simnel cake - how far in advance to I have to make it?

[ethelb]

Can I make it this w/e?

If so do I leave the grilled marzipan topping until the day before or do I do it now?

Is it better to leave it to mellow for a week or two or better to do it just before?

No one's answered you !!I wouldn't make it now unless I froze it. I s'pose if it's VERY fruity and alcoholic you could risk it like xmas cake but the normal lightly fruited cakes would be off before easter.

If you do freeze it; defrost gently for at least a couple of days to make sure the marzipan in the middle is completely defrosted and decorate with the topping of marzipan when its ready I put ready made silver or gold little choc eggs for decoration on it!. (I LOVE Simnel cake)

Cheers, I just saw it was traditional for girls to make it the week before mother's day, to test how good they were at cooking a cake that would stay moist for a week

I will do one next week!

Anyone goot a good recipe? I have done Delia but it is a bit dry tbh.

IMO hers is probably the best, do you wrap it in greaseproof and keep in a tin ? Also maybe put more sultanas in or more marzipan in the centre than she says or make the mixture wetter and the marz. yrself a bit wetter? or cook for less time at a bit lower temp. (I never use the oven fan when cooking cakes BTW) !

Yes I know about the Mother's Day tradition I looked at the date of yr post and thought as it was afterwards you were going to make it for easter which is okay as well isn't it?