You are currently viewing SIMNEL CAKE

SIMNEL CAKE

Description: Simnel cake is a traditional Easter fruitcake usually topped with marzipan. Itโ€™s a rich and fruity cake with a layer of almond paste(marzipan) baked in the middle and decorated with 11 marzipan balls symbolizing the apostles, minus Judas.

Preparation Time: 30ย minutes

Cooking Time: 2 hours

Serving Size: Makes 10-12 slices


Ingredients:

  • 250g (9 oz) mixed dried fruit (such as raisins, currants, sultanas)
  • 75g (2.5 oz) glace cherries, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons mixed peel
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • Zest of 1 orange
  • 175g (6 oz) unsalted butter, softened
  • 175g (6 oz) light brown sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 200g (7 oz) self-raising flour
  • 1 teaspoon mixed spice
  • 1 tablespoon milk
  • 500g (18 oz) marzipan

For Decoration: 11 marzipan balls (for symbolizing apostles)

ย 

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 150ยฐC (300ยฐF) and grease and line a 20cm (8-inch) round cake tin with parchment paper.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the mixed dried fruit, chopped glace cherries, mixed peel, lemon zest, and orange zest.
  3. In another bowl, cream together the softened butter and light brown sugar until pale and fluffy.
  4. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, adding a spoonful of flour with each egg to prevent curdling.
  5. Fold in the remaining flour and mixed spice until well combined.
  6. Stir in the milk and the prepared dried fruit mixture until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
  7. Spoon half of the cake batter into the prepared tin and smooth the surface with a spatula.
  8. Roll out about one-third of the marzipan into a circle slightly smaller than the cake tin and place it on top of the cake batter in the tin.
  9. Cover the marzipan with the remaining cake batter, ensuring itโ€™s evenly spread.
  10. Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours, or until a skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
  11. Allow the cake to cool in the tin for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
  12. Once the cake has cooled, roll out the remaining marzipan and use it to cover the top of the cake.
  13. Use a fork to create a crimped edge around the circumference of the cake and score a pattern on the marzipan if desired.
  14. Arrange the 11 marzipan balls evenly around the outer edge of the cake, gently pressing them into the marzipan topping.
  15. Optionally, place the cake under a hot grill for a few minutes to lightly toast the marzipan balls along with the top of the cake.
  16. Serve slices of Simnel cake as a delightful Easter treat, traditionally enjoyed with a cup of tea or coffee.