Simnel Cake Recipe With Mincemeat
Introduction
Simnel cake is a traditional English fruit cake, usually served during Easter. It is usually made with a layer of almond paste in the center, and is decorated with 11 marzipan balls to represent the 12 apostles (minus Judas). Simnel cake is often filled with mincemeat, a mixture of dried fruit, spices, and suet or butter. This recipe adds a flavorful twist to the traditional Simnel cake by adding mincemeat in the center, along with the almond paste.
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar, packed
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup chopped candied fruit
- 1/2 cup currants
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
For the almond paste:
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
For the mincemeat filling:
- 1 cup mincemeat
- 1/2 cup currants
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1/2 cup chopped candied fruit
- 1/4 cup brandy (optional)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
For the marzipan topping:
- 14 ounces almond paste
- 1/4 cup apricot jam
Instructions
Making the Cake
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9-inch (23 cm) round cake pan with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk. Stir in the candied fruit, currants, and raisins, and chopped nuts (if using).
Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes before turning out onto a cooling rack. Let cool completely before assembling the cake.
Making the Almond Paste
In a medium bowl, mix together the almond flour, sugar, egg, almond extract, and butter until a thick paste is formed. Set aside.
Making the Mincemeat Filling
In a medium bowl, mix together the mincemeat, currants, raisins, candied fruit, brandy (if using), ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Stir until well combined. Set aside.
Assembling the Cake
Cut the cake in half horizontally. Spread the mincemeat filling over the bottom half of the cake. Place the almond paste on top of the mincemeat, then cover with the remaining cake half.
Roll out the almond paste into a circle large enough to cover the top and sides of the cake. Place the almond paste on top of the cake and press down lightly to seal. Trim off any excess.
Bake the cake for 10 minutes. Let cool completely before decorating.
Decorating the Cake
Roll out 11 equal-sized balls of marzipan and place them around the top edge of the cake. Place the remaining ball of marzipan in the center.
Melt the apricot jam in a small saucepan over low heat. Brush the melted jam all over the marzipan to glaze, then let cool.
Nutrition
This recipe for Simnel Cake with Mincemeat makes one 9-inch (23 cm) cake, which serves 16-20 people. Each serving contains approximately:
- 335 calories
- 13 g fat
- 48 g carbohydrates
- 4 g protein
- 2 g fiber
- 108 mg sodium
Conclusion
Simnel cake is a classic English fruit cake that is traditionally served during Easter. This recipe adds a flavorful twist by adding mincemeat to the center, along with almond paste. The cake is then decorated with marzipan, creating a beautiful and delicious dessert. This recipe is sure to be a hit at your next holiday gathering!
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