Cardamom and Rosewater Simnel Cake
A fragrant twist on the traditional Simnel cake, enriched with cardamom and rosewater, perfect for celebrating special occasions. This british-inspired desserts ready in about 100 minutes layers (312 g) all-purpose flour, baking powder, (227 g) unsalted butter, softened into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 370 calories and feeds 12, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups (312 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200 g) brown sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup (96 g) ground almonds
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) milk
- 1 1/2 cups (225 g) mixed dried fruit (currants, raisins, chopped apricots)
- 1 tsp ground cardamom
- 1 tbsp rosewater
- 7 oz (200 g) almond paste (marzipan)
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F and grease a 9-inch round cake pan, then line with parchment paper.
- Step 2: In a medium bowl, sift together 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp ground cardamom, and 1/4 tsp salt.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, cream 1 cup softened unsalted butter and 1 cup brown sugar with an electric mixer until pale and fluffy, about 4 minutes.
- Step 4: Beat in 3 large eggs one at a time, then mix in 1 tbsp rosewater and 1 tbsp orange zest.
- Step 5: Fold the dry ingredients and 1 cup ground almonds alternately with 1/4 cup milk into the butter mixture until just combined.
- Step 6: Stir in 1 1/2 cups mixed dried fruit gently.
- Step 7: Pour half the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the surface.
- Step 8: Roll out half of the 7 oz almond paste into a 7-inch circle and place it over the batter.
- Step 9: Cover with the remaining batter and smooth the top.
- Step 10: Bake for 60-70 minutes until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Step 11: Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
- Step 12: Roll out the remaining almond paste into a circle and place on top of the cooled cake, gently pressing it down.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cardamom and Rosewater Simnel Cake take to make?
Total time is about 100 minutes (30 min prep + 70 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Cardamom and Rosewater Simnel Cake?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cardamom and Rosewater Simnel Cake?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Cardamom and Rosewater Simnel Cake for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Cardamom and Rosewater Simnel Cake?
British desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
