Easter Simnel Cake

Simnel cake is a classic British Easter fruitcake decorated with 11 marzipan balls on top to symbolize Jesus' apostles sans Judas. You can use almond paste or marzipan for this recipe - whatever's available in your local store. The basic difference between the two is that marzipan is almond paste with egg white.

Ingredients

• 1 lb. marzipan or almond paste
• Powdered sugar
• 3/4 Cup butter, softened
• 1 Cup light brown sugar
• 3 large eggs, room temperature, plus 1 lightly beaten egg
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 Teaspoon fresh grated lemon zest
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 Teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 1 Teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 Cup candied cherries, rinsed, patted dry, coarsely chopped
• 1 Cup golden raisins
• 1 Cup currants
• 3 tablespoons apricot jam

Directions

• Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Grease an 8-inch spring-form pan. Line the bottom and sides of the pan with parchment paper. Grease parchment paper in pan.
• Prepare marzipan: Portion marzipan into thirds. Roll out 1/3 of the marzipan on a surface heavily dusted with powdered sugar. Make an 8-inch marzipan circle and set aside. Repeat process with another 1/3 of the marzipan to make another 8-inch circle. Roll the remaining 1/3 of marzipan into 11 little balls. Cover all marzipan pieces with plastic wrap until ready to use so it doesn't dry out.
• Beat together butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in 3 eggs one at a time until incorporated. Add milk and mix until incorporated. Then add lemon juice and zest and beat well. Sift together dry ingredients and toss with fruit until coated. Stir floured fruit into mixture and mix until completely blended.
• Pour a little over half of the mixture into prepared pan. Gently place a marzipan circle on top of batter in pan. Spoon remaining batter on top of marzipan circle and level surface by smoothing with a spoon.
• Bake for about 2 hours or until golden brown and knife inserted into cake comes out clean. Cool completely and remove pan collar.
• Melt apricot jam in a small microwave-safe bowl; stir until smooth. Brush top of cake with melted jam. Place remaining 8-inch marzipan circle on top of cake. Brush marzipan with lightly beaten egg. Arrange 11 marzipan balls on top of marzipan around perimeter of cake. Brush marzipan balls with egg white as well.
• Preheat broiler. Place cake under broiler until almond paste is golden brown. Remove from heat, cool a bit and serve.

  Makes about 12 to 15 servings