Name: Simnel cakes
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 65 min
Yield: 12
Ingredients: 125 gram butter, chopped, room temperature; 1/2 cup brown sugar; 1 tablespoon golden syrup; 1 egg, plus 1 egg yolk extra; 1/4 cup orange juice; 2 cup self-raising flour; 1 teaspoon mixed spice; 2 1/3 cup mixed dried fruit; 2 tablespoon apricot jam, warmed; Icing; 2 2/3 cup icing sugar mixture, sifted; 3/4 cup almond meal; 2 tablespoon brandy; 1 egg yolk; 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Simnel cakes

British in origin, the simnel cake is mostly enjoyed during Easter. These Woman's Day muffin sized versions are jam-packed with fruit and spice, and just the perfect amount of brandy.

Serves 12

Prep

30M

Cook

35M

Total

1H 5M

Ingredients

125 gram butter, chopped, room temperature

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 tablespoon golden syrup

1 egg, plus 1 egg yolk extra

1/4 cup orange juice

2 cup self-raising flour

1 teaspoon mixed spice

2 1/3 cup mixed dried fruit

2 tablespoon apricot jam, warmed

Icing

2 2/3 cup icing sugar mixture, sifted

3/4 cup almond meal

2 tablespoon brandy

1 egg yolk

1 tablespoon lemon juice

Method

1.Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan forced). Grease a 12-hole muffin pan. Line bases and sides with baking paper.

2.ICING: Combine all ingredients. Turn onto clean surface and knead gently. Wrap in plastic wrap. Set aside.

3.Beat butter, sugar and syrup together until pale and creamy. Add egg, yolk and juice. Beat well. Sift flour and spice together and fold through mixture with fruit.

4.Spoon into muffin pan recesses until half full. Smooth top. Roll out 1/3 of icing on a surface dusted with icing sugar, until 3mm thick.

5.Using a 6cm cutter, cut 12 circles from icing. Place on fruit mixture in recesses. Cover discs with remaining fruit mixture.

6.Bake 10 minutes. Reduce oven to 150°C. Bake for a further 15-20 minutes, until cooked when tested. Cool in pan.

7.Turn cakes onto clean surface. Brush tops with warm jam. Roll out remaining icing until 3mm thick. Using a 7cm cutter, cut out another 12 circles. Place on top of cakes and smooth with the palm of your hand.

8.Roll remaining icing mixture into balls. Arrange on top of cakes. Decorate with ribbon.