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Home » All Recipes » Desserts, Puddings & Cakes » Mini Simnel Cakes (Gluten Free)

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Mini Simnel Cakes (Gluten Free)

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All the delicious flavours of a traditional Simnel Cake in an easy to make cupcake size, these Mini Simnel Cakes are also gluten free and have an exciting marzipan surprise inside!

All the delicious flavours of a traditional Simnel Cake in an easy to make cupcake size, these Mini Simnel Cakes are also gluten free and have an exciting marzipan surprise inside!

Gluten Free Mini Simnel Cakes

The impressive looking simnel cake, with its layers of fruitcake and marzipan, topped with lightly toasted marzipan balls has become synonymous with Easter, but did you know it was traditionally NOT an Easter treat at all, but a Mother’s Day cake?

Yep, that’s right – it used to be that young girls in domestic service would bake a simnel cake to take back home as a gift for their Mothers on Mothering Sunday, when they were traditionally given the day off.

Mini Simnel Cakes (Gluten Free)

Today though, this cake is very much seen as an Easter cake, topped with 11 marzipan balls to represent the 11 disciples (the original 12, minus Judas). Some simnel cakes also feature another ball of marzipan in the centre to represent Jesus.

But instead of making a big simnel cake this year, I thought it would be fun to make Mini Simnel Cakes – all the delicious flavours of a traditional big simnel cake in an easy to make format. These cupcake size simnel cakes could easily be made with children or for an Easter bake sale AND they have a rather fun surprise inside…a little ball of marzipan.

Hiding the Marzipan in my Mini Simnel Cakes

Of course if you wanted to, you could decorate these simnel cupcakes with a layer of marzipan (cut out with a pastry cutter) and then pop a ball of marzipan on top. But I thought it would be rather fun to hide the marzipan inside instead – and it’s super easy to do. Just fill the cupcake case half way up with cake mix, add a small ball of marzipan, and then cover with more cake mix.

These cute little cupcakes are also rather special as they are gluten free! Following on from the #FreeFromPancakes challenge last month, this month I have been challenged by the wonderful Free From Gang to create an Easter treat that is free from at least one allergen as part of the #FreeFromEaster challenge. You can find out more about the other #FreeFromEaster treats and Free From Gang bloggers at the end of this post.

Free From Fairy Flour

To make these yummy Mini Simnel Cakes gluten free, I used the rather fabulous Free From Fairy Self Raising Flour. Vicki, who blogs at The Free From Fairy, originally developed this flour for  her daughter, who was diagnosed with coeliac disease just before her third birthday. Vicki was concerned that her daughter was consuming a lot of rice in her diet (gluten free flours tend to contain rice flour). This was a particular concern as she had read lots of reports of rice containing low levels of arsenic. Not necessarily a problem if you occasionally consume rice, but if you are eating rice in some guise or other for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day, it becomes more of an issue.

Vicki, a scientist by background, turned her kitchen into a science lab, determined to create a flour that not only didn’t contain rice, but was also wholesome and nutritious and which worked as well as regular flour. A tall order, but she did it…and some!

Gluten Free Simnel Cupcakes

Vicki’s flour is amazing – made from a blend of teff, sorghum and buckwheat flours, it is a source of protein and fibre and works an absolute treat in these Mini Simnel Cakes. It works exactly like regular flour, you can literally substitute it directly in a recipe and one blend does everything (she has a plain flour for all your plain flour needs and a self raising flour for anything that needs self raising flour).

I was interested to see how Vicki’s gluten free flour compared to normal gluten-containing flour, so I made two batches of these simnel cakes, one with regular self raising flour and one with Vicki’s gluten free self raising flour and the comparison was quite interesting.

Mini Simnel Cakes

Texture-wise both bakes were very similar, the ones made with gluten free flour were maybe just a tad more crumbly (but nowhere near as crumbly as other gluten free flours I’ve come across) and taste-wise the gluten free cakes actually tasted better – I was expecting them to taste a bit healthy and wholemeal, but they didn’t at all – they had an extra richness and something I can only describe as extra yumminess – I was seriously impressed!

Of course if you don’t have a gluten allergy, you can absolutely make these little simnel cupcakes with regular flour too. It works well both ways (but I really recommend using Vicki’s flour anyway for that extra flavour dimension!!).

Mini Simnel Cakes

If you want to get your hands on these fab gluten free flours Vicki sells them on her website – you can buy Free From Fairy Flour here.

