Simnel cake

01 / ABOUT THE DISH

About the dish

Simnel cake is an English dessert that is traditionally prepared during the Easter festivities. The base is made with flour, butter, sugar, eggs, and (sometimes) milk. Once prepared, the batter is combined with dried fruit such as currants, sultanas, and candied peel. The combination is flavored with orange zest, lemon zest, and mixed spices such as saffron, nutmeg, allspices, ginger, and cinnamon. There is also one layer of marzipan in the center of the cake and one on top of it, and once it has been baked, simnel cake is decorated with 11 marzipan balls/eggs on top, representing the apostles (minus Judas, of course). Before serving, simnel cake should be left to cool down. This rich, fruity cake dates back to medieval times, and the name is believed to come from simila , a Latin word meaning fine wheat flour . It is associated with Mothering Sunday (the fourth Sunday of Lent), when servants were allowed to leave and visit their homes or churches.