Modern Simnel Loaf Cake

Ingredients

• 175g unsalted butter, softened 
• 175g caster sugar
• 3 large free-range eggs 
• 175g self-raising flour
• 2 tsp mixed spice
• 100g sultanas
• 2 tbsp apricot jam
• 250g marzipan, rolled into 11 balls

Method

1. Preheat your oven to 160°C. Grease and line a loaf tin.
2. Cream the butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then fold in the flour and mixed spice. Stir in the sultanas.
3. Pour half the batter into the tin, place 5 marzipan balls evenly spaced, and cover with the remaining batter.
4. Bake for 60-75 minutes. Once cooled, brush the top with apricot jam and decorate with the remaining 6 marzipan balls, then briefly return to the oven to brown the marzipan.

Serves 8-10 people