Every cake tastes better in loaf cake form and these are the best recipes to try now
These classic cakes make serving so easy and come in so many different delicious versions.
Loaf cake recipes are great for new bakers looking for an easy bake idea as they are simple to master and, despite all being the same shape, there are so many different recipes.
If you're planning on trying a loaf cake recipe for a bake sale or a party, loaf cakes are also easy to slice and feed a crowd. And if cake decorating is not your speciality, loaf cakes are often undemanding - with glace icing or buttercream hiding even the most rustic efforts.
From a traditional lemon drizzle loaf to a recipe inspired by a Jaffa Cake, or if you want simplicity then we recommend this three-ingredient orange loaf cake - it just needs oranges, self-raising flour and a tin of condensed milk. It has a slightly firmer texture and leftover slices are wonderful grilled and served with butter.
We've also customised some of our traditional recipes into loaf cake form such as our gluten-free cherry bakewell loaf cake. which has a wonderful, crunchy streusel topping as well as glace cherries and flaked almonds.
If you are looking for something a little different when entertaining grown ups then we have a gin and tonic loaf cake, inspired by a G&T and using gin for an extra moist sponge. The glace topping also has gin and tonic in it too.
Our absolute favourite loaf cake recipe is this marmalade and white chocolate loaf. We've used yoghurt in the batter to ensure the finished load is extra moist.
Pecan and Maple Crunch Coffee Cake Recipe
Nutty pecans, sweet maple syrup and a crunchy granola topping all make for an irresistible combo to this all-in-one loaf cake recipe.
Lemon and Raspberry Drizzle Loaf Cake Recipe
Plump raspberries stud this luscious zesty loaf, which keeps well because of the ground almonds and syrup.
Turkish Delight Loaf Cake Recipe
A real treat for fans of this traditionally rose-infused sweet. With a rich chocolate sponge and a floral buttercream, the pomegranate molasses adds a Turkish-inspired tang that balances the sweetness, but you could use lemon juice instead.
Recipe: Turkish Delight
Carrot Cake Loaf Cake Recipe
A family favourite in loaf cake form. Swap the walnuts for pecans, if you prefer.
Recipe: Carrot Cake
Three-ingredient Orange Loaf Cake Recipe
This cake recipe only needs three ingredients and it's also egg-free.
Strawberry Streusel Loaf Cake Recipe
This strawberry streusel loaf cake is one of our favourites. Opt for in-season strawberries for the best flavour.
Recipe: Strawberry streusel loaf cake
Mimosa Loaf Cake Recipe
We've turned the popular mimosa cocktail into a loaf cake. This has a wonderful orange and Prosecco icing on top too.
Recipe: Mimosa loaf cake
Peanut Butter Loaf Recipe
You can't go wrong with this peanut butter loaf cake which also has an added jam drizzle for the ultimate pb&j flavour combo.
Recipe: Peanut butter loaf
Jaffa Cake Loaf Cake Recipe
If you love a Jaffa cake then you'll love our loaf cake version of this nostalgic treat.
Recipe: Jaffa cake loaf cake
Chocolate Orange Loaf Cake Recipe
The winning flavour combination in a classic loaf.
Recipe: Chocolate Orange Loaf Cake
Pimm's Loaf Cake Recipe
This is the ultimate loaf cake to make in the summer and combines our favourite drink - Pimm's! Top with all the fruit you'd find in a Pimm's for a delicious fruity finish.
Recipe: Pimm's loaf cake
Simnel Loaf Cake Recipe
This traditional Easter cake can be enjoyed all year round and this recipe has a hazelnut marzipan centre- yum!
Recipe: Simnel loaf cake
Toffee Pear and Chocolate Loaf Cake Recipe
If you didn't know that pear and chocolate paired (see what we did there), then you'll be pleasantly surprised by this delicious loaf cake.
Reese's Loaf Cake Recipe
If you're a fan of Reese's pieces then you'll love this loaf cake version which has actual pieces of Reese's in the batter and icing.
Recipe: Reese's loaf cake
Courgette and Pistachio Loaf Cake Recipe
Grated courgette adds wonderfully moisture to this nutty sponge loaf cake recipe.
Persian Tea Loaf Recipe
This fragrant bake contains rosewater, cardamon and pistachios for a Middle Eastern twist on a classic tea loaf.
Recipe: Persian Tea Loaf
Marbled Chai and Chocolate Loaf Cake Recipe
A temptingly spiced cake with a decadent cream cheese icing, though it’s also very lovely without it.
Lemon Drizzle Loaf Cake Recipe
This lemon drizzle loaf cake recipe is an absolute classic. This version is also gluten-free.
Recipe: Lemon drizzle loaf cake
Jam and Coconut Loaf Cake Recipe
A new take on the 'old skool' jam and coconut tray bake, this loaf makes a cheerful teatime treat.
Recipe: Jam and coconut loaf cake
Courgette Lemon Drizzle Cake Recipe
We've transformed the humble lemon drizzle, one of the nation's favourite bakes, into a gorgeous courgette-filled cake. Yep, courgette gives a bake lovely moisture - and you're sure to love this.
Recipe: Courgette lemon drizzle cake
An experienced and highly skilled team of food writers, stylists and digital content producers, the Good Housekeeping Cookery Team is a close-knit squad of food obsessives. Cookery Editor Emma Franklin is our resident chilli obsessive and barbecue expert, who spends an inordinate amount of time on holidays poking round the local supermarkets seeking out new and exciting foods. Senior Cookery Writer Alice Shields is a former pastry chef and baking fanatic who loves making bread and would have peanut butter with everything if she could. Her favourite carb is pasta, and our vibrant green spaghetti is her weeknight go-to. Lover of all things savoury, Senior Cookery Writer Grace Evans can be found eating crispy corn and nocellara olives at every opportunity, and will take the cheeseboard over dessert any time (though she cannot resist a slice of tres leches cake). With a wealth of professional kitchen know-how, culinary training and years of experience between them, they are all dedicated to ensuring every Good Housekeeping recipe is the best it can be, so you can trust they’ll work (and if they don’t – we’ll have the answer for why*) every time (*90% of the time the answer is: “buy an separate oven thermometer”!).
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