Easter Simnel Cake
Make a traditional Easter Simnel Cake with candied fruit and almond paste.
The cake is decorated with 11 marzipan balls to represent the Apostles.
It's a classic dessert for Easter.
By Nadia Kovalenko
Posted October 29, 2026Share
Time
Calories
Servings
Difficulty
Description
Make a traditional Easter Simnel Cake with candied fruit and almond paste.
The cake is decorated with 11 marzipan balls to represent the Apostles.
It's a classic dessert for Easter.
Quick Tip Read the recipe in its entirety before you start cooking. This will help you understand the ingredients, steps, and timing involved, and allow you to prepare any necessary equipment or ingredients beforehand.
Ingredients 13
1 cup margarine, softened
1 cup light brown sugar
4 eggs
1.7999999523163 cups self-rising flour
1.3332999944687 cups golden raisins
1 cup dried currants
0.66699999570847 cup candied cherries - rinsed, dried and quartered
0.25 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
Instructions
-
1
Preheat the oven to 150 degrees C. Grease and flour a deep 8-inch springform pan. Line the bottom and sides with greased parchment paper.
-
2
Beat margarine and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in 4 eggs one at a time. Mix in flour. Stir in golden raisins, currants, candied cherries, mixed fruit, lemon zest, and mixed spice. Pour half of the batter into the pan.
-
3
Divide almond paste into 3 equal portions. Roll out one portion into an 8-inch circle. Place it over the batter in the pan. Cover with remaining cake batter.
-
4
Bake for 2 hours 30 minutes. If the cake is browning too quickly, cover with aluminum foil after 1 hour. Let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack.
-
5
Set the oven's broiler to high.
-
6
Heat apricot jam in the microwave until warm. Brush the top of the cooled cake with warm jam.
-
7
Roll out another portion of almond paste into an 8-inch circle and place on top of the cake. Brush the top with beaten egg. Divide the remaining almond paste into 11 pieces, roll into balls, and arrange around the edge of the cake. Brush the tops lightly with beaten egg.
-
8
Place the cake under the broiler until the almond paste is golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 12
Amount Per Serving
-
Calories 583 kcal
% Daily Value *
-
Total Fat 28g
-
Saturated Fat 4g
-
Cholesterol 78mg
-
Sodium 461mg
-
Total Carbohydrate 79g
-
Dietary Fiber 4g
-
Protein 9g
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Popular Recipes
You Might Also Like
Beer and Brown Sugar Steak Marinade
This marinade is made with simple ingredients and doesn't overpower the taste of the beef....
Cuban-Style Mojo Shrimp
Shrimp are marinated in a mix of lime, orange, grapefruit, and lemon juices with some...
Blue Cheese Burgers
These burgers are made with blue cheese and hot sauce. They have a strong flavor.
Almond Baklava
To make baklava, you first make a sweet syrup. The syrup is made with sugar,...
Ready to cook?
Sign up for our tasty newsletter and be the first one who tries out our latest
recipes.
