Bert Swope
After a filling Easter dinner, everyone loves something sweet to celebrate the holiday. If you’re baking something special for the occasion, here are our top picks – easy-to-make and deliciously yummy.
Simnel cake is the ideal traditional Easter dessert. It’s a dense fruitcake that’s delicately flavored with dried fruits and spices, finished off with marzipan decorations.
Simnel Cake
Simnel cake is a lighter version of the classic Christmas fruitcake, typically studded with dried fruits and candied peels. Its decorations include marzipan balls in both the middle and on top – said to represent the 11 apostles (minus Judas).
Simnel cakes were first developed in England around 1600 and quickly gained popularity as an Easter treat. At that time, bakers could charge a farthing for these delicious treats.
This fruit cake takes its name from the Latin for “fine flour,” and legend has it that Lambert Simnel, a baker employed in King Henry VII’s kitchens, invented it. Nowadays, this treat for Easter remains popular and can be found in many restaurants throughout the US.
Simnel cake is typically made with sultanas and rum-soaked currants; however, some versions include other dried fruits, such as raisins for extra texture. For a festive touch, decorate the cake with toasted marzipan balls for extra visual interest.
This delectable, low-calorie treat makes an ideal Easter snack for children. Not only is it gluten-free and dairy-free, but also packed with essential vitamins and minerals.
Some recipes call for whole meal spelt flour, which provides added fiber and B vitamins. It helps keep the cake moist and spongy.
Other variations of this classic British dessert use saffron and other spices, creating a golden-colored crust. The dough is sometimes coated with marzipan before baking and decorated with flowers.
Simnel cake has become a beloved treat on Mother’s Day and Easter Sunday, often served with coffee or tea. Not only is it an indulgence for yourself, but also makes an ideal gift for friends or family members.
On Mothering Sunday, which falls during Lent, mothers traditionally receive cakes as gifts. Nowadays, however, many stores keep the treats until Easter because once boiled and baked, they remain fresh for an extended period.
Battenberg Cake
The Battenberg Cake, also known as Domino Cake, Church Window Cake or Neapolitan Roll, has become an iconic symbol of Englishness with its delightful checkerboard sponge cake interior and jam-laced marzipan wrapping that make it suitable for both special occasions and tea time.
This delicious cake comprises two types of sponge cake arranged in a checkered pattern and sandwiched with apricot jam before being covered with homemade marzipan. It’s the perfect treat to enjoy during Eastertime!
A classic Battenberg Cake consists of yellow and pink sponge cakes stacked in a checkered pattern encircled by marzipan. Apricot jam helps bind the layers together, while marzipan is the glue that holds everything in place.
For a vegan version of the Battenberg Cake, use a recipe that substitutes vegan chocolate for vanilla. This cake should be consumed within one or two days but can also be frozen for up to one month.
You can bake your cake in any regular baking tin if you don’t own a Battenberg Cake pan. Once it has cooled, cut each square into four equal pieces to create four bars.
Though its origins remain uncertain, it is believed to have been created in 1884 to commemorate Princess Victoria and Prince Louis of Battenberg’s wedding. However, some sources dispute this assertion and numerous other variations of the tale behind this delicious treat.
The popular belief is that the four sections of this cake symbolize Louis, Alexander, Franz-Joseph, and Henry Battenberg–four members of a Prussian family who lived during the 17th century. While this assertion has been made on BBC’s The Great British Bake Off, it may not explain its history accurately.
The earliest records of the Battenberg Cake don’t indicate it as having four squares; instead, it is believed to have originally consisted of nine pieces. Unfortunately, this theory appears to be more of a modern fabrication than anything else.
Carrot Cake
Carrot cake is one of the most beloved Easter treats in America, and for a good reason: it’s easy to bake, delicious, and has a long tradition. This delectable treat often features cream cheese frosting and comes in various forms like a layer cake, bundt cake, or cupcakes.
Carrot Cake is an iconic American dessert made with grated carrots, flour, oil, and sugar. Its flavorful cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves blend is often topped off with cream cheese frosting or decorated with shredded carrots, nuts, or other fruits.
This cake is beloved for its moist texture and delightful sweetness, making it a popular choice for children and adults.
However, it’s essential to remember that carrots contain saturated fat and can raise cholesterol levels. Therefore, those with heart disease should steer clear of this dessert.
Alternatively, substituting butter with olive oil could make this cake less saturated. Not only does this lower the risk of heart disease, but it also improves the texture.
Another way to make a healthier carrot cake is by substituting fresh fruits and vegetables for sugar. This will increase its sweetness while decreasing the overall calorie count of the cake.
Additionally, you can select different kinds of carrots for diverse flavors and textures.
It is essential to remember the delicate texture of carrot cake when handling it. If overcooked or not baked correctly, the cake may become soggy.
No matter the recipe you use, ensuring the cake does not overcook or undercook is essential. Doing so will affect both its quality and taste.
Although a slice of carrot cake may not be particularly healthy, it does contain essential vitamins and minerals for our bodies. Furthermore, it provides us with plenty of dietary fiber and protein.
Chocolate Fudge Cake
For the classic easter cake in America, look no further than Chocolate Fudge Cake. Not only is it rich and delicious, but also super easy to make at home.
This delectable fudge cake is made with sweetened cocoa powder and chocolate chips, then topped off with an indulgent layer of chocolate frosting.
It is served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and some whipped cream, making it the perfect dessert for any time of the year.
When making this cake, it is essential to use top-notch ingredients. Select dark chocolate and cocoa powder with intense flavor and moisture content for optimal cake results.
Ensure your fudge cake is baked at the correct temperature using an oven thermometer.
Once your oven reaches the correct temperature, add all other ingredients and mix until combined. Your fudge cake is ready when it has turned golden brown, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
This recipe can be made dairy-free or gluten-free by substituting Almond Milk for regular milk and Bob’s Redmill Gluten Free flour instead of all-purpose flour.
Add hot water to the dry ingredients if you want your cake even moister. This will help the buttermilk and eggs hydrate the batter more effectively.
Add a small amount of coffee to the mixture for an extra-rich chocolate taste before baking it. Doing so will give the cake an almost mocha aroma.
This recipe makes a rich and moist fudge cake ideal for special occasions or to wow your friends. Top it off with an indulgent scoop of ice cream, or add some fruit for a healthier dessert.