Simnel Cake

Traditionally, this cake is served at Easter, and the marzipan spheres are said to represent the Apostles. There are only eleven as Judas is best forgotten at this time of year.

Difficoltà

Media

Tempo

125 min

Autore

Kenwood

Ingredienti

Porzioni

10

Makes

1 cake

For the fruit

60

225

115

100

55 , finely chopped

2 , zest of

For the marzipan

500 , natural colour

20

For the cake batter

225 , cubed, at room temperature

225

4 , lightly beaten

225

2.5

25

0.5

0.5

0.5

For the decoration

30

Utensili

1 Round tin 20 cm (8"), 1 Saucepan large, 1 Saucepan small, 1 Sieve, KMX760YG, KVL85.004SI, KWL90.004SI, K-Beater

Istruzioni

Step 1

Grease the tin and line with parchment paper.
Attach the K-Beater to the Mixer bowl.

Step 2

Add brandy, fruits, candied peel and lemon zest into a saucepan.
Heat until just below boiling.
Set aside to cool and fruits to absorb the liquid.

Step 3

Place marzipan onto a work surface.
Lightly dust the marzipan with icing sugar.
Knead until pliable.
Break off 100 g of the marzipan.
Using a rolling pin, roll into a circle shape and cut out a 20 cm circle.
Break another 100 g off and repeat – so that you have two circles.
Roll the remaining marzipan into a rope shape 55 cm long.
Cut into 11 pieces.
Roll each into small equal sized balls.
Set aside.

Step 4

Preheat the oven to 160°C.
Add butter and sugar to the Mixer bowl.
Attach the Mixer bowl to the machine and fit the splashguard.
Mix on speed Max for 1 minute.
Scrape the sides of the bowl with spatula.
Mix on speed Max for 1 minute until pale and fluffy.

Step 5

While the machine is running, gradually add beaten eggs into the Mixer bowl.
Start the machine on speed 2 and gradually increase speed.
Mix on speed 4 for 1 minute.
Scrape the sides of the bowl with spatula.
Mix on speed 4 for 1 minute until combined.

Step 6

Add flour, baking powder, almonds and spices into the Mixer bowl.
Mix on speed 1 for 20 seconds.
Mix on speed Max for 20 seconds until combined.
Scrape the sides of the bowl with spatula.

 

Transfer the contents of the saucepan into the Mixer bowl.
Mix on speed Max for 20 seconds.
Place half of the mixture into the cake tin and smooth the surface.
Lay one marzipan circle onto the cake mixture and gently press down.
Add the other half of the cake mixture and smooth the surface.
Bake at 160°C for 1 hour 30 minutes or until skewer inserted comes out clean.
Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes.
Transfer to a wire rack for 5 minutes to cool completely.

Step 7

Remove the cake from the tin.
Add apricot jam in a small saucepan.
Place over a low-medium heat until warm until runny.
Pass the jam through a sieve.
Use a pastry brush to coat the top of the cake with warm jam.
Place the remaining marzipan circle on top and press down firmly.
Decorate the top with marzipan balls using the remaining boiled jam as a glue to stick them.
Use a blowtorch gently to caramelise the marzipan.

 

Serve