Easter Simnel Cake

Good Times, Good Food - Holidays and Events

A traditional Easter fruitcake decorated with marzipan balls that represent the 11 Apostles (Judas was excluded.) Bake in a deep pan.

Brief

Prep 30 mins

Cook: 2hrs30 mins

Additional: 20 mins

Total: 3hrs20 mins

Servings: 12

Yield: 1 - 8 inch springform pan

Easter Simnel Cake

Ingredients

1 cup margarine

softened

1 cup light brown sugar

4 eggs

1.8 cups self-rising flour

1 ⅓ cups golden raisins

1 cup dried currants

⅔ cup candied cherries - rinsed

dried and quartered

¼ cup candied mixed fruit peel

chopped

2 tablespoons grated lemon zest

2 teaspoons mixed spice

1 pound almond paste

2 tablespoons apricot jam

1 egg

beaten

Gigot D'Agneau au Four (Roast Lamb with Beans)

Holidays and Events

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

In a large bowl cream together the margarine and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Beat in the flour. Stir in the golden raisins currants candied cherries mixed fruit lemon zest and mixed spice. Pour 1/2 of batter into prepared pan.

Step 3

Divide almond paste into 3 equal portions. Roll out 1/3 of the almond paste to an 8 inch circle. Place the circle of almond paste on the cake batter in pan. Cover with remaining cake batter.

Step 4

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

Step 5

When the cake has cooled brush the top with warmed apricot jam. Roll out 1/3 of the almond paste into an 8 inch circle and place on top of cake. Divide the remaining 1/3 of almond paste into 11 pieces and roll into balls. These represent the 11 Apostles (excluding Judas.) Brush the almond paste on top of cake with beaten egg. Arrange the 11 balls around the outside edge on the top of cake. Brush the balls lightly with egg.

Step 6

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

Nutritional Information

Easter Simnel Cake

Servings Per Recipe:12

Calories: 583.3

% Daily Value *

Protein: 8.9g 18%

Carbohydrates: 79g 26%

Dietary Fiber: 3.9g 16%

Sugars: 36g

Fat: 27.9g 43%

Saturated Fat: 4.3g 22%

Cholesterol: 77.5mg 26%

Vitamin A Iu: 779.9IU 16%

Niacin Equivalents: 2.9mg 23%

Vitamin B6: 0.1mg 8%

Vitamin C: 7.3mg 12%

Folate: 76.3mcg 19%

Calcium: 178.1mg 18%

Iron: 2.7mg 15%

Magnesium: 66.1mg 24%

Potassium: 383.8mg 11%

Sodium: 460.9mg 18%

Thiamin: 0.2mg 18%

Calories From Fat: 250.8

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

**Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-)Nutrition information is provided for reference only. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.