When I met @mydaddycooks on his Radio Show on BBC 3 Counties, he showed us his recipe for these Simnel Cakes, so I thought I'd give them a whirl with Jasper and Scarlett.


Having looked up the tradition, if you make a whole cake you are supposed to put 11 marzipan balls around the outside, to represent the disciples, with Judas having been removed.  Often Jesus is represented by a marzipan ball in the middle.   

These are similar but as individual muffins.  The recipe makes 10-12 Irrespective of the religious element of course, they are simply delicious, like a fruity spicy cake with an almond surprise :)


Ingredients:
100g Butter
100g Caster Sugar
2 eggs
150g Plain Flour
1/2 tsp Cinnamon
1/2 tsp grated Nutmeg
250g Chopped Dried Mixed Fruit (I used tropical)
Finely grated zest of half a lemon
100g marzipan rolled into 12 large balls


Method:
Preheat Oven to 180C/350F
In a food mixer or bowl, cream together the butter, sugar and lemon zest, until it is light and fluffy.
Add the two eggs.
Mix in the flour and spices.
Add the fruit.
Grease your muffin in if using, I used my silicone muffin cases, and spoon mixture in.
Sink a marzipan ball into each cake, making sure it is covered in mixture.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, but keep an eye that the cakes do not overcook on top!
Take the muffins out of the tin as soon as they come out of the oven.
Leave them to cool before eating (though mine simply couldn't wait of course)!


 


Enjoy, and thanks again to Nick Coffer for sharing :)


Annie x