MADEIRA CAKE

This has been a longstanding favourite in our household and can be made quickly and easily in a food processor.


200g/8oz Plain Flour
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
125g/5 oz Butter
125g/5oz Caster Sugar
1 teaspoon Vanilla Essence
3 Tablespoons Milk
2 beaten Eggs

Cream together the butter and sugar in a mixer or processor till light and fluffy.  Gradually add the beaten egg and a spoonful of the flour (to prevent curdling). Continue to add the flour and baking powder along with the vanilla essence. Add the milk a spoonful at a time until you have a dropping consistency.
Place the mixture in a greased and lined 15cm/6" cake tin and bake at 160-180C (depends on your oven) for 50 minutes to 1 hour.  Cover lightly with foil if it is browning too much.
Cool on a wire rack.  Keep in a tin for one day before cutting.

If preferred, you can add grated lemon rind instead of the vanilla essence.