Colonial Williamsburg Queen's Cake

"The Raleigh Tavern's Bake Shop in Colonial Williamsburg is a favorite destination for Virginia tourists. Queen's Cake, a dense buttery pound cake studded with currants and bursting with bright citrus flavor, is one of the bakery's most popular items. Now you can enjoy this easy dessert in your own kitchen with just a handful of simple ingredients -- no vacation necessary! Not to be confused with a Queen Victoria Sponge Cake (which is a layer cake with jam in the middle) or a Russian King's Cake (a chocolate layer cake), the Queen's Cake from Colonial Williamsburg is a recipe from 18th century England that has been updated for modern baking. The Colonial Queen Cakes were enjoyed in Virginia homes during the Colonial times, and one of the first known published recipes dates back to The Art of Cookery, Made Plain and Easy from 1760. This colonial Queen's Cake is a citrus pound cake that's baked in a loaf pan and studded with an abundance of dried currants. It's dense, buttery, sweet and oh-so-decadent! One small slice is all you need to instantly transport you to a different era. "

Preparation Time20 min

Chilling Time2 hr

Cooking Time1 hr 30 min

Cooking MethodOven

Cooking Vessel Size8 x 5 loaf pan