Simnel Cake

Method

1. Line a 20cm/8” round deep cake tin with greaseproof paper.
2. Preheat oven to 140°C/275°F/Gas 1.
3. Sieve the nutmeg, spice and flour together.
4. In a large mixing bowl mix all the ingredients and beat with a wooden spoon until well mixed. This takes about 5 minutes.Place half the mixture into the prepared tin.
5. Roll out 1⁄3 of the almond paste to fit onto cake mixture. Cover with remaining mixture.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 3½-4 hours. Cover with greaseproof paper if getting too dark on top. Check at intervals after 2½ hours. Once baked, leave cake in tin to cool.

To Make Almond Paste

1. Mix dry ingredients together. Mix liquid ingredients together.
2. Add enough wet mixture to dry mixture to make a firm paste. Knead well to make a smooth paste.
3. Note: If you don’t want to make almond paste just use 3 x 250g packs of Shamrock Almond Marzipan.

To Decorate

1. Spread apricot jam on top of cake. Shape a further 1⁄3 of the almond paste to form a 20cms/8” round and place on top.
2. Shape remaining almond paste into 11 balls and arrange around top of paste.
3. Place under preheated grill for a minute or so to lightly toast.