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
Scale
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
