Description
Simnel Cake Cupcakes are a festive twist on the traditional British Easter cake, featuring spiced fruit cake with a hidden marzipan center and a toasted marzipan topping. These individual treats are perfect for spring celebrations and afternoon tea.
Ingredients
- 150g unsalted butter (softened)
- 150g light brown sugar
- 3 eggs
- 150g self-raising flour
- 50g ground almonds
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp mixed spice
- 200g dried mixed fruit (raisins, sultanas, currants, chopped mixed peel)
- Zest of 1 lemon or orange
- 2–3 tbsp milk (as needed)
- 200g marzipan (for filling and topping)
- 2 tbsp apricot jam (warmed, for glazing)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 160°C (320°F) and line a 12-hole muffin tin with paper cupcake cases.
- Cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Fold in flour, ground almonds, cinnamon, and mixed spice.
- Stir in dried fruit and citrus zest. Add a splash of milk if the batter is too thick.
- Divide half the batter into the cupcake cases.
- Roll marzipan into 12 small flat discs (about 1–1.5 inch diameter) and place one in the center of each cupcake.
- Spoon remaining batter over marzipan to cover.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes until golden and a skewer (inserted off-center) comes out clean. Cool completely.
- Roll out remaining marzipan and cut 12 circles to fit cupcake tops. Roll remaining marzipan into 12 small balls.
- Brush cupcake tops with warm apricot jam and place marzipan discs on top.
- Top each cupcake with one marzipan ball.
- Lightly toast marzipan using a kitchen torch or under a broiler until golden. Watch closely to prevent burning.
Notes
Add glace cherries or chopped dried apricots for variety.Substitute orange zest with lemon or use a mix of both.Omit the marzipan center for a lighter version.Use almond extract for a more intense almond flavor.Decorate with buttercream in addition to marzipan for a modern touch.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 27g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
