Simnel Cake

Simnel is a traditional British cake made during Lent, and for a while became associated with the fourth Sunday of that period – Mothering Sunday. Many years ago, young women away from home, probably in service, were allowed home to visit their parents on that day, and would take this cake with them as a gift. It’s basically a rich fruit cake baked with a layer of marzipan running through it, and topped with almond paste too. Traditionally it is then garnished with eleven small marzipan bal