Simnel cake recipe Recipe

Our Simnel cake recipe makes a traditional rich fruit cake for Easter topped with a layer of marzipan and 11 marzipan balls.

Simnel cakes have been eaten since medieval times, and although they are now thought of as a traditional Easter cake idea, the cake was originally a Mothering Sunday tradition. It is thought that the name of the cake comes from Latin, where the word 'simila' means fine, wheaten flour.

Much like a Christmas cake, a Simnel cake features many of the elements of a traditional fruit cake – namely a mixture of dried fruits such as sultanas, currants, raisins and candied mixed peel as well as the inclusion of brandy to 'feed' the cake. The main difference between a simnel cake recipe and Christmas cake is the use of marzipan. Unlike a Christmas cake where marzipan can be used under royal icing, on a Simnel cake the use of a marzipan layer on the top of the cake is the main decoration, along with eleven marzipan balls spread equally on the top, each symbolising Jesus's disciples (minus Judas).

You can make a Simnel cake up to a week ahead of when you want to eat it, but just ensure to add the marzipan layer no earlier than the day before you swerve it for freshness and flavour.

Ingredients

• 500g marzipan
• 175g butter
• 175g light muscovado sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 250g plain flour, sifted
• ½tsp baking powder
• 50g ground almonds
• 300g mix of raisins, sultanas and currants
• 50g candied peel, chopped
• zest 1 lemon
• 2tsp mixed spice
• 2tbsp milk
• 2tbsp brandy
• 1tbsp apricot jam

You will also need an 18cm loose-bottomed cake tin, greased and double-lined with baking parchment for this Simnel cake recipe.

How to make Simnel cake:

• Preheat the oven to 170 C, 150 C fan, gas 3. Roll out a third of the marzipan into a round the size of the cake tin and set aside.
• Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, then gradually add 3 eggs while beating.
• Sift in the flour and baking powder, fold in the almonds, then add the rest of the ingredients, apart from the apricot jam and the last egg.
• Spoon half the mixture into the cake tin, place the rolled out piece of marzipan on top, pressing lightly, then cover with the rest of the cake mix. Make a slight dip in the top of the mixture to stop it rising when cooking. Bake on the middle shelf of the oven for 1 hour 30 minutes, until nicely browned, or until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean. Allow to cool.
• Roll out half the remaining marzipan to the size of the cake. Spread a thin layer of apricot jam on the top of the cake and lightly press the layer of marzipan on, crimping the edges. Roll the remaining marzipan into 11 balls. Beat the last egg and use to brush the cake top, then stick on the marzipan balls. Put the cake under a medium grill for a minute or so to glaze. The cake will keep for up to 7 days in an airtight container. You could also wrap it and store in the freezer for up to 6 weeks.