Simnel Cake

A timeless symbol of springtime celebration, Simnel Cake is a beautifully spiced fruit cake layered with soft marzipan and finished with its iconic toasted almond topping. Packed with plump dried fruits, fragrant citrus zest, warm spices, and a hint of sweetness, the cake bakes up rich, dense, and wonderfully moist.
Cooking Time
50
Portions
11

Ingredients

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  • g mixed dried fruit
  • g Country Range Glace Cherries
  • g soft butter
  • g light brown sugar
  • g Country Range Plain Flour
  • g Country Range Ground Almonds
  •   eggs eggs
  •   tbsp mixed spice
  •   tbsp ground cinnamon
  •   tbsp vanilla essence
  • g Country Range Apricot Jam
  • g marzipan

  • 1

    Step 1

    Pre heat the oven to 150c / 130c fan
  • 2

    Step 2

    Double line a spring base cake tin with parchment and butter
  • 3

    Step 3

    Cream together the sugar and butter until light and fluffy
  • 4

    Step 4

    Add 1 beaten egg at a time until a smooth consistency
  • 5

    Step 5

    Add the dried fruit, halved cherries and spices and half fill the cake tin with the mix
  • 6

    Step 6

    Roll out 1 third of the marzipan to the size of the round tin and place on top of the cake mix
  • 7

    Step 7

    Add the remaining cake mix and flatten with a spatula
  • 8

    Step 8

    Bake in the oven for 50 mins. Gently insert a skewer and check it comes out clean, or bake for a few more mins
  • 9

    Step 9

    Remove from the cake tin when it’s cool enough to handle and allow to full cool at room temp
  • 10

    Step 10

    Brush the top with apricot jam and roll out 1/3rd of the remaining marzipan and place on top. Crimp the edges as per image
  • 11

    Step 11

    Make 11 equal sized small marzipan balls and evenly space on top
  • 12

    Step 12

    Grill or blow torch the marzipan to finish the look

Ingredients

  • 225 g mixed dried fruit
  • 100 g Country Range Glace Cherries
  • 250 g soft butter
  • 225 g light brown sugar
  • 200 g Country Range Plain Flour
  • 75 g Country Range Ground Almonds
  • 4 eggs eggs
  • 1 tbsp mixed spice
  • 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
  • 2 tbsp vanilla essence
  • 100 g Country Range Apricot Jam
  • 500 g marzipan