Mary Berry Marmalade Loaf Recipe

Mary Berry Marmalade Loaf

The first time I baked this marmalade loaf, I thought I had it in the bagโ€”simple ingredients, classic Mary Berry style, what could go wrong, Wellโ€ฆ turns out, a lot, actually.

I didnโ€™t rinse the cherries (rookie error), and they bled into the batter like little red ink bombs. Then I got cocky and added an extra spoon of marmaladeโ€”trying to be generousโ€”and the whole middle caved in like a sad fruit crater.

But hereโ€™s the thing: once I got it right, it sang. Soft, golden crumb, pockets of juicy fruit, and that citrusy sticky glaze on top, Heaven. If you love a slice of something nostalgic with your cuppa, let me show you how I fixed it.

What Makes This Recipe Special

Most marmalade loaves are either too dry or overly sweetโ€”but this one nails the balance. The salted butter rounds off the sugary fruit, and using chunky marmalade gives both flavour and texture.

The trick? Itโ€™s all in the prep. Rinsing and drying the cherries (I know, sounds fussy) stops bleeding and sinking. And mixing everything in one bowl might feel too easy, but trust meโ€”it works beautifully when the ratios are right.

INGREDIENTS + WHY THEY MATTER

  • Chunky Marmalade โ€“ Adds bitter-sweet depth and a lovely sticky finish. I once used jelly-style and it just vanished into the spongeโ€”total letdown.
  • Salted Butter โ€“ Balances the sweetness. Unsalted made it taste oddly flat.
  • Golden Raisins + Currants โ€“ Each gives a different pop of texture. Too many and youโ€™ll lose the structure.
  • Maraschino Cherries โ€“ For colour and soft chew. Rinse and pat dry or theyโ€™ll streak and sink.
  • All-Purpose Flour โ€“ Strong enough for structure, soft enough for tenderness.
  • Baking Powder โ€“ Gives the lift. I tried baking soda once (donโ€™t ask why)โ€”it ballooned, then collapsed.

Making It Yours (Without Ruining It)

  • No Eggs? โ€“ I tested with ยผ cup plain yogurt per egg. It worked. Slightly denser but still held together.
  • Gluten-Free? โ€“ I used Doves Farm GF flour blend. Needed 1 extra tbsp of marmalade to help moisture.
  • Dried Fruit Swap โ€“ Chopped apricots and cranberries held up nicely. Avoid dried pineappleโ€”too wet and cloying.
  • Want it Spicier? โ€“ Add ยฝ tsp ground ginger or a pinch of clove. Adds warmth, especially in winter.

MISTAKES Iโ€™VE MADE (AND HOW TO AVOID THEM)

What Went WrongWhy It HappensHow to Fix It
Fruit sank to the bottomBatter too looseUse a rounded tablespoon of marmalade, not heaped
Top got too darkOven too hot or pan too thinCover with foil at the 1-hour mark
Loaf cracked deeplyOvermixed or wrong tin sizeMix just until combined and stick to 9×5 pan

HOW TO MAKE MARY BERRYโ€™S MARMALADE LOAF

  1. Preheat oven to 325ยฐF (163ยฐC). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf tin and line with parchmentโ€”especially the base.
  2. Prep fruit โ€“ Rinse and pat cherries dry. This step really does matter.
  3. Mix โ€“ Add softened butter, sugar, eggs, flour, baking powder, salt, marmalade, and fruit to one bowl. Stir until just combined. Donโ€™t overdo it.
  4. Bake โ€“ Pour into tin, level the top. Bake for 1 hr 30 mins, but check at 1 hr 20. A skewer should come out clean.
  5. Glaze โ€“ While warm, brush with warmed marmalade. For a crunchy crust, sprinkle a little sugar too.
Mary Berry Marmalade Loaf
Mary Berry Marmalade Loaf

TIPS FROM MY KITCHEN

  • I warm the marmalade in the microwave for 15 seconds before brushingโ€”it spreads like a dream.
  • My fan oven runs hot, so I bake at 315ยฐF and check early.
  • I soak currants in warm tea for 10 minutes, then dry them. It plumps them up beautifully.
  • Use a metal loaf tin if you canโ€”my silicone one made the base soggy.

STORAGE + SERVING

  • Room Temp: Keeps beautifully for 3 days wrapped in parchment and foil.
  • Fridge: Fine for up to a week, but bring it to room temp before servingโ€”it tastes much better that way.
  • Freezer: Wrap slices individually and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and warm slightly if you like.

Lovely with a hot cup of Earl Grey, clotted cream, or even a slice of mature cheddar if you’re feeling bold.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: Can I use homemade marmalade?
A: Absolutelyโ€”just make sure itโ€™s chunky and not too runny. The citrus peel is what gives that proper zing.

Q: Why did my loaf sink in the middle?
A: Too much liquid (too much marmalade or under-measured flour) is usually the culprit. Stick to the exact ratios.

Q: Can I make this in mini loaf tins?
A: Yes. Just reduce baking time to around 35โ€“40 minutes and keep an eye on them.

Q: Can I leave out the cherries?
A: You can, but youโ€™ll lose a bit of colour and texture. Swap with chopped dried apricots or cranberries for best results.

Q: Is it very sweet?
A: Not overly. The salted butter and citrusy marmalade balance it out. If you’re sugar-sensitive, reduce by 1 tbspโ€”it still works.

Try More Recipes:

Mary Berry Marmalade Loaf Recipe

Course: CakesCuisine: UK
Servings

1

Loaf
Prep time

15

minutes
Cooking time

1

hour 

30

minutes
Calories

280

kcal

First time I baked this, the cherries sank and the middle collapsedโ€”fixed it, and now itโ€™s a teatime favourite.

Ingredients

  • For the Loaf:
  • ยผ cup (40g) maraschino cherries, quartered

  • ยฝ cup (115g) salted butter, softened

  • ยฝ cup + 1 tbsp (115g) sugar

  • ยพ cup (115g) golden raisins

  • ยพ cup (115g) currants

  • 2 extra-large eggs

  • 1โ…“ cups (175g) all-purpose flour

  • 2 teaspoons baking powder

  • ยฝ teaspoon salt

  • 1 rounded tablespoon chunky marmalade

  • For the Topping:
  • 1 tablespoon chunky marmalade, warmed (for a sticky glaze)

  • A little sugar, for sprinkling (for a lightly sweet crust)

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 325ยฐF (163ยฐC). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and line the base with parchment.
  • Rinse cherries, drain, and pat dry.
  • In a large bowl, mix butter, sugar, eggs, flour, baking powder, salt, marmalade, and dried fruit. Stir until just combined.
  • Pour into the prepared tin. Bake for 1 hour 30 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean.
  • Cool in tin for 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack.
  • Warm marmalade and brush over the top. Sprinkle sugar if desired.

Notes

  • I warm the marmalade in the microwave for 15 seconds before brushingโ€”it spreads like a dream.
  • My fan oven runs hot, so I bake at 315ยฐF and check early.
  • I soak currants in warm tea for 10 minutes, then dry them. It plumps them up beautifully.
  • Use a metal loaf tin if you canโ€”my silicone one made the base soggy.
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