Simnel cake

Simnel cake

1 h
With an irresistible flavour and deep roots in tradition, our Easter simnel cake is a must-try this season. With its rich marzipan layer and festive Easter eggs on top, it is perfect for Easter celebrations, combining the sweetness of marzipan with the zesty brightness of orange, raisins, and cranberries, ensuring a balanced and festive cake.
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Instructions

Cake
  • Preheat the oven to 150°C (conventional oven).
  • Whisk butter, sugar, flour, eggs, cinnamon, salt, and orange zest.
  • Fold in raisins/cranberries and orange peel.
  • Roll out marzipan between two pieces of baking paper.
  • Cut or stamp out a circle with a diameter of 18 cm.
  • Grease a tall springform tin (18 cm in diameter) and pour half of the batter into it.
  • Place the marzipan circle on top of the batter and pour the remaining batter over it.
  • Bake the cake for about 2 hours until the cake is golden and cooked through. Check with a skewer to see if the cake is done. Allow the cake to cool completely, then remove it from the pan.
Topping
  • Spread a thin layer of apricot jam on top of the cake.
  • Roll out marzipan between two pieces of baking paper and cut out a circle (18 cm in diameter).
  • Place the marzipan lid on top of the apricot jam.
  • Place the cake on a serving platter and place Easter eggs around the edge of the marzipan lid. Press the eggs gently into the marzipan lid.
Enjoy!
Tips

This type of cake requires a long, slow bake. To prevent the top from over-browning, you may need to cover it loosely with foil halfway through baking. Due to its dense nature, use a skewer or cake tester inserted into the centre of the cake to check for doneness. If it comes out clean, the cake is fully baked.

Tips

Simnel cake is an excellent choice for making ahead as its flavours deepen and mature over time. You can make it 2-4 weeks before Easter to let it develop its flavours and texture, which also lets you spread out your Easter preparations. If you are short on time, making the cake even 1 week in advance will still benefit its overall flavour and texture. However, you should add any fresh decorations just before serving.

Questions about Simnel cake

Do you want to know more about this traditional Easter cake? Below, we answer a few of the most commonly asked questions about simnel cake so you can get to know everything before you start baking.

What is a simnel cake?
Simnel cake is a traditional cake from the UK and Ireland known for its mix of dried fruits and layers of marzipan inside and on top. It is decorated with 11 marzipan balls representing the apostles, excluding Judas. Though it was originally made for the middle Sunday of Lent, today, it is closely associated with Easter traditions in a broader sense. It is deliciously sweet and spiced from dried fruits, marzipan, warm spices, and citrus zest.
How long does simnel cake last?
Simnel cake can last up to two weeks when stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature. Store it in a cool, dry place. To enhance the flavour and texture, consider making the cake 2-4 weeks ahead, allowing the spices and fruits to meld. Add marzipan and decorations a few days before serving to maintain the freshness.
Can you freeze simnel cake?
Yes, you can freeze simnel cake. Wrap it tightly in cling film and foil and freeze it for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature for several hours or overnight before serving. It is best to freeze the cake without the marzipan lid and balls and add these and any additional decorations after thawing.
How to decorate simnel cake?
After baking and cooling, brush the top with apricot jam and cover with a rolled-out layer of marzipan. Place 11 or 12 Easter eggs or marzipan balls on top. You can toast the marzipan with a kitchen torch to give it a golden appearance. You can also decorate with edible flowers or a dusting of icing sugar.
How many balls to put on a simnel cake?
Traditionally, there are 11 marzipan balls on top. They represent the apostles, excluding Judas. Some variations include a 12th marzipan ball to represent Jesus Christ.
When do you eat simnel cake?
Simnel cake is traditionally eaten on the days around Easter. It was originally made for the middle Sunday of Lent, which is halfway through Lent, but it has become more specifically associated with Easter Sunday itself and the surrounding celebrations.

Ingredients

Cake
Soft butter or spreadable
180 g
Sugar
180 g
Wheat flour
180 g
Eggs
3
Cinnamon
1 tsp
Salt
½ tsp
Orange (unsprayed), finely grated zest
1
Raisins and/or cranberries
175 g
Candied orange peel, in small pieces
100 g
Marzipan
150 g
Topping
Apricots jam
100 ml
Marzipan
150 g
Easter eggs
11

Celebrate Easter with a traditional simnel cake

Easter is a time for traditions, so why not go all out? This simnel cake dates way back and is the essence of Easter with its traditional decorations and zesty, fruity, springtime flavours. Make this for your Easter celebrations, impressing your guests with a moist and flavourful cake that has deep roots in the history of Easter. From top to bottom, it is full of flavours from sweet, nutty marzipan, tangy and sweet apricot jam, and various dried, fresh, and candied fruits and berries.

A moist Easter cake with orange flavour

Easter simnel cake stands out with its vibrant orange flavour, provided by finely grated zest and candied peel. They imbue the cake with a refreshing citrus aroma and flavour. Raisins and/or cranberries complement the orange notes, adding bursts of sweetness and tartness that enhance the moisture and complexity of the cake. This creates a rich, fruity profile, making each slice irresistibly moist and infused with a subtle, yet distinct orange essence.

A layer of marzipan in the middle

A layer of marzipan is baked into the fruity cake batter. It enriches the cake with a moist, almond-flavoured sweetness that permeates each slice, enhancing the overall flavour profile with its rich, nutty essence. The marzipan layer introduces a soft, slightly chewy contrast to the dense, fruit-laden cake. The layer melds with the other ingredients during baking, ensuring that the almond flavour subtly infuses the cake, balancing the sweetness of the fruits and the depth of the spices.

Completed with apricot jam and a marzipan lid

The cake has a finishing sweet and fruity touch to complement the dried fruit and baked marzipan layer. The jam enhances the cake's moisture and introduces a subtle, fruity sweetness to balance the richness of the marzipan and the dense, spiced fruitcake beneath. The marzipan lid introduces a rich almond sweetness and a luxurious texture, balancing the spiced fruitcake's complex flavours and the apricot jam's tartness. And, of course, it creates the layer on which the classic Easter eggs or marzipan balls will be.

A symbolic decoration – the history of simnel cake

Simnel cake is a traditional fruitcake usually eaten during Easter in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The long history of simnel cake dates back to medieval times, and it is known for its layers of marzipan and marzipan balls on top. Traditionally, there are 11 balls representing the apostles, excluding Judas because he betrayed Jesus. Some variations include a 12th ball to represent Jesus Christ, depending on the cultural or family tradition. The 11 Easter eggs in this recipe are the final touch of the fruitcake. They are a central part of the symbolism of the cake and contribute to the look as well. You can use chocolate Easter eggs or shape balls of marzipan, depending on your preferences.

Make a personal Easter simnel cake

For a richer flavour, consider soaking the dried fruit in orange juice or a splash of brandy overnight. This will plump up the fruit and add moisture to the cake. If you want a decorative, toasted finish on the marzipan, use a kitchen torch to brown the marzipan slightly. Watch closely to ensure it browns evenly without burning. Its slight toasting enhances the nutty almond flavour, adding depth and a hint of caramelisation. The traditional recipe calls for cinnamon, but feel free to experiment with other spices such as nutmeg, mixed spice, or allspice to add depth and warmth to the flavour profile. If you want to try other recipes for Easter cakes, have a look at this one for Easter bunny cake or this one for Swiss carrot cake, also known as Rüblitorte .