Easter Simnel Cake

This British Easter simnel fruitcake features layers of almond paste and candied fruit, decorated with marzipan balls that represent 11 Apostles sans Judas.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 2 hr 40 mins
• Total Time: 3 hr 10 mins
• Calories: 583 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 cup margarine, softened
• 1 egg, beaten
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup dried currants
• 2 tablespoons grated lemon zest
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons apricot jam
• 2 teaspoons mixed spice
• 1 pound almond paste
• 0.25 cup candied mixed fruit peel, chopped
• 1.7999999523163 cups self-rising flour
• 1.3332999944687 cups golden raisins
• 0.66699999570847 cup candied cherries - rinsed, dried and quartered

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Grease and flour an 8-inch springform pan. Line the bottom and sides of the pan with greased parchment paper.

Step 2

Beat together margarine and brown sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in 4 eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Mix in flour. Stir in golden raisins, currants, candied cherries, mixed fruit, lemon zest, and mixed spice until incorporated. Pour 1/2 of the batter into the prepared pan.

Step 3

Divide almond paste into 3 equal portions. Roll out 1 portion into an 8-inch circle. Place over batter in the pan. Cover with remaining cake batter.

Step 4

Bake in the preheated oven until evenly brown and firm to the touch, 2 hours 30 minutes. If cake is browning too quickly, cover with aluminum foil after 1 hour of baking. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn cake out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 5

Set the oven's broiler to high.

Step 6

Place apricot jam in a small microwave-safe bowl and heat in the microwave until warm, about 5 seconds. Brush the top of cooled cake with warm jam.

Step 7

Roll out another portion of almond paste into an 8-inch circle and place on top of cake. Brush the top with beaten egg. Divide remaining portion of almond paste into 11 pieces, roll into balls, and arrange around the outside edge of the top of cake. Brush the tops of balls lightly with beaten egg.

Step 8

Place cake under the preheated broiler until almond paste is golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes.