Does it taste like pound cake??

From what I've read Madeira cake can range from rich sponge cake to poundcake (depending on the recipe).

Here's a traditional pound cake style Madeira cake recipe by Nigella Lawson:

http://www.globalchefs.com/recipe/dessert/web/des017madw.htm

Sponge cake style Madeira cake recipe:
(British recipe.)

http://www.gelskitchen.com/view/recipes/rec/10121/-/

HTH

HTH

We use maderia here a lot, I don't use it for cakes, although it is heavier than a sponge it is still not heavy enough to put fondant on etc. Would be ok for buttercream, though.

It is indeed a cross between a pound cake and a sponge. Much better than a sponge (personally I hate sponges, they are so tasteless, then when you put icing on it all you taste is the icing YUK!) and lighter than a pound cake. Hope this helps, if you need a recipe for this please let me know have a few differing ones you might like to try. Cheers

Re finding out what it is like - perhaps you could try making one and see how you get on with it.

I use Madeira for some cakes and find that covering them first with marzipan or almond paste makes a firm base on which to put sugar paste.

Anyway, why not make one and see if you like it and can use.

best wishes
Housemouse