Orange Blossom Simnel Cake with Spiced Almonds
A moist traditional Simnel cake flavored with orange blossom water and studded with spiced almonds, perfect for a celebratory Mother's Day dessert. This british-inspired desserts ready in about 80 minutes layers all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon 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 340 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 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 tbsp orange blossom water
- 1/2 cup slivered almonds
- 1 cup dried mixed fruit (raisins, currants, chopped apricots)
- 7 oz marzipan
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, beat 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter with 3/4 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- Step 3: Add 3 large eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in 1/2 cup milk and 1 tbsp orange blossom water.
- Step 4: Gradually fold the flour mixture into the wet ingredients until just combined. Stir in 1 cup dried mixed fruit and 1/2 cup slivered almonds.
- Step 5: Grease and flour an 8-inch round cake pan. Pour half the batter into the pan and smooth the surface.
- Step 6: Roll out half the 7 oz marzipan to a 7-inch round and place gently on top of the batter layer.
- Step 7: Pour the remaining batter over the marzipan layer and smooth. Bake for 50-60 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Step 8: Cool in pan 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Roll out remaining marzipan and place on top of cooled cake. Dust 2 tbsp powdered sugar over the marzipan before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Orange Blossom Simnel Cake with Spiced Almonds take to make?
Total time is about 80 minutes (20 min prep + 60 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 Orange Blossom Simnel Cake with Spiced Almonds?
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 Orange Blossom Simnel Cake with Spiced Almonds?
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 Orange Blossom Simnel Cake with Spiced Almonds 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 Orange Blossom Simnel Cake with Spiced Almonds?
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.
