One of the most popular categories of cakes, having the fine flavour that butter can give. They are enjoyed, too, for their own particular flavour, whether it be the basic butter mixture or flavoured with vanilla, lemon, orange, ginger or chocolate, etc. They can stand on their own, unadorned, or be dressed up with various icings and fillings. Butter cakes keep well because of the high proportion of butter to flour. Cooking margarines may replace the butter, if liked. You will, however, trade the distinctive flavour for a measure of economy, a spongier texture and a somewhat greater volume.
Butter cakes include such favourites as madeira cake, dundee cake and fruit cake.