All about Easter Simnel cake

Simnel cake is an Easter time light fruit cake, which has been eaten since the medieval times.

Our Simnel cakes are handmade in our community bakery by our small team of talented bakers.

Rich & sweet

They are rich and sweet and created with lemon rind, dried fruits, peel and marzipan. 

The 11 balls of marzipan on the top of each full cake are meant to depict Jesus’ disciples, minus Judas.

Some cakes will even have a ball in the middle to represent Jesus.

Lambert Simnel

It has also been said that it was invented by Lambert Simnel.

He claimed to be the Earl of Warwick, and made a bid for the English throne, with the backing of the House of York, in late 15th century.

But this is unlikely, as the Simnel cake appears in English literature prior to Lambert’s time.

Traditional treat

Whatever its origins, this traditional Easter treat is delicious and pairs perfectly with a cup of tea or coffee for elevenses or threeses!