Happy Easter! Last year I posted a recipe for simnel cupcakes, which was my version of the traditional Easter Simnel Cake. Simnel cakes were made for mothers by their daughters for Easter, so get baking Ellie and Katy! My cupcake version is really simple, and the joy of amaretto soaked fruit combined with marzipan is honestly worth doing. There is very little that doesn’t translate well in to a cupcake, although probably not liver pate, although my dog Lily would definitely disagree with that! Bake these for Easter, or just because you can, they really are worth it!
You will need: 225 g unsalted butter, softened, 225 g sugar, 4 eggs, 225 g plain flour, 120 g sultanas, 120 g currants , 220g chopped fresh dates, Amaretto liquer (optional, grated zest of 2 oranges, grated zest of 2 lemons, 2 tsp ground cinnamon, 2 tablespoons sour cream (or plain yoghurt, or buttermilk), 250 g almond paste, cut in half – half rolled in to small balls, other half cut in to fine slices, 24 cake cases
For the icing: 400g icing sugar, 200g unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon almond essence
Place all the fruit in a bowl with enough amaretto to cover the top
Pre-heat oven to 180°C /160oC Fan/Gas 4.
- Place the butter, sugar, eggs, flour, orange zest, lemon zest and cinnamon in a food processor and whizz until blended
- Strain the fruit but keep the amaretto
- Add the fruit and the sour cream to the cake mixture and stir well
Place a teaspoon full of the mixture at the bottom of each cake case
- Add a slice of marzipan
- Top with a remaining spoon of mixture so that the marzipan is coverd
Place in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes until risen and golden brown. Remove from the oven and immediately prick all over with a cocktail stick.
Add a teaspoon of amaretto to the top of each cake so that it soaks in. Allow to cool
Whilst the cakes are cooling, throw the icing ingredients in to a food processor and blend until smooth.
Ice each cake with a swirl of almond icing and place a marzipan ball on top
These little cakes are so delicious, the idea is that you bite in to them and then hot the secret layer of marzipan. they are far too good to save just for Easter time.
The Bombay Boys 