This is a sensible grown-up cake – an antidote to all the chocolate. Madeira is somehow more refined and ‘cakey’ than bouncy sponge cake and this one goes very well with just a hint of the first tender shoots of the pinkest rhubarb marbled through it (please note: this cake has been tested on some lifelong rhubarbaphobes and they both asked for another slice…)

1. Grease and line a 1lb loaf tin and preheat the oven to gas 3/150°C (ie cooler than for the cupcakes)
2. Beat the butter and sugar together for 5-10 minutes until the mixture is white and fluffy, then gradually add the eggs as you continue beating (I tend to add a little flour as I go to stop the mixture curdling).
3. Carefully fold in the flour and vanilla essence, adding the milk until you have a thick, but dropping consistency.
4. Spoon in the rhubarb (make sure it’s smooth with no lumps) and swirl around a little to make a marbled effect, but don’t over mix.
5. Pour into the loaf tin and bake for around an hour, depending on your oven (check with a skewer near the end of the cooking time – if it comes out clean, the cake is ready). This cake will keep well in a tin for several days.