Traditional Simnel Cake 🎂🌸
Simnel cake is a classic British Easter treat, combining a rich fruitcake with a delightful layer of marzipan baked into the centre. Topped with more marzipan and eleven decorative balls, it symbolises the apostles (minus Judas). A perfect bake for spring celebrations!
Ingredients:
🧈 Butter: 175g, softened
🍬 Light muscovado sugar: 175g
🥚 Eggs: 3 large, beaten
🌾 Self-raising flour: 175g
🍋 Lemon zest: 1 tsp
🍊 Mixed dried fruits: 225g (e.g., raisins, sultanas, currants)
🍒 Glacé cherries: 100g, halved
🍊 Mixed peel: 50g
🧂 Mixed spice: 1 tsp
🍶 Milk: 2 tbsp (if needed, to loosen batter)
🌟 Marzipan: 450g (divided for layers and decoration)
🥚 Egg yolk: 1, beaten, for glazing
Method:
🍳 Preheat the oven to 150°C (fan 130°C). Grease and line a 20cm round cake tin with baking parchment.
🧈 Cream together the butter and muscovado sugar until pale and fluffy. Gradually beat in the eggs, a little at a time, until fully combined.
🌾 Fold in the flour, mixed spice, lemon zest, dried fruits, cherries, and mixed peel. Add a splash of milk if the mixture feels too stiff.
🍰 Divide the marzipan in half. Roll one half into a circle roughly the size of your cake tin.
🥄 Spoon half the cake mixture into the prepared tin and level it out. Place the marzipan layer on top, then spoon over the remaining cake mixture, smoothing the top.
🔥 Bake in the preheated oven for 2–2.5 hours, or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Cool completely in the tin.
🌟 Decorate the top: Roll the remaining marzipan into another circle for the cake top and 11 small balls. Place the circle over the cake, crimping the edges. Arrange the balls in a circle around the edge.
🥚 Brush with beaten egg yolk, then place the cake under a preheated grill for a few minutes until the marzipan is lightly browned. Keep an eye on it to avoid burning!
Serving Information:
⏱ Prep Time: 30 minutes
⏱ Baking Time: 2–2.5 hours
🍴 Servings: 12 slices
🔥 Calories per slice: ~400
Enjoy this festive and traditional Easter delight with family and friends! 🐣💐