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simnel cake

[ sim-nl ]

noun

, Chiefly British.
  1. any of several kinds of rich fruitcake covered with almond paste.


simnel cake

/ ˈsɪmnəl /

noun

  1. a fruit cake containing a layer of marzipan, often coloured with saffron and topped with marzipan, traditionally eaten at Lent or Easter
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of simnel cake1

1830–40; simnel, Middle English simenel < Old French, ultimately < Latin simila or Greek semídālis fine flour
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Word History and Origins

Origin of simnel cake1

C13 simenel, from Old French, from Latin simila fine flour, probably of Semitic origin; related to Greek semidalis fine flour
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Example Sentences

It’s also a traditional covering for simnel cake – Felicity Cloake’s recipe offers both marzipan instruction and the option to buy the stuff ready-made.

That's why one tradition of Mothering Sunday was the simnel cake.

From BBC

My Mum's @instagram account was deactivated for posting this Easter Simnel cake.

There’s a reason and a story behind the traditions of our tables this weekend: the 11 balls of marzipan on top of simnel cake, say, the mark on top of a hot cross bun and the sacrifice of the lamb.

As far as cake goes, Easter, again, beats Christmas hands down: simnel cake and the unimaginatively named Christmas cake are cousins of a sort, but simnel cake is tastier and easier to bake to boot.

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