Delightful Simnel Cake Recipe
If you’re looking for a beautifully festive, celebratory bake, the Delightful Simnel Cake Recipe is a true showstopper. This rich, spiced fruit cake is layered with luscious marzipan, brimming with golden raisins, candied peel, and a hint of citrus, then crowned with eleven iconic marzipan balls for a traditional British touch. It’s the perfect centerpiece for spring gatherings, and has a wonderful history as a cake shared on Mothering Sunday or Easter. I can’t wait to walk you through every step!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Simple, wholesome ingredients come together here to create a cake that’s full of springtime flavor and irresistible aroma. Every element is carefully chosen: there’s warmth from the spices, sweetness from the dried fruits, and chewiness from layers of golden marzipan. Here’s what you’ll need for your Delightful Simnel Cake Recipe:
- Unsalted butter (1 cup, softened): Ensures a rich, tender crumb and that classic buttery taste—use really good butter for extra flavor!
- Light brown sugar (1 cup, packed): Adds a gentle caramel flavor and helps with moisture.
- Large eggs (4): Give structure and richness to the cake, binding everything together beautifully.
- All-purpose flour (2 cups): The backbone of the cake, keeping all that luscious fruit suspended.
- Baking powder (1/2 teaspoon): Adds a little lift, ensuring the texture is light but not airy.
- Ground cinnamon (1 teaspoon): Infuses gentle warmth and pairs perfectly with the fruit.
- Ground nutmeg (1/2 teaspoon): Boosts the spice blend with its nutty, aromatic notes.
- Ground cloves (1/4 teaspoon): Intensifies the spiced flavor for that classic Simnel depth.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and enhances all the wonderful flavors.
- Golden raisins (1 cup): Bring juicy bursts of mellow sweetness to every bite.
- Currants or raisins (1 cup): Add extra texture and that uniquely tangy twist.
- Chopped candied citrus peel (1/2 cup): Infuses the cake with a heavenly, fragrant bite of spring.
- Chopped glacé cherries (1/4 cup): Pop in little gems of color and candy-like flavor.
- Zest of 1 lemon: Brightens up the cake and compliments the marzipan.
- Milk (3 tablespoons): Helps keep the batter perfectly moist.
- Marzipan (14 oz, divided): Gives the signature almond flavor and those eye-catching decorations.
- Apricot jam (2 tablespoons, warmed): Creates a lovely sticky glaze so the marzipan sticks and shines.
- Whole blanched almonds (11, for decoration): A classic finishing touch on your Delightful Simnel Cake Recipe.
How to Make Delightful Simnel Cake Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven
First things first, preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Carefully grease and line an 8-inch round cake pan with parchment paper—this helps you lift your cake out cleanly and keeps it from sticking or browning too much on the edges. Don’t skip the lining; it’s essential for a fruit cake like this!
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat together your softened butter and brown sugar until the mixture becomes pale, light, and fluffy. This step is all about building air into your base for that tender crumb later on. Take your time here—really cream them together for two to three minutes, scraping down the bowl as you go.
Step 3: Add the Eggs
Crack in your eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition to ensure the batter stays smooth. If the batter looks like it’s splitting, don’t worry! It’ll all come together in the next step. Each egg adds its own richness and helps bind the mixture.
Step 4: Sift and Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Sifting these together removes any lumps and evenly distributes all those gorgeous spices—so every slice of your Delightful Simnel Cake Recipe will be equally delicious.
Step 5: Incorporate the Dry Ingredients
Gradually mix your dry ingredients into the butter-egg mixture. Use gentle folding or low mixer speed and take care not to overmix. You want the batter to stay light—the fruit and marzipan will add enough density!
Step 6: Fold in Fruit, Zest, and Milk
Now the fun really begins. Stir in your golden raisins, currants or extra raisins, candied citrus peel, cherries, lemon zest, and milk. The batter will look thick and studded with color. That’s exactly what you want. Fold everything together so it’s perfectly combined, but try not to crush the fruit.
Step 7: Add the Marzipan Layer
Take half the marzipan and roll it out into an 8-inch circle. This hidden marzipan layer is the hallmark of a great Simnel cake—it bakes into a soft, sweet almond surprise in the middle. Pour half of the cake batter into your pan, smooth it out, lay the marzipan round on top, and then spread the rest of the batter over.
Step 8: Bake
Slide your filled pan into the oven and bake for 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. The top will turn golden and your kitchen will smell incredible. Let the cake cool completely in the pan—this keeps it moist and helps prevent cracking.
Step 9: Decorate with Marzipan and Almonds
Once the cake is cool, brush the top with the warm apricot jam. Roll out the remaining marzipan into another 8-inch round and place it over the cake. Shape 11 little marzipan balls (one for each apostle, minus Judas) and arrange them evenly around the edge. If you like, gently brown the marzipan with a kitchen torch or under the broiler for a beautiful golden finish. Finally, nestle the blanched almonds between the marzipan balls for a professional look.
