Preheat the oven to 180°C/ 160°C fan/ gas mark 4/ 350°F
Line the base of the tin with a baking parchment circle. Grease the tin (if it needs it) with butter paper (or a little butter on kitchen paper)
Take ⅖ of the marzipan and roll it into a ball in your hands then flatten onto a prepared surfaceIf you use a silicone baking mat, then you don't need any extra icing sugar
Shape into a circle about the size of the tin, using your hands. Using a baking parchment circle as a template, roll the marzipan to fit. Cut off any excess
Using a baking parchment circle as a template, roll the marzipan to fit. Cut off any excess
Put the rest of the marzipan in the fridge to keep firm.
For the Orange Simnel Cake:
Put all the ingredients, except the marzipan, in a food processor or mixer and mix until well combined. Scrape down and briefly mix again(Butter, sugar, eggs, flour, ground almonds orange zest and juice, orange extract)
Spoon half the mixture into the cake tin. Place the marzipan circle over the cake mixture. Spoon the rest of the cake mixture over the marzipan and smooth, making a slight dip in the centre
Cook for 1 hour 15 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean of cake mixThe marzipan will stick to the skewer, so check carefully
Cool in the tin for 10 minutes then remove and put on a wire cooling rack
For the topping:
Using another ⅖ of the marzipan, make a second disc - as before, but cutting the edge more carefully
Divide the remaining marzipan into 11 and fashion each piece into a ball
Place the marzipan disc on top of the cake and crimp with your fingers if desired (or if the edges are ragged). Using a sharp knife, cut a diamond pattern into the marzipan
Position each ball around the edge of the cake
If you want a browned top, lightly brush beaten egg over the marzipan and put under a medium grill for a few minutes.
Video
Notes
EverydayCooks tips:
If your cake has dipped or peaked in the middle when it's cooked, put a piece of baking parchment or a clean tea towel on a cooling rack and turn the cake upside down as it cools in the tin. When you turn it out of the tin keep it upside down, and by the time it's cooled the top will usually be flat.
If your cake top is below the surface of the tin, run a palette knife round the sides to loosen first so that the cake drops
Storage: Orange Simnel Cake keeps for at least a week in an airtight container in a cool place