First Term: Lesson 5 - Loaf Cakes

Lesson 4: Loaf Cakes 

In this lesson, Delia turns her attention to a wonderfully simple and satisfying style of baking: Loaf Cakes. These are the kind of cakes that are easy to make, full of flavour, and far more affordable than anything you’d buy at a station café or coffee shop—and with Delia’s step-by-step video guidance, you can watch exactly how each one is made, from start to finish.

Delia starts by introducing the essential loaf tin—highlighting her own specially designed Delia Online Loaf Tin, which fits all her loaf cake recipes perfectly. She also shows you how to use a pleated parchment liner that not only helps with clean-up but also allows you to store the cake right in the tin after baking.

The first recipe is the beautifully moist and fruity Very Fruity Irish Tea Cake—a cake so packed with fruit that Delia says it’s “more fruit than cake.” The secret is soaking the dried fruit in hot tea and demerara sugar overnight, creating plump, juicy bites in every slice. The next day, the mixture comes together with flour, eggs, toasted pecans, and a splash of milk, then it’s baked low and slow for perfect texture. It’s delicious served as is—or lightly toasted with butter for breakfast.

Next up is the humble but flavour-packed Marmalade Cake. While it may not win awards for looks, its flavour is irresistible. Made using the rubbed-in method (as shown in Lesson 3), the cake includes zesty orange peel, warming spices, dried fruit, and a spoonful of Seville orange marmalade for a punchy citrus kick. It’s also egg-free, making it a great option for anyone with dietary restrictions. A sprinkle of demerara sugar gives it a crunchy topping, and Delia shares a clever tip for covering the cake with foil partway through to prevent over-browning.

To finish the lesson, a true classic - Banana and Walnut Loaf. With its unique sandy-texture and rich banana flavour, this cake has been a hit for years. As Delia jokes, if she had a pound for every person who said they love this cake, she could probably buy a striker!

These loaf cake recipes are perfect for everyday baking—easy to make, great for sharing, and they keep beautifully.