Simnel Cake recipe

For the cake

• Preheat the oven to 150°C (130° fan) | 300F | gas.
• Grease and line an 18 cm | 7" round cake tin with greaseproof paper.
• Cut the marzipan into 1 cm | 0.5" cubes.
• Toss in a bowl with 2 tablespoons of flour.
• Sift the remaining flour into a large mixing bowl along with the baking powder and mixed spice.
• Add the butter, sugar, and eggs, beating thoroughly with an electric mixer until smooth, 3-4 minutes.
• Gently fold in the currants, sultanas, cherries, candied peel, ground almonds, milk, and citrus zest.
• Add the floured marzipan cubes and stir to incorporate thoroughly.
• Spoon the batter into the prepared cake tin.
• Cut out two 18 cm | 7" wide rounds of greaseproof paper, stack them on top of each other, and cut out a small 2.5 cm | 1" circle in the centre.
• Place the paper on top of the batter.
• Bake the cake for about 2.5-3 hours until risen and dry to the touch on top; a cake tester should come out clean from the centre.
• Remove the cake to a wire rack to cool. 9 Once cool, turn out from the tin.
• Horizontally cut in half with a serrated knife.
• Sit the bottom half on a cake stand.

For decoration 

• Divide the marzipan into three even pieces.
• Roll out two pieces on a work surface dusted with icing sugar into 20 cm | 8" rounds that are about 1 cm | 0.5" thick.
• Brush the top of the cake on the stand with some of the warmed apricot jam.
• Drape one marzipan round on top, pressing down gently to adhere.
• Cut away any overhanging marzipan with a serrated knife.
• Brush the top of the marzipan with more apricot jam before positioning the other cake half on top, pressing down gently to adhere.
• Brush the top of the cake with more apricot jam before draping the second marzipan round on top, smoothing it flat with your hand.
• Scallop the edges of the marzipan between your fingers and thumbs.
• Divide the remaining marzipan into 11 even pieces, rolling them into balls between your palms.
• Attach the marzipan balls to the top of the cake with a little apricot jam or water.
• Brown their tops with a chef's blowtorch; alternatively, you can brown them on a grilling tray under a hot grill.
• If desired, tie yellow decorative ribbon around the middle of the cake.
• Garnish with Easter flowers before serving.