Simnel cake

Originally, this cake was made for Mothering Sunday, but it has for a long, long time been an essential Easter confection, the marzipan balls on top representing the apostles: eleven in total as, for understandable reasons, Judas is persona non grata. I make this a very light fruit cake, totally different in taste and texture from the damp, dark offerings of Christmas. For US cup measures, use the toggle at the top of the ingredients list.

Simnel Cake - a British Easter tradition. A light fruitcake with a layer of marzipan baked into the centre, then topped with a traditional marzipan decoration.

Mary Berry's traditional Easter Simnel cake is one for marzipan and fruitcake lovers alike.

A good simnel cake recipe is a must-have for Easter. This cake, from Jamie magazine, is spiked with Scotch whisky, and packed with currants, stem ginger and mixed peel.

A classic easter bake, Simnel Cake. Full of fruit and flavour, with marzipan on top and inside... delicious!

Updated 20/11/2023 Clearing Confusion My dear chums, it's high time we clear up some confusion surrounding Mother's Day and Mothering Sunday. Brace yourselves, as I'm about to drop some earth-shattering knowledge. Would you believe it if I told you that these two events are not, in fact, the same thing? That's right, old bean - Mothering Sunday is actually a Christian holiday celebrated by many denominations across Europe, and it always falls on Lent's fourth Sunday. The Jolly Celebration…

Learn how to make this light yet moist fruit cake layered with easy homemade marzipan in the middle and the top and decorated with 11 marzipan balls for Easter the easy way.

Packed with all the usual simnel cake ingredients like fruit and warming spices, the history of this cake makes it traditionally eaten in spring time usually at Easter. Unlike a traditional round Simnel cake, this traybake version is rectangular in shape making it ideal to cut into bite sized pieces and shared with friends. We’ve used mini eggs to decorate ours, but you can opt for traditional marzipan balls if you like. This cake goes perfectly with a cup of tea.

Our easy simnel cake recipe is made in a loaf tin to keep things nice and easy. It’s delicious served warm, too, topped with apricot jam. Try it for a special Easter weekend treat. Now, check out this chocolate simnel cake made with sour cherries and hazelnuts. Or, if you need to go wheat-free, we also have a gluten-free simnel cake recipe, by Becky Excell.

A lovely Easter fruit cake with marzipan layers and topped with 11 symbolic marzipan balls.