Mini Simnel Cakes

 

Gluten Free Mini Simnel Cakes
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5 from 12 votes

Mini Simnel Cakes (Gluten Free)

All the delicious flavours of a traditional Simnel Cake in an easy to make cupcake size, these Mini Simnel Cakes are also gluten free and have an exciting marzipan surprise inside!
Prevent your screen from going dark
Course Cake, Dessert, Pudding
Cuisine British
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 24 cupcakes
Calories 210kcal
Author Eb Gargano

Ingredients

Metric - US Customary
  • 200 g butter softened
  • 200 g light soft brown sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 200 g gluten free self raising flour (I used Free From Fairy)
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 75 g ground almonds
  • 250 g dried mixed fruit and peel (I used Tesco)
  • Juice and zest of 1 orange
  • 120 g Marzipan rolled into 24 little balls

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 180C / 160C fan/ gas mark 4 / 350F.
  • Beat the sugar and butter together.
  • Add the eggs one at a time and stir to combine.
  • Fold in the flour gently, then add the cinnamon, almonds, dried mixed fruit, orange juice and zest and stir to mix everything together, ensuring the dried mixed fruit is well distributed.
  • Place cupcake cases in a cupcake tray and put 1 tablespoon of mixture in each case. Roll the marzipan into 24 roughly equal balls and place one in each cupcake case.
  • Cover the marzipan balls with 1 teaspoon of the remaining cake mixture.
  • Place in your preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until golden on top.
  • Remove from the oven and, when cool enough to touch, transfer to a wire rack to cool completely – or eat whilst warm!

Notes

I use butter in these simnel cakes, but if you want to make these dairy free too, simply substitute with dairy free spread.
Nutrition information is approximate and meant as a guideline only.

Nutrition Facts
Mini Simnel Cakes (Gluten Free)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 210 Calories from Fat 90
% Daily Value*
Fat 10g15%
Saturated Fat 4g25%
Cholesterol 45mg15%
Sodium 84mg4%
Potassium 60mg2%
Carbohydrates 26g9%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 19g21%
Protein 3g6%
Vitamin A 260IU5%
Vitamin C 2.9mg4%
Calcium 30mg3%
Iron 0.5mg3%
* % Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet
Tried this recipe?I'd love to hear about it! Leave a review in the comments below.

 

Pin Mini Simnel Cakes for later

All the delicious flavours of a traditional Simnel Cake in an easy to make cupcake size, these Mini Simnel Cakes are also gluten free and have an exciting marzipan surprise inside! #glutenfree #marzipan #cupcakes #simnelcake #simnelcupcakes #simnel #mothersday #easter #eastercake #easterbaking #easybaking #easypeasyfoodie

 

And here’s what the rest of the fabulous Free From Gang have been making…

Chocolate Marshmallow Crispie Squares – Nathalie at The Intolerant Gourmand

Berry Breakfast Easter Nests – Emma at Free From Farmhouse

Quick Chocolate Cream Nests – Rebecca at Glutarama

Easter Rocky Road – Nova at Cherished By Me

Hot Cross Bun Chocolate Rolls – Vicki at The Free From Fairy

No Bake Creme Egg Biscuit Cake – Kate at Gluten Free Alchemist

Mini Eggs White Chocolate Fudge – Grace at Eats Amazing

 

And coming soon, exciting #FreeFromEaster treats from…

Laura at Dairy Free Kids

Mel at Le Coin De Mel

And if you like my Mini Simnel Cakes then do come back on Tuesday, when I will be sharing another #FreeFromEaster treat!

 

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Comments

  1. Mandy says

    24th March 2017 at 12:18 pm

    These sound seriously good Eb – I want to make them right now! Except I made flapjacks yesterday and have just made 18 fairy cakes for the school bake sale so that’s probably enough baked goods for now, right? Maybe tomorrow!

    Reply
    • Eb Gargano says

      24th March 2017 at 11:33 pm

      Definitely tomorrow! 😀 Thanks for the kind comments. Eb x

      Reply
  2. Vicki Montague says

    24th March 2017 at 1:58 pm

    What a lovely review! Thank you so much Eb…I am truly touched and so pleased you liked the flour so much. My mum who is able to eat gluten prefers to bake with my self raising flour as it gives better rise (due to double acting raising agents)!

    Reply
    • Eb Gargano says

      24th March 2017 at 11:35 pm

      You are welcome 🙂 It’s a great product…I expect to see it in all the major supermarkets before long 😀 I didn’t notice a significant difference in the rise, but the flavour was sooo much better 🙂 Eb x

      Reply
  3. Rebecca says

    24th March 2017 at 5:17 pm

    Loving these, so simple for the kiddies to make too. Oh! Hang on one moment! Tis Mothers Day this weekend, guess what Mummy wants…..

