Simnel Cake Recipe: Traditional Easter Fruit Cake

Simnel cake is one of Britain’s most recognisable Easter bakes, a rich fruit cake layered with marzipan and topped with eleven golden marzipan balls, representing the apostles (excluding Judas).

Unlike Christmas fruit cakes, Simnel cake is lighter in texture and flavour, making it perfect for spring. The combination of dried fruits, citrus notes, and soft almond sweetness gives it a distinctive character that has endured for centuries.

If you’d like to explore how this cake evolved from medieval times to its place in Easter traditions, read the full history here: The History and Origins of Simnel Cake.

Recommended Tools & Tips

A few simple tools can make preparing Simnel cake easier and more consistent:

A stand mixer or hand mixer helps cream the butter and sugar evenly, creating a lighter cake texture despite the richness of the fruit. I like using my KitchenAid Stand Mixer as it allows me to mix hands-free while preparing the other ingredients.

Use an 8×3 inch (20cm) Round Aluminium Cake Pan for this bake, as the deeper tin provides enough space for the batter and marzipan layer. Line it well with parchment, especially the base and sides, to prevent sticking.

I always use a Digital Kitchen Scale when baking, as it provides accurate measurements, which is especially important for fruit cakes to maintain the right balance in texture.

A Rolling Pin helps roll the marzipan evenly without tearing. Roll from the centre outwards, rotating frequently to maintain an even thickness. For a neat shape, place a round plate upside down on the marzipan and cut around it.

Use good-quality store-bought Marzipan with a higher almond content, as it gives a smoother, more pliable finish and better flavour. Making your own marzipan can be challenging due to food safety concerns from using fresh egg whites, as well as the risk of an inconsistent texture.

A pastry brush helps apply apricot jam evenly, ensuring the marzipan adheres neatly. I like using a Silicone Pastry Brush as it is easy to clean and can go straight into the dishwasher.

Storage & Serving Tips

Simnel cake improves in flavour after a day or two as the fruit settles.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 1 week, but bring to room temperature before serving.

It can also be frozen (without decoration) for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then decorate before serving.