How to Serve Delightful Simnel Cake Recipe
Garnishes
For a truly traditional finish, dust your Delightful Simnel Cake Recipe with a little extra icing sugar or edible gold leaf just before serving. A sprig of fresh spring flowers or a light scattering of lemon zest looks beautiful too and brings out those sunny flavors.
Side Dishes
This cake is lovely on its own, but pairs wonderfully with a pot of strong English breakfast tea. For special occasions, serve thin slices alongside whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to cool off the warm spices. If you’re feeling extra celebratory, a glass of sweet dessert wine is fabulous!
Creative Ways to Present
A fun way to serve: slice and arrange the pieces on a tiered cake stand with pastel-colored napkins for a proper afternoon tea vibe! You can also cut the cake into elegant wedges and tie each slice with ribbon, making a beautiful gift or party favor. For a modern twist, serve with individual marzipan shapes on the side, inviting guests to make their own decorations.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap your Delightful Simnel Cake Recipe tightly in cling film or baking parchment and store it inside an airtight tin at room temperature. The cake actually tastes even better after a day or two, as the flavors deepen and mingle. It’ll keep beautifully for up to a week—if it lasts that long!
Freezing
If you want to get ahead, you can freeze the cooled cake (without marzipan decorations) for up to two months. Wrap well in plastic wrap and foil before placing in the freezer. When ready to enjoy, thaw the cake completely at room temperature, then glaze and decorate just before serving.
Reheating
Simnel cake is usually served at room temperature, but if you enjoy it a little warm, pop a slice in the microwave for 5–10 seconds. If you want to refresh the whole cake, cover loosely with foil and warm in a low oven (300°F/150°C) for about 10 minutes. Just remember, don’t overheat or the marzipan topping will melt!
FAQs
Can I make the Delightful Simnel Cake Recipe in advance?
Absolutely! In fact, making the cake a day or two ahead deepens its flavor and makes slicing easier. Just store it airtight, and glaze and decorate with marzipan the day you plan to serve it.
What if I can’t find marzipan?
If marzipan is tricky to find locally, many grocery stores sell almond paste, which makes a great substitute. Or, try making your own marzipan at home with ground almonds, sugar, and egg whites—it’s easier than you might think!
Can I swap out some of the dried fruits?
Definitely! Feel free to use your favorite mix of dried fruits, such as dried apricots, cranberries, or sultanas. Just keep the total quantity the same for best results. You can also add a handful of chopped nuts for extra texture.
Why are there only 11 marzipan balls on top?
The 11 balls represent the apostles, minus Judas. It’s a symbolic, traditional touch that sets the Delightful Simnel Cake Recipe apart and makes it feel especially festive and meaningful.
How do I prevent my cake from drying out?
Be careful not to overbake—start checking the cake around the 1 hour 45 minute mark. Storing it wrapped and in an airtight container also helps lock in all that lovely moisture and freshness.
Final Thoughts
I’m so excited for you to try this Delightful Simnel Cake Recipe and share it with your loved ones. It’s a cake with history, beauty, and unbeatable flavor. Whether you’re baking it for Easter, Mother’s Day, or simply because you crave something a little special, I know this recipe will bring a smile to everyone at your table. Happy baking!
Print
Delightful Simnel Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the rich and fruity flavors of this classic Delightful Simnel Cake. A traditional Easter treat in the UK, this moist fruit cake is topped with a layer of marzipan and makes a perfect dessert for any spring celebration.
Ingredients
Cake:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup light brown sugar (packed)
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup golden raisins
- 1 cup currants or raisins
- 1/2 cup chopped candied citrus peel
- 1/4 cup chopped glacé cherries
- zest of 1 lemon
- 3 tablespoons milk
Decoration:
- 14 oz marzipan (divided)
- 2 tablespoons apricot jam (warmed)
- 11 whole blanched almonds (for decoration)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C). Grease and line an 8-inch round cake pan with parchment paper.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Gradually add to the wet mixture.
- Combine fruit and zest: Fold in the golden raisins, currants, candied peel, cherries, lemon zest, and milk.
- Layer batter and marzipan: Roll out half of the marzipan into an 8-inch circle. Pour half of the batter into the pan, top with marzipan, then add remaining batter.
- Bake: Bake for 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool, then brush with apricot jam.
- Decorate: Cover with remaining marzipan, create marzipan balls, and brown the top under a broiler or with a torch.
Notes
- Simnel cake is traditionally served at Easter or Mothering Sunday in the UK.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
- The flavor improves after resting a day or two.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 38g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 61g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
