Hello foodies, Anne Carter is here at Beyond The Bayou Blog to share delicious recipes with you to make you love through recreating various food recipes. One such recipe is today on my hand which is a special one during Easters: Simnel cake recipe.
Last evening, I found myself in a delightful predicament when my son’s friend unexpectedly dropped by for a surprise visit. Excited to welcome them, I wanted to whip up something special to treat them with. I decided on baking a Simnel Cake. It seemed like the perfect choice to impress them with its rich flavors and festive charm. Both of them enjoyed the delicious flavor of this lovely cake with Fruit Salad with Whipped Cream and some Oatmeal Coconut Cookies.
So are you all ready to learn the magic of baking this quick yet delicious cake? If yes, just grab your apron and start the recipe of the day.
Overview: How To Make Simnel Cake Recipe?
Get ready for a mouthwatering Easter treat with Simnel Cake! This classic Easter bake is packed with fruity goodness and bursting with flavor, thanks to the delightful addition of marzipan both on top and inside. It’s a true delight for your taste buds!
To whip up this scrumptious cake, gather your ingredients and set aside about 30 minutes for prep. The total cooking time clocks in at around 2 hours, but don’t forget about the essential cooling and decorating, which adds an extra 2 hours to the mix. With this recipe, you’ll end up with approximately 12 slices of pure indulgence.
Now, let’s talk about ingredients. You’ll need a mix of raisins, sultanas, currants, mixed peel, and halved glac� cherries, along with the zest and juice of an orange. Don’t forget the unsalted butter, light brown soft sugar, eggs, plain flour, ground almonds, baking powder, and a blend of mixed spice, ginger, and cinnamon. Oh, and apricot jam and plenty of marzipan to seal the deal!
Once you’ve prepped your ingredients, it’s time to dive into the baking process. Double-line a deep 8-inch cake tin and preheat your oven. Then, mix your fruit with a dash of water and zap it in the microwave or heat it up on the stove. Beat together your butter and sugar, add in the eggs, flour, almonds, and spices, and fold in the soaked fruit.
Pour half the cake mix into your tin, layer on some marzipan, and cover it with the remaining mix. After a leisurely 2-hour bake, let the cake cool fully before brushing it with apricot jam and adding a final layer of marzipan and decorative balls. A quick golden grill in the oven, and voil��your Simnel Cake is ready to steal the show at any Easter gathering!
Try More Cake Recipes!
Delicious Simnel Cake Recipe
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Wooden Spoon
- Oven
- Cooling Rack
- Knife
Ingredients
- 75 g raisins
- 75 g sultanas
- 75 g currants
- 50 g mixed peel
- 100 g glac� cherries�(halved)
- Zest of�1�orange
- Juice of�1�orange
- 225 g unsalted butter
- 225 g light brown soft sugar
- 3�medium�eggs
- 150 g ground almonds
- 150 g 150�g�plain flour
- 1 tsp �baking powder
- 1 tsp �mixed spice
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2-3 tsp �apricot jam
- 500 g �marzipan
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 150�C (130�C fan) and line an 8-inch cake tin with two layers of parchment paper.
- Roll out 1/3 of the marzipan to match the size of the cake tin and set aside.
- Combine raisins, sultanas, currants, mixed peel, glace cherries, orange zest, orange juice, and water in a bowl. Microwave for 2 minutes on high or heat in a pan for 10 minutes.
- In a separate bowl, cream together butter and sugar.
- Beat in eggs, followed by flour, ground almonds, baking powder, mixed spice, ginger, and cinnamon.
- Stir in the soaked fruit mixture until well combined.
- Pour half of the cake batter into the prepared cake tin, then place the rolled-out marzipan on top. Pour the remaining batter over the marzipan.
- Bake for 2 hours, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely.
- Brush the top of the cooled cake with apricot jam.
- Roll out another third of the marzipan and place it on top of the cake. Form the remaining marzipan into 11 small balls and arrange them around the edge of the cake. Brush the top with egg wash and grill in the oven for 1-2 minutes until golden.
Nutrition
What to Serve with Simnel Cake?
Time for The Tips!
- DIY Glac� Cherries: Don’t sweat it, making your own glac� cherries is a piece of cake with my recipe. You’ll ace it!
- Prep Ahead: Want to save time? Soak your fruit the day before you bake. This gives the fruit time to soak up all that yummy liquid.
- Jam Choice: Forget strawberry or raspberry jam, apricot jam is where it’s at! It gives your cake a nice, subtle flavor kick.
- Spice it Up: For that authentic taste, reach for mixed spices. But hey, if you’re out, no worries! Pumpkin pie spice or good ol’ ground cinnamon will do the trick just fine.
- Handle with Care: Watch out for that marzipan! It’s a quick burner under the broiler, so keep your eyes peeled. And if you’ve got a blowtorch handy, use it with caution.
- Patience is a Virtue: Let your cake cool completely before slicing. This ensures you get those perfect, clean cuts.
Possible Variations and Subtitutions!
- Nutty Twist: Add chopped nuts such as almonds, pecans, or walnuts to the fruit mixture for an extra crunch and depth of flavor.
- Boozy Infusion: Soak the dried fruits in your favorite liquor, such as brandy or rum, overnight before incorporating them into the cake batter for a rich and indulgent flavor.
- Citrus Burst: Experiment with different citrus fruits like lemon or lime zest and juice to add a refreshing twist to the cake’s flavor profile.
- Spiced Delight: Enhance the warm, comforting spices by adding a pinch of nutmeg or cloves to the mix for a more aromatic and complex taste.
- Chocolate Indulgence: Fold in some chopped dark chocolate into the batter for a decadent chocolatey surprise that complements the sweetness of the fruits and marzipan.
- Fruity Variations: Swap out some of the dried fruits for others like dried apricots, cranberries, or chopped figs to customize the cake to your taste preferences.
- Almond Extravaganza: For almond lovers, add almond extract to the batter to intensify the almond flavor or sprinkle sliced almonds on top for a decorative touch.
- Coconut Infusion: Incorporate shredded coconut into the batter for a tropical twist that pairs wonderfully with the other flavors in the cake.
- Glaze Finish: Instead of grilling the marzipan topping, consider making a simple glaze using powdered sugar and water or lemon juice for a glossy finish.
- Personalize with Decorations: Get creative with the decorations on top of the cake. Instead of traditional marzipan balls, try using edible flowers, chocolate eggs, or fondant decorations to make your Simnel Cake uniquely yours.
Post Grid #2
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I omit the alcohol from the dried fruit soaking?
A: Of course! If you prefer not to use alcohol, you can soak the dried fruits in fruit juice or even just water. The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious.
Q: Can I decorate my Simnel Cake differently?
A: Absolutely! Get creative with your decorations. While traditional marzipan balls around the edge are classic, you can use edible flowers, chocolate eggs, or any other Easter-themed decorations to make your Simnel Cake uniquely yours.
Q: Can I make a vegan version of Simnel Cake?
A: Yes, you can! There are many vegan-friendly alternatives available for ingredients like butter and eggs. You can also find vegan marzipan or make your own using almond meal and vegan sweeteners.