Go Back
Delia Smith Lemon and Blueberry Cake Recipe
Nancy Wilson

Delia Smith Lemon and Blueberry Cake Recipe

A tall 15cm two layer lemon and blueberry sponge made with Greek yoghurt, finished with vanilla buttercream and swirls of blueberry jam. Baked in an air fryer, with an oven conversion.
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
cooling the layers before icing 1 hour
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 10 slices
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: British
Calories: 635

Ingredients
  

For the sponge
  • 135 g butter softened, plus extra for greasing
  • 100 g full-fat Greek yoghurt
  • 3 medium eggs
  • 1 unwaxed lemon zest and juice
  • 150 g self-raising flour
  • 135 g golden caster sugar
  • 150 g blueberries fresh or frozen
For the buttercream
  • 250 g unsalted butter softened
  • 500 g icing sugar sifted
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • a little milk to loosen
  • 3 tbsp blueberry jam
To serve
  • extra full-fat Greek yoghurt
  • extra blueberries
  • extra lemon zest

Equipment

  • 2 x 15cm (6 inch) round cake tins or silicone moulds
  • Baking paper
  • Air fryer (or oven)
  • Electric whisk
  • Wire cooling rack
  • Palette knife
  • Toothed cake scraper (optional)
  • Skewer

Method
 

  1. Prepare tins. Grease two 15cm (6 inch) tins and line the bases. Heat the air fryer to 140°C.
  2. Mix batter. Whisk the sponge ingredients, apart from the blueberries, until just combined.
  3. Layer berries. Spoon half the batter into the tins and scatter over half the blueberries. Add the rest of the batter, then the remaining blueberries.
  4. Bake cakes. Air fry at 140°C for 25 to 30 minutes until risen, golden and a skewer comes out clean. Bake in batches if the tins don't fit together.
  5. Cool cakes. Leave in the tins for 10 to 15 minutes, then cool completely on a wire rack. Trim the tops level if needed.
  6. Make buttercream. Beat the butter until creamy. Gradually beat in the icing sugar and vanilla. Loosen with a little milk.
  7. Fill cake. Spread 150 g buttercream on the first layer, make a well and add 2 tbsp jam. Top with the second cake.
  8. Cover cake. Spread the remaining buttercream over the top and sides.
  9. Swirl jam. Dot the last tbsp of jam over the cake. Drag a toothed scraper round the sides and swirl the top.

Notes

  • Oven conversion (my own reading, untested): 160°C fan, 180°C conventional, gas mark 4. Start checking at 25 minutes.
  • Tin size: the recipe is written for two 15cm (6 inch) tins. Check they fit your air fryer with a gap around them.
  • Doneness: risen, golden, edges just pulling away, and a skewer through batter between berries comes out clean.
  • Storage: iced cake keeps in an airtight container in a cool place for up to 3 days, or in the fridge in warm weather. Un-iced layers freeze for up to 1 month.
  • Key tip: cool the layers fully before icing, and stop dragging the scraper once you see jam streaks.
  • Source: Juliet Sear, Air Fryer Baking Magic (HarperCollins, 2024), as credited on Delia Online.