Whilst we love a good hearty cake, their lighter, fruitier and zingier cousins are made to be daintily devoured on a lawn – ideally washed down with a pot of tea and consumed while wearing a tea dress. These are summer cakes we’ll be rustling up for guests, to have on standby for anyone who so happens to call by, and, well, for ourselves.
Summer Berry Cake With Rose Geranium Cream
BBC Good Food
Did you ever see a more gloriously summer confection than this? On the one hand, it’s reasonably effortful to make; on the other, it is entirely worth that effort, especially if you’re feeding a crowd who will, small doubt, be delighted by it. You can use geranium or rose water, the latter being simpler to lay hands on, but we would wholeheartedly advise going for it on the floral decoration front. A summer joy – and perfect for devouring in the garden.
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Peach Cake With Lemon & Thyme
Olive Magazine
If summer could be contained in a single bite, this would, surely, be it. The smell of the peaches alone is enough to transport is to some kind of foodie nirvana – but the balancing of that sweetness with the nutty almond base and the sprigs of thyme just nudge it up to another level of layered delight. Perfect for afternoon tea or as a pudding, served – of course – with a liberal dousing of cream.
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Classic Lemon Tart
Mary Berry
You can rely on the reigning queen of baking to come up trumps when it comes to knowing exactly what’s right for a summer’s day. Like her, this lemon tart is sprightly, elegant and full of zest. It is also remarkably simple to make – always the hallmark of a pro not to overcomplicate a classic.
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Amazing Lemon Cannellini Cake
Anna Jones
Cake is, as we know, a marvellous thing. Few, though, could claim to have health benefits. Step forward then Anna Jones, whose sensationally good recipes often manage to sneak in some serious nutritional benefits to fool our sugar-hankering brains. The rightly named ‘amazing’ lemon cannellini cake contains no fewer than two cans of the titular gut-loving beans, ground almonds and no flour at all – did someone say fibremaxxing? The good news? It is every bit as moreish as it is good for you.
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Fig, Yoghurt & Almond Cake
Ottolenghi
The fleeting season of figs must, as any cook concerned with eating in rhythm with the natural world knows, be made the absolute most of. We adore them on crostini and wrapped in salty prosciutto. But we can think of few nicer things than baking them into a tender almond cake and serving generous slices on a late-summer afternoon. The yoghurt keeps everything beautifully moist, while the figs soften into pockets of jammy sweetness that feel positively Mediterranean. Elegant enough for guests but simple enough for a weekend bake, this is exactly the sort of cake we'd like waiting under a glass dome for impromptu visitors.
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FAQs: Summer Cake Recipes
What makes a good summer cake?
The best summer cakes tend to be lighter in texture and flavour than their winter counterparts. Think citrus, seasonal berries, stone fruits and floral notes rather than heavy spices, chocolate and dried fruit.
Which fruits work best in summer cakes?
Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, peaches, apricots, cherries, nectarines and blackberries all bake beautifully and bring natural sweetness and colour.
Can summer cakes be made in advance?
Most can. Lemon tarts and fruit cakes often benefit from a few hours' resting time, while cakes topped with fresh cream are usually best assembled on the day of serving.
What should I serve with summer cake?
A pot of tea is the classic choice, but summer cakes are also lovely with elderflower cordial, homemade lemonade, a glass of sparkling wine or even a summery gin cocktail.
Which cake is easiest for beginner bakers?
The Amazing Lemon Cannellini Cake is particularly forgiving, while a classic lemon tart is a good introduction to pastry-making for those looking to develop their baking skills.
How should I store summer cakes?
Cakes containing fresh fruit or cream should be kept in the fridge and brought back to room temperature before serving. Simpler fruit cakes can often be stored in an airtight tin for several days.
Can I freeze summer cakes?
Many sponge-based cakes freeze well before decorating. Cream-filled cakes and those topped with fresh fruit are generally best enjoyed fresh.
What's the best cake for a garden party?
A berry-topped layer cake or a fruit-studded traybake tends to work best. They're easy to slice, serve and share, while looking suitably celebratory on the table.