    Reply
    • Eb Gargano says

      24th March 2017 at 11:40 pm

      Hahaha – better leave my recipe open on your computer so they take the hint! This is a great recipe to make with kids…and my two really liked them…I wasn’t sure if they’d go for it (they are not big fans of raisins etc.), but they wolfed them down! And the secret marzipan centre was a big hit!! My son even asked if he could take one in for his teacher as she has a gluten allergy – bless him. Thanks for your lovely comments 🙂 Eb x

      Reply
  4. Laura says

    25th March 2017 at 11:11 am

    These look divine! I must make a df version with df margarine.

    Reply
    • Eb Gargano says

      27th March 2017 at 9:41 am

      Thanks Laura – let me know how it goes if you try it! 🙂 Eb x

      Reply
  5. Kate - gluten free alchemist says

    25th March 2017 at 12:58 pm

    Love these Eb. Perfect Easter flavours too. I hate using most commercial GF flour blends (which is why I generally blend my own mixes)….. most of them use way too much rice flour and are gritty and gross. So it is lovely to see Vicki’s alternative out there and good to see gluten-eaters using it too! Lovely review xx

    Reply
    • Eb Gargano says

      27th March 2017 at 9:44 am

      Thanks Kate – Vicki’s flour is great! Really nice and none of the dryness/grittyness you normally find in commercial blends. I imagine your own bespoke mixes are great too 🙂 Eb x

      Reply
  6. Monika Dabrowski says

    25th March 2017 at 7:16 pm

    I never had simnel cake before but these mini cakes sound delicious, sweet and fruity and I love the idea of hiding a marzipan ball inside! The perfect Easter treat:)

    Reply
    • Eb Gargano says

      27th March 2017 at 9:45 am

      You’ve never had simnel cake? Oh you have missed out – you have to try it! The flavours are amazing!! Eb x

      Reply
  7. Kat (The Baking Explorer) says

    26th March 2017 at 2:21 am

    I bet it is far too easy to much your way through several of these fab little cakes!

    Reply
    • Eb Gargano says

      27th March 2017 at 9:53 am

      Hahahaha – yep, me too! Eb x

      Reply
  8. Midge says

    26th March 2017 at 6:33 am

    These look lovely! We are big fans of Vicki’s flour too and your right it does add something extra to the taste!

    Reply
    • Eb Gargano says

      27th March 2017 at 9:56 am

      Thanks Midge…yeah, I know there is definitely an extra flavour dimension going on there isn’t there? And in a really good way! I was expecting it to taste a bit healthy and wholemeal but actually it’s more like an extra richness and yummyness. The regular gluteny ones were definitely not quite as delicious (they were still pretty good though!) Eb x

      Reply
  9. Angela / Only Crumbs Remain says

    26th March 2017 at 10:27 am

    Ooh these sound (& look) absolutely scrummy Eb. I love marzipan so having that little ball of yumminess nestled in the centre of them is a winner for me.
    It certainly sounds like I’m going to have to try some of Vicki’s flour after your side-by-side Eb. I have to confess that up until now when I bake with GF flours I just use the supermarket’s blend. It must have been somewhat alarming for Vicki (and other parents of children with gluten intolerances) to realise that rice contains arsenic (something that I only learnt a few short weels ago!)
    Angela x

    Reply
    • Eb Gargano says

      27th March 2017 at 10:00 am

      Oh yes, you should do a proper side-by-side Angela…mine was a bit impromptu! You would do it justice…I can imagine trying normal flour, Vicki’s flour and a regular GF flour from the supermarket would be fascinating! I don’t think the arsenic levels are very high…so for most people it’s probably not going to be an issue (or else rice would be banned, I would imagine!) But I think the problem is it can build up in the body over time and, if you are eating it a lot, that can cause a problem later down the line…Eb x

      Reply
  10. Sarah James @ Tales From The Kitchen Shed says

    26th March 2017 at 6:55 pm

    Delicious Eb, I love marzipan any time of the year. I tend to steer clear of gluten free flours as the ones I’ve tried in the past have been disappointing but I really like the sound of the flavours in Vicki’s flour.

