What is the name of the fruit cake traditionally eaten at Easter?
Simnel cake has been eaten since medieval times as both a rich, sweet treat and a symbolic ritual. The fruit cake is topped with eleven marzipan balls to represent the eleven apostles of Christ, minus Judas. Simnel cake is a light fruitcake that is an Easter classic and is often associated with Mother’s Day.
Why is it called Simnel cake?
The name simnel probably comes from the ancient Roman word simila, meaning fine flour. Around the 17th century, fancy simnel cakes came to be associated with springtime – they turn up in Mothering Sunday celebrations, Easter or the ‘day off’ from the religious fast of Lent known as Refreshment Sunday.
What is Simnel Sunday?
Filters. Mid-Lent Sunday; the fourth Sunday of Lent, exactly three weeks before Easter Sunday.
What’s the difference between Simnel cake and Christmas cake?
Like most British food eaten during winter and early spring, the Simnel cake contains lots of dried fruit, but it is much lighter than boozy Christmas cake and contains a layer or marzipan both on top and within, and is decorated with eleven marzipan balls, each symbolising Jesus’s disciples (minus the treacherous …
What are special Easter cakes called?
Simnel cake
Why does Simnel cake have marzipan in the middle?
A layer of homemade marzipan is baked into the middle of the cake and another layer is placed on the top along with 11 small balls of marzipan to represent the true apostles of Jesus. Apparently, Judas is omitted because he was a betrayer of Jesus.
Is almond paste the same as marzipan?
It can be confusing that recipes sometimes use the terms “almond paste” and “marzipan” interchangeably, as they are actually quite different. Almond paste has a coarser texture but is much softer than marzipan, which allows it to be spread as a filling. Unlike marzipan, almond paste holds up in baking.
Does Simnel cake keep?
Simnel cake will keep for up to 1 month if stored in an airtight container in a cool place.
How long can you keep a Simnel cake for?
The cake can be made up to a week ahaed but add the marzipan topping the day before serving. Once decorated, keep the cake in an airtight box in a cool place for 5 days.
What does Simnel cake taste like?
Since Gaskell’s day, simnel cake has changed a great deal. Now eaten at Easter, rather than in the middle of Lent, it tastes – and looks – quite different from how it did in the early 19th century. Although it is still a light, rich fruit cake, packed with raisins, sultanas and lemon zest, saffron is now rarely used.
How many calories are in a Simnel cake?
Calories: 546. Total carbs: 83 g. Sugars: 69 g.
Who invented Simnel cake?
Lambert Simnel
Why do we have Easter eggs?
The egg, an ancient symbol of new life, has been associated with pagan festivals celebrating spring. From a Christian perspective, Easter eggs are said to represent Jesus’ emergence from the tomb and resurrection.
How do you store Simnel cake?
Wrap the cake, without the marzipan topping, in a double layer of baking parchment (parchment paper) and a layer of foil and store it in an airtight container in a cool place.
What is the meaning of Simnel?
1 : a bun or bread of fine wheat flour. 2 British : a rich fruitcake sometimes coated with almond paste and baked for mid-Lent, Easter, and Christmas.
Can you freeze Easter cake?
If possible, I would wrap the cake on its board in a freezer bag and keep it frozen until the day before you want to serve it. …
What is marzipan fruit?
Marzipan, a nut paste, can be colored and sculpted to form beautifully realistic fruit decorations, such as oranges, lemons, or bananas. These fruits look beautiful on top of cakes, cupcakes, or tarts. You can make your own marzipan, or purchase it from most large grocery stores.