Cardamom-Spiced Simnel Cake with Candied Fruit Glaze
A moist and fragrant British-inspired Simnel cake with ground almonds and candied fruit, gently spiced with warm cardamom—a perfect treat for Mother’s Day. This british-inspired desserts ready in about 95 minutes layers all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cardamom 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 450 calories and feeds 8, 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 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground cardamom
- 1 cup (2 sticks), softened unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup ground almonds
- 1/4 cup whole milk milk
- 1/2 cup chopped candied mixed peel
- 8 oz, divided marzipan
- 1/4 cup warmed for glaze apricot jam
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease and line a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper.
- Step 2: In a medium bowl, sift together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp ground cardamom, and 1/2 tsp salt.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, cream 1 cup softened unsalted butter with 1 cup granulated sugar until pale and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Step 4: Beat in 4 large eggs one at a time, then stir in 1 tsp vanilla extract.
- Step 5: Fold in the flour mixture alternately with 1 cup ground almonds and 1/4 cup whole milk until just combined.
- Step 6: Stir in 1/2 cup chopped candied mixed peel.
- Step 7: Pour half the batter into the prepared pan. Roll out half of the 8 oz marzipan into a circle slightly smaller than the pan and place on top of the batter.
- Step 8: Pour the remaining batter over the marzipan layer and smooth the surface.
- Step 9: Bake for 60-70 minutes until a skewer inserted comes out clean. Remove from oven and let cool for 15 minutes.
- Step 10: Roll out the remaining marzipan into a circle to fit the top of the cake. Spread 1/4 cup warmed apricot jam over the cake top, then place the marzipan circle on it.
- Step 11: Brush the marzipan with more apricot jam to glaze and place the cake under a broiler for 2-3 minutes or until the marzipan is lightly golden. Cool completely before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cardamom-Spiced Simnel Cake with Candied Fruit Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 95 minutes (25 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-Spiced Simnel Cake with Candied Fruit Glaze?
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-Spiced Simnel Cake with Candied Fruit Glaze?
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-Spiced Simnel Cake with Candied Fruit Glaze for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). 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-Spiced Simnel Cake with Candied Fruit Glaze?
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.
