A soft lime marmalade loaf cake made using an all-in-one method for ease, finished with a light marmalade glaze for a bright citrus bake.

This lime marmalade loaf cake is inspired by a traditional marmalade cake, adapted using lime marmalade for a brighter citrus flavour. It keeps the familiar structure of a classic loaf bake but shifts the flavour profile towards something a little fresher and more citrus-led, without becoming overly sharp or complicated.
It’s made using a simple all-in-one method, which keeps preparation quick and straightforward. This still results in a soft, even loaf with a light, tender crumb. Everything is combined in one bowl, making it an easy bake to bring together, whether for a quiet weekend bake or something to share.
As it bakes, the lime marmalade gently melts into the sponge, creating small pockets of citrus that run through the cake as it rises. The heat softens the marmalade, so it becomes part of the crumb itself, rather than sitting only on the surface, which helps keep the flavour present without being overpowering.
Once cooled, the loaf settles into a moist, tender texture with a subtle citrus edge that lingers without dominating. It’s the kind of bake that works just as well sliced simply with a cup of tea as it does served slightly warmed as an easy dessert.
Star Ingredient
The key ingredient in this cake is lime marmalade from The Tea Lady, which brings a bright citrus flavour with a gentle bitterness that works well in a simple loaf. This version I used actually has some additional limoncello in it too.
It’s used twice within this recipe. Firstly, it is mixed into the batter and then loosened slightly to create the glaze that finishes the cake. This means the flavour runs right through the loaf rather than sitting only on top, keeping each slice consistent.
The marmalade also adds texture from the pieces of peel and helps form a light glaze that sets softly once the cake has cooled.

How to Purchase Ingredients to be Conscious to the Planet
This is a basic cake recipe at heart with the addition of marmalade. Therefore, shopping for ingredients is fairly easy.
This is a cake recipe that requires milk or a milk alternative in it. I utilise my milkman delivery a lot of the time. I get oat milk deliveries to my door in glass bottles. These are collected up and cleaned to go back into circular reducing waste. Another alternative I use to create oat milk is oat m*lk powder. This is handy to have on hand, as you just add water to it and shake to create the milk as and when you need it. Therefore, minimising waste as you only make up what you require. You can pick this up from refill shops. If you are shopping at refill shops, some have milk machines where you can potentially get oat milk as a refill itself if you have a bottle. I have yet tried to make my own oat or almond milk, but this is option as well.
Lime marmalade will normally always come in glass jars, wherever you pick it up from up. Therefore, this could be a good opportunity to support local producers. I am fortunate that I have a really good food hall and deli close to me that champions local producers. This makes it really easy to discover local producers to support. Alternatively, checking out farmers’ markets, and food festivals are other ways learn about local businesses. You could even get the chance to try them at events like these.
Ingredients you can buy Plastic Free
- Caster Sugar
- Egg
- Self Raising Flour
- Baking Powder
- Lime Marmalade
- Lime
- Milk / Milk Alternative
Ingredients you can Make
- Butter – homemade recipe here
- Lime Marmalade

Equipment You Will Need
- Freestanding Mixer or Bowl with Handheld Mixer
- Measuring Spoons
- Spatula
- 2lb Loaf Tin
- Reusable Loaf Tin Liner or Baking Parchment Paper
- Microwavable Bowl
- Pastry Brush
- Cooling Rack
Tips and Tricks when Baking Lime Marmalade Loaf Cake
Lining your Loaf Tin
There are 2 options that a generally the easiest. Use a reusable loaf liner. These are like a silicone baking mat but are shaped to fit into a loaf tin. You can then wash them up and dry once finished.
Alternatively, it is using baking parchment paper. For this technique, I would recommend greasing the tin and then laying a piece of parchment paper, so it coves the long sides and base. Ensure you have some hanging over the edge. This makes it easier to lift the cake out of the tin without having to worrying and making the parchment paper work without worrying about the corners.
All in One Method
The method for this cake is an all-in-one method. This makes it quicker to pull together. As a result, I suggest having your mixer / handheld mixer on a low speed initial to start things off before increasing the speed. This is well not having ingredients fly out of the bowl.

Lime Marmalade Loaf Cake
Equipment
- Freestanding Mixer or Bowl with Handheld mixer
- Measuring Spoons
- Spatula
- 2lb Loaf Tin
- Reusable Loaf Tin Liner or Baking Parchment Paper
- Microwavable Bowl
- Pastry Brush
- Cooling rack
Ingredients
Loaf Cake
- 175 g Butter
- 175 g Caster Sugar
- 3 Large Eggs
- 225 g Self Raising Flour
- 1 Teaspoon Baking Powder
- 4 Tablespoons Lime Marmalade
- 2 Tablespoons Milk / Oat Milk
- Zest of 1 Lime
Glaze
- 1 Tablespoon Lime Marmalade
- 1-2 Tablespoon Lime Juice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 170 degrees.
- Line a 2lb loaf tin with a reusable loaf liner or baking parchment paper.
- Add all the cake ingredients into a bowl.
- Beat the ingredients together to form a smooth batter.
- Pour into the lined loaf tin and level out.
- Bake in the middle of the oven for 45-50 minutes until a skewer comes out clean.
- Cool in the tin for 10 minutes and then transfer to the cooling rack.
- Warm the marmalade and lime juice in the microwave for 10-20 seconds.
- Use a pastry brush to brush the glaze all over the top of the warm cake.
- Allow the cake to cool completely before cutting.
- Store in a cake tin or airtight container.
Other Loaf Cake Recipes that you may be Interested in
This recipe is based on Mary Berry’s classic marmalade cake, using it as a starting point and adapting it with lime marmalade to suit the flavour used here. The method and structure remain familiar, but the swap brings a brighter citrus note and a slightly different balance to the finished loaf while keeping the simplicity of the original bake.
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