Best ever cakes that make the most of fruit
Try one of our 12 best ever fruit cake recipes. They're delicious and simple, and you can choose your bake according to what fruit is in season. Plus we've given you cake tips to achieving the best results, every time
We've compiled our best ever cakes that make the most of fruit. These simple bakes from banana loaf with passion fruit frosting to Amalfi lemon cake and strawberry and pistachio cake are the perfect teatime treat to impress your friends and family. We've also given you our best tips and tricks to baking the perfect cake, every time
How to bake a cake
Do I need to line my cake tins? If a cake recipe tells you to butter and flour a tin then do so. The batter might not rise as well if you don’t (it needs the butter to help it slide upwards). If it tells you not to, don’t! Some cake mixes need a rough surface to help them climb up.
How do I make my cake rise higher? To help your sponge rise sift the flour a couple of times so that it's nicely aerated when you add it. Sifting the baking powder along with the flour will make sure that it's well mixed before beating.
Does the cake tin size matter? You can’t change the tin sizes willy-nilly when baking a cake, so if you do use smaller or larger tins, adjust the cooking time (more for smaller tins, as the cake will be thicker, and less for larger ones).
Does it matter where in the oven I put my cake? If your oven has a hot spot and your cakes always come up risen more on one side, rotate them half way through the cooking time.
How do I prepare citrus fruits for baking? Place the fruit in the microwave for a couple of seconds for optimal juice extraction. Roll citrus fruit before juicing them. Press down firmly on a lemon or a lime and roll it along the work surface. This breaks some of the pulp cells and juice vesicles so the juice runs out more easily. Useful if you're juicing by hand, or want to provide wedges that squeeze easily.
Which sugar should I use? Brown sugar, honey and golden syrup are all hygroscopic (absorb water easily) - this is good for dense cakes such as gingerbread (they will stay fresh longer), but trickier in crisp biscuits and meringues, which will go soft very quickly.
How to cool, dry and store cakes
Do I need to cool my cakes? Cool your cakes in the tin when they are very hot. Once they can be handled, take them out. Otherwise they will steam and end up soggy.
How long do I let my cake cool before icing? Before icing cakes or any baked produce, remember to leave them to cool completely; they need to be cold. Being at an ideal temperatures means that the icing will stay exactly where it needs to be and will not run off the cake.
How do I cut a cake? Use dental floss to cut a cake in half; it works like a cheese wire. But not the mint flavour, of course!
Caramel orange and poppy seed cake
A light and zingy family pud with caramelised orange for a special finishing touch. Perfect for feeding a crowd or a hungry family over the weekend.
Cardamom and raspberry Swedish buns
Delicious filled buns inspired by classic Scandinavian baking. Made with a brioche-style dough and filled with raspberries, the family will love them.
Passion fruit tart with meringue
This passion fruit tart with meringue is a real show-stopping dessert - perfect for a dinner party. We use Billington’s golden caster sugar because we like the flavour, but it will make the meringue slightly less white.
Banana loaf with passion fruit frosting
Our take on the ever-popular banana loaf. Made with pecans and a tropical passion fruit frosting, this is a teatime treat to share with family and friends.
Grapefruit and poppy seed angel cake with white chocolate frosting
This grapefruit and poppy seed angel cake with white chocolate frosting is a great twist on a classic and looks stunning. You’ll need an angel cake tin for this as the cake won’t rise properly in a conventional tin. You can buy these from good cookshops or online at amazon.co.uk.
Strawberry and pistachio cake
A lovely summer pistachio cake with strawberry icing that’s worth the extra effort. When strawberries smell good, they should be at optimum ripeness and have flavour – perfect for this cake.
Peach, pistachio and ricotta friands
Friands, mini French-style muffins made with ground almonds are so easy to make. Follow this simple recipe and treat your friends and family to these pretty, ricotta and fruit-filled delights.
Pear and chocolate puddings
The best chocolate puddings are the ones that you don't have to share. We love these individual little pots of chocolate sponge and pear. Just add cream to serve and let your family and friends dive in.
Upside-down apple and star anise cake
Turning a cake into something even more special is easy when you make it upside down. Sticky apple slices and a hint of star anise in this recipe will make an easy dinner-party dessert or the best family pud.
Fluffy coconut and lime cake
This indulgent coconut and lime cake hits all the afternoon tea spots. Topped with vanilla frosting and coconut flakes this is the perfect weekend baking project.
Cherry bakewell tart
Our cherry bakewell tart is an exceedingly good tart – serve with a cup of builder’s tea for a proper English teatime treat.
Amalfi lemon drizzle cake
Lemon drizzle cake is a classic and it's a favourite for a reason. Amalfi lemons from Italy have an intense aroma and flavour that makes this cake even better, but you can use regular ones too. Dress it up even further with some tart candied peel.
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