Description
A traditional British Simnel Cake bursting with mixed dried fruits and aromatic spices, layered with a sweet marzipan center and topped with more marzipan. This moist, flavorful cake is perfect for festive occasions or as a delightful treat with tea.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Batter
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups mixed dried fruits (raisins, currants, sultanas)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 tsp baking powder
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1/4 cup whole milk
Marzipan Layer
- 4 oz marzipan, rolled out
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8-inch round cake pan with baking parchment to prevent sticking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, approximately 5 minutes. This step ensures an airy texture.
- Add Eggs and Flavors: Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the lemon and orange zest along with the ground cinnamon and nutmeg to infuse the batter with citrusy, warm spice flavors.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients and Fruits: In a separate bowl, combine the flour and baking powder. Gradually fold these dry ingredients into the wet mixture to maintain airiness. Next, fold in the mixed dried fruits evenly throughout the batter.
- Layer Batter and Marzipan: Pour half of the batter into the prepared cake pan, smoothing the surface. Roll out the marzipan to an even thickness and carefully place it over the batter layer. Then pour the remaining batter on top, covering the marzipan completely.
- Bake the Cake: Place the cake pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. This indicates the cake is fully cooked through.
- Cool and Finish: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cool, the cake can be decorated if desired, traditionally with more marzipan or icing sugar dusting.
Notes
- The marzipan layer adds a delicious, moist almond flavor and texture contrast inside the cake.
- Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature for best mixing results.
- If you don’t have mixed dried fruits on hand, substitute with your preferred combination, such as dried cranberries or chopped dates.
- To make the cake gluten free, use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.
- Store the Simnel Cake in an airtight container; it tastes even better after a day as flavors meld.
