Method (Makes 1 unit – 12 portions)
Add the juice and zest of the two oranges to the mixed fruit and leave to soak for 1 hour.
Place the cake mix, ground almonds, water and oil into a bowl.
Mix together to form a smooth batter.
Add the fruit mixture and mix well.
Pour half of the cake batter into a deep round pre-lined 19cm (7½ inches) baking tin.
Roll out 150g of the marzipan into a 18cm (7 inches) round and place on top of the batter in the baking tin.
Pour over the remaining cake batter.
Smooth over the cake batter making a slight dip in the middle of the cake. (This will help produce a flatter cake)
Bake in the lower half of a pre-heated oven 160°C (320°F) gas mark 3-4 for approximately 90 minutes.
Allow the cake to cool before removing from the tin and place in the centre of the cake board.
Brush the top of the cake with warm apricot jam.
Weigh out 150g of the marzipan and roll out a circle to 19cm (7 ½ inches).
Place the circle of marzipan on top of the jam.
Divide the remaining marzipan in half, using one half to form 11 small balls and set round the edge using water.
Place under a preheated grill to brown slightly.
Divide the remaining piece of marzipan into 2 and roll each one into a long rope about 23cm (9 inches) long and twist round each other. Place the twisted marzipan around the bottom of the cake.
Decorate with fresh flowers in the middle and finish with ribbon round the top of the cake.
Once again thank U for U'r splendid publications. Sincerely yours,
Victor Godkin
In the late 17th century, girls in service brought a rich fruit cake called Simnel cake home to their mothers on the fourth Sunday of Lent. The cake was enriched with marzipan and decorated with 11 marzipan balls representing the 12 disciples minus Judas, as he was the one who betrayed Christ. Here endeth the history lesson – make of it what you will but do make this cake this Easter! Our Simnel cake is made with Carrot cake mix which holds the fruit beautifully and it is easily decorated with our foolproof recipe. Easter bunnies love carrots and people love carrot cake! Deb the Bread