The easiest recipes are the ones where the ingredients come together in a matter of minutes, with very little effort or equipment required. Muffins immediately fit these requirements. A few simple ingredients, barely any mixing and baked within a few minutes. When I see such a recipe, the first thought that comes to mind is whether the batter could be made into a larger cake with the same minimal effort. This recipe does comply.
Muffins are a little sturdier than a cupcake. And this loaf is that because the butter portion is half of what would have been used in a cupcake. A skinny loaf of sorts. There will be a few cracks in the cake. With the addition of a simple frosting, this loaf is very tasty. Best eaten on the day, just like a muffin, but still good eaten the next day.
Ingredients for loaf
- 1/4 c (60g) butter, melted
- 3/4 c (150g) caster sugar
- 2 c (300g) cake flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1 c buttermilk
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 c (150g) blueberries (fresh or frozen)
- 1/4 c (30g) dessicated coconut
- zest of one lemon
- 2 – 3 TB of coconut chips/shavings (optional for decoration)
Method to make loaf
- Preheat oven to 180 degrees celsius.
- Grease and line the bottom of a 22 x 12 cm loaf pan.
- In a large bowl combine flour, baking powder, dessicated coconut, lemon zest, sugar and salt.
- In another bowl, using a whisk or a fork, mix the buttermilk, egg and melted butter.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry and lightly mix, as if making muffins.
- Add the blueberries and give a quick mix to evenly combine.
- Turn batter into the pan.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes until cake is well-risen, lightly golden in colour and coming away from the sides of the pan.
- Leave to cool for a few minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to completely cool.
Lemon Frosting
- 2 c sifted icing sugar
- 3 TB melted butter
- zest of 1 lemon
- 2 – 3 TB of lemon juice
- In a bowl, add melted butter to icing sugar and lemon zest.
- Mix with a wooden spoon or spatula to combine.
- Add 2-3 TB of lemon juice to get a spreadable consistency.
- Give the frosting a good beating with the wooden spoon or spatula until smooth.
- Spread loosely over cooled loaf.
- Toast 2 – 3 TB of coconut shavings and decorate loaf.
