Sarah Cook’s scrummy cake is really easy and versatile – use whatever fruit you like, and you’ll make it again and again
Prep:15 mins
Cuts into 8
2 large eggs2 tsp vanilla extract175g fruit, stoned and diced weight140g granulated sugar1-2 tbsp citrus juice – lemon, lime or orange175g very soft butter, plus extra for greasing175g golden caster sugar250g self-raising flour
STEP 1Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Grease a 900g/2lb loaf tin and line the base and ends with a long strip of baking parchment. Put the butter, caster sugar, flour, eggs and vanilla extract into a large bowl and beat with an electric hand mixer for 5 mins until pale and creamy – the mixture will be very thick.STEP 2Spread one-third of the cake mix into the tin, then scatter over 50g of the fruit. Carefully dot and spread another third of the cake mix on top, and scatter with another 50g fruit. Finally dot the rest of the cake mix over and gently spread with the back of a spoon. Bake for 1 hr, until an inserted skewer comes out clean.STEP 3Poke the cake all over with a skewer. Put remaining 75g fruit into a bowl with the granulated sugar. Stir in 1 tbsp of the citrus juice first with a fork, mashing a little of the fruit as you go. If it’s a bit dry, add a splash more juice and spoon over the cake. Leave in the tin until the cake is cool and the topping is set and crisp.
