Bake like Mrs. Patmore, eat like the Crawleys with this delightful 'Downton Abbey' cake
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Madeira Cake just like the upstairs folks at Downton Abbey might enjoy with tea. Stacy Zarin Goldberg for The Washington Post
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Madeira Cake, similar to a pound cake, a little lighter perhaps, was once paired with Madeira, a fortified Portuguese wine. Stacy Zarin Goldberg for The Washington Post
This is the cake you're likely to spot on a side table at the Crawley family's afternoon tea on "Downton Abbey." Madeira cake, named after the fortified Portuguese wine with which it was often paired, was a favorite throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. We can see why: It has a delicate citrus flavor and a tender crumb that holds together well enough to not mar a beautiful dress. It may remind you of a lightened-up poundcake.
Dusting the pan with sugar instead of flour gives a slightly crunchy exterior. Feel free to swap in orange or lime zest for the lemon.
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