33 loaf cake recipes
Loaf cakes are easy to make and even easier to eat – the ideal tea time treat for any baker. Try one of our inspiring ideas, from plum and earl grey to Amalfi lemon and even a vegan banana bread
Looking for easy loaf cake recipes? Try our expert ideas with flavours including lemon, coffee and chocolate loaf cake (sometimes known as pound cakes). We also have more unusual and showstopping ideas such as strawberry dream and courgette loaf cake with avocado and lime drizzle. Looking for a new loaf tin? Read our best loaf tins review. Next, try our easy cake recipes and favourite vanilla recipes.
Easy loaf cake recipes
Vegan lemon loaf cake
A delicate, zingy vegan lemon cake made without eggs, milk or butter! The key to that lemony tang is a decent lemon extract (we use Nielsen-Massey).
Blood orange loaf cake
Edd Kimber's show-off bake combines the ruby-red brilliance of blood oranges with crunchy poppy seeds and grated marzipan.
Chocolate loaf cake
Chocolate lovers, this one’s for you: a dark chocolate loaf is infused with espresso and topped with a creamy ganache and a sprinkle of chilli flakes for a subtly spicy hit.
Vanilla and raspberry mascarpone loaf cake
This is a beautifully moist cake with pops of berries throughout – excellent on its own or with a cup of earl grey tea.
More like this
Carrot cake loaf
Make this carrot cake loaf extra-special with brown butter soft cheese frosting, if you like, or simply leave it off if you’re short on time.
Madeira cake
Make this madeira cake for your next teatime treat. Add any nuts you have in the cupboard – roughly chop them first, then stir in.
Chocolate babka
Part bread, part cake, this marbled Jewish chocolate babka with a syrupy topping is great served warm out of the oven.
Chocolate chip banana bread
Everyone’s favourite loaf recipe gets a chocolaty update, with an indulgent chocolate sauce and caramelised bananas taking it to the next level.
Banana and walnut loaf
Check out this sweet banana loaf with roasted walnuts for easy weekend baking. Best served with an afternoon tea or coffee.
For more baking ideas and recipe inspiration, try our banana recipes and banana bread recipes.
Vietnamese coffee loaf cake
A rich, creamy loaf cake inspired by classic Vietnamese iced coffee, with a Russian buttercream topping. Bake Edd Kimber's showstopping creation with our step-by-step guide.
Courgette and lime cake
This zesty creation refreshes the classic courgette loaf cake recipe, topped with lime zest and pistachio nibs.
Maltesers marble cake
Wow the family with Edd Kimber's showstopping marble bake topped with malt milk chocolate glaze and Maltesers.
Easy pound cake
The oldies are the goodies. You can count on this classic vanilla pound cake recipe, perfect for slicing thickly and enjoying with a mug of tea.
Orange and Aperol drizzle cake
Your favourite cocktail as a loaf cake – perfect for a grown-up afternoon tea.
Spiced pineapple and banana cake
With its tropical notes and subtle harissa heat, this loaf cake serves up a big slice of holiday flavour, topped with creamy icing. Don’t be scared of the harissa – the flavour mellows in the cooking. Check out our best harrissa recipes here.
Orange drizzle cake
This moist cake is more subtle than a lemon drizzle and is even better a day after baking, so it’s perfect if you’re thinking ahead for future guests or events.
Pistachio and lime cake
Crunchy pistachios are whizzed until fine and limes are zested into this easy yet impressive loaf recipe. Citrussy limes are juiced into this simple icing for extra fresh flavour.
Date and ginger loaf cake
Check out our easy tea loaf with juicy dates and fiery ginger. This moreish cake recipe is easy to make and packed with plenty of flavour. Find more afternoon tea ideas here.
Vegan banana loaf cake
Try our simple vegan banana bread. This recipe is super moreish and easy to make, it goes perfectly with your morning tea.
Chocolate loaf cake with mint and lime
Bake our stunning loaf cake with fresh mint and zesty lime from baker, Edd Kimber. This seriously moreish recipe makes for a show-off sweet treat to serve your friends and family.
Ras el hanout and buttermilk sweet loaf cake with rose icing
Ras el hanout is a spice blend that packs an earthy punch, it works unbelievably well in this easy loaf recipe – and the rose icing complements the spiciness beautifully.
Bara brith
A traditional Welsh treat, bara brith comes crammed with tea-infused dried fruit and two types of spice. This loaf cake is delicious spread with salted butter.
Amalfi lemon loaf cake
Lemon drizzle cake is a classic for a reason. Amalfi lemons from Italy have an intense aroma and flavour that makes this cake even better, but you could use regular lemons too. Dress it up further with some tart candied peel. If you're looking for more lemon cake ideas, click here.
Banana malt loaf cake
Use up leftover bananas in our moist loaf with tea-infused dried fruit and malt extract. Malt adds an extra nutty caramel taste to this moreish tea time treat.
Date and pecan loaf with pomegranate molasses
Use pomegranate molasses in this easy loaf cake to make it extra sweet and moist. Serve with a scoop of ice cream and an extra drizzle of molasses for an indulgent dessert.
Courgette loaf cake with avocado and lime drizzle
Sneak a few of your five a day into your bake with this recipe for avocado, courgette and lime drizzle cake. The avocado gives a subtle silky feel to the sponge.
Teff, banana and apricot tea loaf
This fruity earl grey tea loaf is a great way to use up any over-ripe bananas you have lying around. And the hazelnut streusel topping adds a lovely crunchy texture to the cake.
Plum and earl grey pound cake
This plum and earl grey pound cake makes for the perfect afternoon treat with a cup of tea (earl grey, naturally). It's an easy recipe to make but it looks really good and tastes even better.
Matcha and almond loaf cakes
Matcha green tea makes a fantastic baking flavour, particularly when paired with almond. Use it in this easy loaf cake recipe, which makes one large loaf cake or eight little ones.
Coffee loaf cake with mocha fudge frosting
If your daily coffee shop treat is a mocha, you’ll love this loaf cake. It has a super indulgent icing made with dark chocolate and coffee – yum! Try this coffee tray cake for your next caffeine fix.
Christmas loaf cake with clementine drizzle
Check out this clementine drizzle loaf, a festive take on the classic lemon drizzle cake. This light recipe is super simple to bake and it's an easy crowd pleaser. Find more festive baking inspiration here.
Strawberry loaf cake
Looking for a strawberry loaf cake recipe? This pretty dessert is made with vanilla sponge filled with strawberry mascarpone cream and covered in Italian meringue frosting.
Ginger loaf cake with rhubarb
Do you love ginger loaf cake? Rhubarb and ginger are a classic flavour combination and complement one other really well. This rhubarb and ginger cake makes for a great tea-time treat and is under 300 calories per serving.
Banana and passion fruit loaf cake
Our banana and passion fruit loaf is a great way to use up bananas, as well as being an easy cake to make and looking impressive.
Caramel, poppy seed and orange loaf cake
This is a really zingy loaf cake that makes a light family pudding, with caramelised orange for a special finishing touch. Perfect for feeding a crowd over the weekend.
Comments, questions and tips
By entering your details, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions and privacy policy. You can unsubscribe at any time.