How to Make Easter Simnel Cake - A Step-by-Step Guide

Easter Simnel Cake is a traditional British dessert that is enjoyed during the Easter season. This rich fruitcake is filled with a layer of marzipan and topped with 11 marzipan balls to represent the 11 apostles, excluding Judas. It is a delicious and festive treat that has been enjoyed for centuries, making it the perfect addition to your Easter celebration.

The origins of Simnel Cake can be traced back to medieval times, where it was often served as a gift during the Easter festivit...

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Ingredients

  • 1 cup margarine, softened
  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 1.7999999523163 cups self-rising flour
  • 1 ⅓ cups golden raisins
  • 1 cup dried currants
  • ⅔ cup candied cherries - rinsed, dried and quartered
  • ¼ cup candied mixed fruit peel, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons grated lemon zest
  • 2 teaspoons mixed spice
  • 1 pound almond paste
  • 2 tablespoons apricot jam
  • 1 egg, beaten

Information

  • Prep Time: 30 mins
  • Cook Time: 2 hrs 30 mins
  • Additional Time: 20 mins
  • Total Time: 3 hrs 20 mins
  • Servings: 12
  • Yield: 1 to 8 - inch springform pan

  • Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Grease and flour an 8 inch springform pan. Line the bottom and sides of pan with greased parchment paper.
  • In a large bowl, cream together the margarine and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Beat in the flour. Stir in the golden raisins, currants, candied cherries, mixed fruit, lemon zest and mixed spice. Pour 1/2 of batter into prepared pan.
  • Divide almond paste into 3 equal portions. Roll out 1/3 of the almond paste to an 8 inch circle. Place the circle of almond paste on the cake batter in pan. Cover with remaining cake batter.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 2 1/2 hours, or until evenly brown and firm to the touch. If the cake is browning too quickly, cover with foil after an hour of baking. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely. Set oven to broil.
  • When the cake has cooled, brush the top with warmed apricot jam. Roll out 1/3 of the almond paste into an 8 inch circle and place on top of cake. Divide the remaining 1/3 of almond paste into 11 pieces and roll into balls. These represent the 11 Apostles (excluding Judas.) Brush the almond paste on top of cake with beaten egg. Arrange the 11 balls around the outside edge on the top of cake. Brush the balls lightly with egg.
  • Place cake under the broiler for 8 to 10 minutes, or until almond paste is golden brown.
  • Nutrition

    583 cal.

    • Total Fat: 28g
    • Saturated Fat: 4g
    • Cholesterol: 78mg
    • Sodium: 461mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 79g
    • Dietary Fiber: 4g
    • Total Sugars: 36g
    • Protein: 9g
    • Vitamin C: 7mg
    • Calcium: 178mg
    • Iron: 3mg
    • Potassium: 384mg