are combined.
- Even Fruit Distribution – Toss dried fruits in a little flour to prevent them from sinking in the batter.
- Check for Doneness – Insert a toothpick in the center; if it comes out clean, the cake is ready.
- Cool Before Slicing – Allow the cake to cool fully to prevent crumbling when slicing.
- Store Properly – Keep in an airtight container for the best freshness and texture.
Easy Variations of Mary Berry Manor House Cake
- Add Chopped Nuts – Walnuts or almonds add texture and flavor.
- Orange or Lemon Zest – A bit of zest adds a refreshing hint of citrus.
- Mixed Spice – A pinch of mixed spice or cinnamon for a warm, spiced flavor.
- Chocolate Chips – A handful of chocolate chips brings extra sweetness.
- Ginger and Raisin – Add crystallized ginger pieces for a spicy-sweet twist.
- Apple and Cinnamon – Fold in diced apples and a pinch of cinnamon for a cozy version.
Best Practices to Store Mary Berry Manor House Cake
- Room Temperature Storage – Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Refrigerate for Extended Freshness – Refrigerate for up to 1 week, bringing to room temperature before serving.
- Freeze for Long-Term Storage – Wrap in plastic wrap, then in foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.
Best Practices to Reheat Mary Berry Manor House Cake
- Microwave – Heat individual slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.
- Serve at Room Temperature – For the best texture and flavor, serve at room temperature.
Nutrition Value (per serving)
- Calories: 280
- Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Protein: 4g
- Fiber: 2g
Final Words
Mary Berry’s Manor House Cake is a wonderful, nostalgic recipe that’s both easy and delightful to make. With its tender crumb and fruity sweetness, this cake is perfect for afternoon tea or for treating guests.
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- Mary Berry Lemon Drizzle Traybake
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- Delia Smith Rock Cakes
- Mary Berry Treacle Scones
Mary Berry Manor House Cake
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 60
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 8
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Description
Mary Berry’s Manor House Cake is a classic British fruit cake, made with a buttery batter and mixed with dried fruits like sultanas and currants. It has a firm yet soft crumb and is often topped with a light sprinkle of demerara sugar, which creates a lovely crunch on the crust. This cake is simple yet flavorful, making it a favorite for those who enjoy traditional bakes with a twist of fruitiness.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious manor house cake:
- Self-Raising Flour (1 ¾ cups) – Provides a light texture and rises to the cake.
- Butter (¾ cup, softened) – Adds richness and moisture.
- Granulated Sugar (¾ cup) – Sweetens the cake and helps with browning.
- Eggs (3 large) – Adds structure and richness to the batter.
- Mixed Dried Fruit (1 ¼ cups) – Traditional sultanas, currants, or raisins add natural sweetness.
- Milk (2-3 tbsp) – Adds moisture for a soft crumb.
- Demerara Sugar (2 tbsp) – For sprinkling on top, add a lovely crunch.
- Vanilla Extract (1 tsp) – Enhances the flavor of the cake.
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a loaf pan with parchment paper.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Gradually fold in the self-raising flour until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Add Milk and Dried Fruit: Stir in the milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, to reach a soft consistency. Fold in the mixed dried fruit, ensuring it’s evenly distributed in the batter.
- Transfer to the Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and level the top with a spatula. Sprinkle the demerara sugar evenly over the top.
- Bake the Cake: Bake for 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Check at 45 minutes and cover loosely with foil if the top is browning too quickly.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack. Once completely cool, slice and serve.