    Reply
    • Eb Gargano says

      27th March 2017 at 10:02 am

      Oh you have to try Vicki’s flour – it’s so different from normal GF flours. It works brilliantly…almost the same texture as regular flour (a touch more crumbly, but not at all dry and a good rise) and the flavour is actually better! Eb x

      Reply
  11. Ohmummymia says

    27th March 2017 at 11:06 am

    I love it? something sweet and healthy. I’m gluten and dairy free so it’s another recipe for me which I will save ☺
    #brillblogposts

    Reply
    • Eb Gargano says

      28th March 2017 at 10:04 am

      Aw, thanks! Glad to have made a recipe that you can eat. Hope you enjoy them, if you make them! 🙂 Eb x

      Reply
  12. emma says

    27th March 2017 at 7:56 pm

    What a lovely idea. I love marzpan but I think I’ve only had Simnel cake once in my life!

    Reply
    • Eb Gargano says

      28th March 2017 at 9:50 am

      Aw, thanks! Oh if you are a marzipan fan then you have to make these Emma! They are easy to do – great to make with the kids – and that yummy marzipan centre…! 😀 Eb x

      Reply
  13. Nico @ yumsome says

    29th March 2017 at 5:29 pm

    Weirdly enough, I was thinking of making mini simnel cakes, but covered in marzipan with wee balls on top… your idea is so much more sensible and do-able, Eb! LOL!

    Reply
    • Eb Gargano says

      30th March 2017 at 9:18 am

      That was actually my original plan, but then I got the idea of hiding the marzipan inside the cupcakes and thought that would be even more fun! Plus it’s even quicker and easier 😀 Eb x

      Reply
  14. Helen Costello says

    30th March 2017 at 12:02 am

    I bet the marzipan is such a wonderful treat in the centre of these super cute cakes! Simnel cake is one of my favourite bakes of the year. Thanks so much for joining in with #bakeoftheWeek

    Reply
    • Eb Gargano says

      30th March 2017 at 9:29 am

      Aw, thanks Helen – the marzipan centre is a very lovely treat! Eb x

      Reply
  15. Jenny Paulin says

    30th March 2017 at 11:32 am

    Eb I am so sorry that I completely forgot to comment on your little cakes! I retweeted them but never popped over to see them properly. I am so sorry about that *slaps wrists*
    I love marzipan in baking and I love how you have adapted such a classic Easter inspired recipe to maker something unique and delicious.
    Thank you for linking to #Bakeoftheweek x

    Reply
    • Eb Gargano says

      30th March 2017 at 12:51 pm

      Hahaha – don’t worry…thanks for popping over now though! Marzipan is fab, isn’t it? And it is so fun finding the secret ball of marzipan inside 🙂 My kids couldn’t get enough of these…and they usually don’t like dried fruit!! Eb x

      Reply
  16. Honest Mum says

    30th March 2017 at 11:46 am

    These look utterly perfect. Yay for the Free From Fairy Flour too which is brilliant! x

    Reply
    • Eb Gargano says

      30th March 2017 at 12:54 pm

      Aw, thanks sweetie – they are super yummy. And yes, Vicki’s flour is totally fab!! Eb x

      Reply
  17. Mel says

    1st April 2017 at 2:01 pm

    I’ve never had Simnel cake but I love Marzipan and your little cakes look perfect in every way! I’d love to try one of these babies with a cuppa!

    Reply
    • Eb Gargano says

      3rd April 2017 at 9:42 am

      Oh you have to try simnel cake…it’s amazing! And the little balls of marzipan in the middle go so well…rather wishing I had some to eat right now!! Eb x

      Reply
  18. Cherished By Me says

    4th April 2017 at 4:57 pm

    I was so sold at the marzipan but they look amazing too! What a great idea and a treat to find a ball of marzipan inside. Mmmm, another recipe to get the children baking for Easter!

    Reply
    • Eb Gargano says

      5th April 2017 at 9:45 am

      Haha…I know what you mean. Marzipan is sooo good! And it is lots of fun to find a little ball of marzipan inside. Lots of fun for kids to make too! Eb x

      Reply
  19. Annie says

    28th April 2019 at 11:56 am

    Hello
    I wanted to let you know that I made these delicious buns yesterday and my family loved them. So pleased to have found a gluten free sweet bun recipe which doesn’t actually taste like it’s gluten free!
    Thank you

    Reply
    • Eb Gargano says

      29th April 2019 at 8:12 am

      Hi Annie. Thanks so much for this lovely comment – I am so pleased you enjoyed this recipe! Eb 🙂

      Reply

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Hi and welcome to Easy Peasy Foodie! I’m Eb – a professional blogger, busy mum and passionate foodie and it is my mission in life to make cooking EASIER and MORE DELICIOUS! READ MORE

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