Rice Flour Madeira Cake

What is Madeira Cake?

The Madeira Cake is a classic British cake, bearing similarities to the pound cake or a classic vanilla sponge cake. However, it is discernable for its tight crumb and signature crack in the surface of the cake.

Madeira Cake has a firmer texture than a Victoria Sponge Cake, due to its higher proportion of flour to fat, so holds up well to slicing.

This beautifully buttery cake is made with a little almond flour, alongside the rice flour to help with the texture and a little bit of flavour. A touch of lemon and a dash of vanilla all contribute to the Madeira Cake’s recognisable flavour.

Why is it called Madeira Cake?

In the 1800s when the cake first became popular it was traditionally enjoyed with a rich glass of Madeira wine. Confusingly it does not hail from Madeira – it’s a British cake through and through - nor does it have any Madeira wine in the recipe.

Which Gluten-Free Flour For Madeira Cake?

We're not using any old bag of gluten-free flour here. Instead of relying on a specific brand which not everyone may have access to, we are going to use two alternative gluten-free flours which are very easy to get hold of wherever you live. Plus they give the best result - not dry, grainy or sandy texture here. Just moist soft tender cake which will be undetectably gluten-free. Oh, and no xanthan gum needed.

1. White rice flour makes the most delicate tasting light and fluffy gluten-free cake. Brown rice flour is not the right choice for this particular cake. White rice flour is neutral in taste, economical and easy to purchase. Also not to be confused with sweet rice flour – this is not the right flour here.

You can substitute the rice flour for an all-purpose gluten-free flour like Doves Farm Gluten-Free Plain White Flour.

2. Ground almonds (also known as almond flour). To help with the structure of the cake we use ground almonds. This ingredient is present in a regular Madeira Cake recipe but here we up the quantity to assist the rice flour cake, which can be a little dry and crumbly by itself.

Ground almonds are essential here in achieving a lovely moist gluten-free cake. Try not to use almond meal though as the texture would be too nubbly.

The different kinds of almond flours can get confusing. To differentiate Almond Flour vs. Ground Almonds which will sort it all out for you so you buy the right ingredient for the right recipe.

You can swap out the ground almonds for sunflower seed flour if you are nut-free. It doesn’t have quite the same neutral taste but has exactly the same texture and a delicious unique flavour.

Other Ingredients Needed

• Unsalted butter. Make sure it is at room temperature for easy creaming with the sugar.
• Caster sugar. This is a fine baking sugar common in the UK. Any white sugar can be substituted.
• Eggs. Use free-range, medium sized.
• Lemon zest. Use an unwaxed lemon for a clean flavour. You can substitute the lemon zest for ½ teaspoon lemon powder.
• Vanilla extract. Use the best extract you can find. I like Nielsen Massey
• Milk. Just a splash to hydrate the cake mixture.
• Baking powder. Gives our cake lift.
• Salt. For balance of flavour.

How to Make Gluten-Free Madeira Cake

• Cream. Beat the butter and sugar with the lemon zest until light and creamy.
• Mix. Add in the eggs followed by the vanilla.
• Sift. Mix the flour, almonds, baking powder and salt by sifting together. Then add to the rest of the cake mixture and beat until well combined.
• Bake. 50 minutes in the oven.
• Sprinkle. Whilst the cake is still warm sprinkle over a little caster sugar for added crunch.

More Simple Gluten-Free Cakes You’ll Love!

Gluten-Free Victoria Sponge is the quintessential British cake, resplendent in any village tea room worth their salt. Fluffy vanilla sponge, generously filled with raspberry jam and a light buttercream.

Gluten-Free Fruit Cake is packed with juicy sultanas, raisins, glacé cherries and mixed peel. This is a farmhouse style family fruit cake which has a light sponge packed with plump and juicy dried fruit that is humble enough for a simple tea time or can be easily decorated to suit a more special gathering.

These Easy Gluten-Free Brownies are the ultimate chocolate indulgence. With their rich, fudgy texture and irresistible flavour from cocoa powder and molten chocolate these easy brownies are a crowd pleaser for any occasion.