Simnel Cake

A Passion for Baking

Posted by Constable & Robinson

About

Serves 6 – 8

This is a fruit cake traditionally made at Easter, with eleven marzipan balls
said to represent all the disciples (except Judas). When I was explaining
this to Dylan, he looked at me in that sort of ‘Mum, you’re so simple’ way
and said, ‘Eleven disciples? Do you know anything?’

You will also need a 900g (2lb)
loaf tin, greased and the base
and ends lined with a strip of
buttered baking parchment

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You Will Need (12 things)

  • 300 g mixed Dried Fruit (such as raisins, sultanas and currants)
  • 150 g unsalted Butter , softened
  • 75 g soft Light Brown Sugar
  • 75 g soft Dark Brown Sugar
  • 200 g Self-Raising Flour
  • 40 g Mixed Peel Paste
  • 20 g crystallized or stem Ginger , finely chopped
  • 400 g Marzipan
  • 3 large Egg(s) , beaten
  • 2 tsp Mixed Spice
  • 1 tbsp black Treacle
  • 3 tbsp Apricot Jam

Steps (4 steps, 60 minutes)

  1. 1

    Preheat the oven to 170°C/325°F/Gas Mark 3.
    Soak the dried fruit for 10 minutes in a bowl of boiling
    water. Sieve and pat dry with kitchen paper.

  2. 2

    Cream the butter and sugars together until light
    and fluffy. Gradually add the beaten eggs, mixing
    well between each addition. Using a large metal
    spoon, fold the flour and spice into the cake batter.
    Add the fruits, mixed peel paste, ginger and black treacle,
    and mix to thoroughly combine.

  3. 3

    Roll 100g of the marzipan into a sausage the length of
    the tin, then flatten it into a rectangle with a rolling pin.
    Spoon half the cake mixture into a prepared loaf tin
    and lay the marzipan on top. Cover with the rest of
    the cake mixture and spread level. Bake on the middle
    shelf of the oven for 1 hour, then turn the oven down
    to 150°C/300°F/Gas Mark 2 and bake for a further
    50–60 minutes or until the cake is golden brown and
    a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean.
    Leave the cake to cool slightly in the tin, then turn out
    onto a wire rack to cool completely. Warm the apricot
    jam and sieve to remove any lumps. Brush the top of
    the cake with the jam.

  4. 4

    Divide the remaining marzipan into two equal parts.
    Divide one piece into 11 even sized balls. Using the
    cake tin as a guide roll the remaining marzipan into
    a rectangle the same size as the top of the cake. Place
    the marzipan on top of the cake, score diamonds into
    the surface and top with the marzipan balls.
    Place under the grill to gently colour the marzipan.

    Tip: Mixed peel paste
    I really like the flavour of mixed
    peel in my baking but I can’t stand
    the texture. So for years I have
    been processing mine to a paste,
    resulting in all the lovely taste
    and none of the pieces. Simply
    put a whole tub of mixed peel
    into a food processor and blend
    until you have a smooth paste.
    Store in an airtight box or jar
    for use as and when needed.