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Easter Simnel Cake

Sat, 20 April 2019

Easter Simnel Cake

Ingredients:

175g Butter or Margarine

175g Soft Brown Sugar

3 Eggs, beaten

175g Plain Flour

Pinch Salt

½ tsp Ground Mixed Spice (optional)

350g Mixed Raisins, Currants and Sultanas

55g Chopped Mixed Peel

½  Lemon, grated zest only

1-2 tbsp Apricot Jam

1 free-range Egg, beaten for glazing

1kg Marzipan or Almond Paste

 

Method:

1.  Cream the butter and sugar together until pale and fluffy. Gradually beat in the eggs until well incorporated and then sift in the flour, salt and mixed spice (if using) a little at a time.

2.  Next add the mixed dried fruit, peel and grated lemon zest and stir into the mixture.

3.  Put half the mixture into a greased and lined 18cm/7in cake tin. Smooth the top and cover with the circle of marzipan. Add the rest of the cake mixture and smooth the top leaving a slight dip in the centre to allow for the cake to rise.

4.  Bake in the preheated oven for 1¾ hours. Test by inserting a skewer in the middle - if it comes out clean, it is ready. Once baked, remove from the oven and set aside to cool on a wire rack.

5.  Brush the top of the cooled cake with the apricot jam. Divide the remainder of the almond paste in half; roll out a circle to cover the top of the cake with one half and form 11 small balls with the other half.

6.  Place the circle of paste on the jam glaze and set the balls round the edge. Brush the cake topping with a little beaten egg.

7.  Preheat the grill to high. Place the cake onto a baking tray and grill for 1-2 minutes, or until the top of the marzipan begins to brown. Alternatively, lightly heat the cake topping using a cook's blow torch, until the marzipan is golden-brown.

8.  Serve in big thick slices with a cup of tea.