Recipe

Traditional British Mothering Sunday Simnel Cake Recipe

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Ingredients

160 g butter .
1 pinch salt .
250 g sultanas .
160 g caster sugar .
1 large egg yolk, beaten lightly .
280 g currants .
200 ml milk, to mix .
3 large eggs .
1 tsp cinnamon .
Cake .
250 g ground almonds .
250 g plain flour .
3-4 tbsps orange juice .
1 tsp nutmeg .
400F g icing sugar, sifted .
5 drops almond essence .
Almond paste .
110 g mixed peel

Directions

Step #1 CHECK LIST: a sifter, spatula, nest of bowls, wooden spoon, food processor/blender or electric beater, baking paper, rolling pin, brown paper & twine, 24 cm round cake tin, thin metal skewer.
Step #2 STAGE 1.
Step #3 To make your own almond paste you will need a food processor/blender fitted with a steel blade.
Step #4 Don't be tempted to use store-bought almond paste because it contains lots of sugar & few almonds, it will turn to liquid under the grill.
Step #5 Place icing sugar & almonds in food processor/blender bowl.
Step #6 Process, slowly dripping in egg yolk, orange juice & almond essence.
Step #7 The mixture should form a pliable paste.
Step #8 Set aside a small portion for balls with which to decorate the cake.
Step #9 Roll out the remaining paste into 2 circles which are the approximate size of the tin.
Step #10 Set aside.
Step #11 STAGE 2.
Step #12 Preheat oven to 160°C/320°F.
Step #13 Use a sturdy non-stick cake tub or line the buttered base with baking paper.
Step #14 As the baking period is long (1-1 1/2 hrs), prevent the cake drying out by wrapping a double thickness of brown paper around the pan & securing it with twine.
Step #15 Sift flour, salt & spices together, then stir in the fruit & peel.
Step #16 Cream butter & sugar thoroughly until light & creamy then beat in eggs one at a time, until the mixture is fluffy.
Step #17 (Reserve a drop of egg yolk for brushing over top layer of almond paste.
Step #18 ).
Step #19 Stir flour & fruit into creamed mixture (you may need to add a little milk to give the mixture a dropping consistency).
Step #20 STAGE 3.
Step #21 Place half the mixture into a greased & lined cake tin.
Step #22 Place one pre-rolled round of almond paste over the top.
Step #23 Cover up with remaining cake mixture.
Step #24 Before baking the cake, give the pan of mixture a sharp tap on to a firm surface.
Step #25 This settles the mixture & prevents holes from forming in the cake.
Step #26 Bake in the centre of the oven for 1-1 1/4 hrs or until a thin metal skewer inserted in the centre of the cake comes out without a trace of stickiness.
Step #27 Level the cake by placing a weighted plate on top of the cooked cake while it is still hot.
Step #28 Turn out cake on to a wire rack after leaving it to settle in the cake tin for between 10 & 15 mins.
Step #29 Peel off paper & leave to cool completely.
Step #30 STAGE 4.
Step #31 Cover up the top of the cake with a second round of almond paste.
Step #32 Roll 11 small balls of paste & place evenly around the top of the cake.
Step #33 Brush the top this with a little beaten egg & very lightly brown under the grill until the almond paste turns light golden brown.
Step #34 Remove & leave to cool.
Enjoy the Traditional British Mothering Sunday Simnel Cake recipe

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Traditional British Mothering Sunday Simnel Cake Recipe

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