The first time I baked this marmalade loaf, I thought I had it in the bagโsimple ingredients, classic Mary Berry style, what could go wrong, Wellโฆ turns out, a lot, actually.
I didnโt 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 marmaladeโtrying to be generousโand the whole middle caved in like a sad fruit crater.
But hereโs 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 sweetโbut this one nails the balance. The salted butter rounds off the sugary fruit, and using chunky marmalade gives both flavour and texture.
The trick? Itโs 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 meโit 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 spongeโtotal 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 youโll lose the structure.
- Maraschino Cherries โ For colour and soft chew. Rinse and pat dry or theyโll 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 (donโt ask why)โit 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 pineappleโtoo wet and cloying.
- Want it Spicier? โ Add ยฝ tsp ground ginger or a pinch of clove. Adds warmth, especially in winter.
MISTAKES IโVE MADE (AND HOW TO AVOID THEM)
What Went Wrong | Why It Happens | How to Fix It |
---|---|---|
Fruit sank to the bottom | Batter too loose | Use a rounded tablespoon of marmalade, not heaped |
Top got too dark | Oven too hot or pan too thin | Cover with foil at the 1-hour mark |
Loaf cracked deeply | Overmixed or wrong tin size | Mix just until combined and stick to 9×5 pan |
HOW TO MAKE MARY BERRYโS MARMALADE LOAF
- Preheat oven to 325ยฐF (163ยฐC). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf tin and line with parchmentโespecially the base.
- Prep fruit โ Rinse and pat cherries dry. This step really does matter.
- Mix โ Add softened butter, sugar, eggs, flour, baking powder, salt, marmalade, and fruit to one bowl. Stir until just combined. Donโt overdo it.
- 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.
- Glaze โ While warm, brush with warmed marmalade. For a crunchy crust, sprinkle a little sugar too.

TIPS FROM MY KITCHEN
- I warm the marmalade in the microwave for 15 seconds before brushingโit 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 canโmy 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 servingโit 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: Absolutelyโjust make sure itโs 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 35โ40 minutes and keep an eye on them.
Q: Can I leave out the cherries?
A: You can, but youโll 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 tbspโit still works.
Try More Recipes:
- Mary Berryโ Fruit Loaf
- Mary Berryโ Banana And Honey Cake
- Mary Berry Wimbledon Cake
- Mary Berry Rich Fruit Cake
Mary Berry Marmalade Loaf Recipe
Course: CakesCuisine: UK1
Loaf15
minutes1
hour30
minutes280
kcalFirst time I baked this, the cherries sank and the middle collapsedโfixed it, and now itโs 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 brushingโit 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 canโmy silicone one made the base soggy.