Honey Almond Simnel Cake with Spiced Orange Zest
A moist, almond-flavored Simnel cake enriched with honey and spiced orange zest, perfect for a heartfelt Mother’s Day celebration. This british-inspired desserts ready in about 75 minutes layers all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground almonds 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 410 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 tsp baking powder
- 1 cup ground almonds
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tbsp orange zest
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/2 cup whole blanched almonds
- 7 oz marzipan
- 1/4 cup apricot jam
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 9-inch round cake pan with parchment paper.
- Step 2: In a medium bowl, sift together 2 cups all-purpose flour and 1 tsp baking powder. Stir in 1 cup ground almonds, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, cream 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter with 3/4 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in 3 large eggs one at a time, then add 1/4 cup honey and 2 tbsp orange zest.
- Step 4: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with 1/4 cup milk, mixing until just combined.
- Step 5: Fold in 1/2 cup whole blanched almonds.
- Step 6: Pour half of the batter into the prepared cake pan. Roll out half of the 7 oz marzipan into a circle about 8 inches in diameter and place it on top of the batter layer.
- Step 7: Cover with the remaining batter and smooth the surface. Bake for 50-55 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Step 8: Warm 1/4 cup apricot jam and brush over the top of the warm cake. Roll out remaining marzipan and place on top, lightly pressing to adhere. Optionally, toast the marzipan under a broiler for 2 minutes until lightly golden.
- Step 9: Allow cake to cool completely before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Honey Almond Simnel Cake with Spiced Orange Zest take to make?
Total time is about 75 minutes (20 min prep + 55 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 Honey Almond Simnel Cake with Spiced Orange Zest?
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 Honey Almond Simnel Cake with Spiced Orange Zest?
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 Honey Almond Simnel Cake with Spiced Orange Zest 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 Honey Almond Simnel Cake with Spiced Orange Zest?
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.
