Where to buy the best Simnel cake for Easter 2023

1. Waitrose & Partners Simnel Cake - View at Waitrose & Partners (opens in new tab)

Winner: The best Simnel cake 2023

RRP: £12

Despite having a smaller 12cm diameter this cake was taller than the others in the tasting giving it a contemporary look. The size is ideal for a smaller crowd or great for gifting as it would serve 6-8. The marzipan on top is imprinted with a circular design that gives the cake a modern feel. And is topped with 11 marzipan balls. To make this Simnel cake look extra special for Easter day you could wrap a ribbon around its middle, perhaps even balance a few small chocolate eggs on top.

Deputy Food Editor Rose Fooks says: "This Simnel cake was a clear winner. It was the best-tasting Simnel cake, which was so good it could pass as homemade. It’s a light fruit cake with rich caramel flavours. We felt it had the perfect amount of spice. The subtle ginger and cinnamon as well as the sweet caramel flavour reminded us of German Christmas Lebkuchen. The cake has a lovely texture, it’s generously fruit-filled but not crumbly. 

The cake was moist and held together well. Another generous layer of marzipan ran through the center which infused the cake with a rich nutty flavour. This is the cake I would choose for Easter, or any time of year really. It was delicious."

2.  M&S Simnel cake - View at Ocado (opens in new tab)

Best looking Simnel cake

RRP: £13

This is the Simnel cake for the marzipan fans. As you would expect from M&S the marzipan is of great quality with a rich almond flavour. On top, a thick layer of marzipan is cut into an attractive frilly design which is adorned with 11 large balls. Another layer of marzipan runs through the center of the cake. Both infuse the cake with a lovely almond flavour, that tastes delicious while simultaneously adding to the winning texture.  

It has a 16cm diameter and weighs a hefty 930g, great for a larger gathering, it could serve 10-12.

Deputy Editor Rose Fooks says: "The judges were divided when it came to the look of this Simnel cake. I think the marzipan embellishment is pretty and something a little different. The scalloped edge of the marzipan certainly made this cake stand out as different from the others. 

However, those judges who favoured a more classic and minimal decoration felt the frilly edge was a little fussy. The cake is fruit-heavy and darker than others we tasted, it has a richer flavour more like Christmas cake, and contains currants and cherries." 

3. Tesco Finest Simnel Cake - View at Tesco (opens in new tab)

Best value Simnel cake

RRP: £12

This fruit-packed Simnel cake is another fantastic option for Easter. The cake contains whole glacé cherries and a generous amount of vine fruit, making it feel expensive and luxurious. The fruit contributes to the rich flavour, but similar to the Waitrose cake it’s a lighter style fruit cake with a lighter sponge in a more classic Simnel cake style.

The floral toasted marzipan decoration has an unusual contemporary look, but marzipan fans will be happy to hear still retains the obligatory 11 marzipan balls to denote Jesus’ disciples. The marzipan has a strong almond flavour. There is a thick layer on top as well as a layer baked into the centre of the cake. This keeps the cake moist giving it a winning texture. The Tesco cake is the same 16cm diameter as the M&S one, but slightly lighter in weight. Despite having a luxurious feel it is actually one of the cheaper cakes we tasted. 

Food Editor Jess Meyer says: “At just £12 I think this is great value, it tastes rich and buttery, I would have thought it would have cost more.” And we would be very content indeed sitting down on Easter afternoon to enjoy a slice with a cup of tea. In general, we were less keen on the embossed design of this cake compared with the other winners. 

4. Taste the Difference All Butter Simnel Cake - View at Sainsbury's (opens in new tab)

Best cheap supermarket Simnel cake 

RRP: £10

A good-looking option that comes with a toasted marzipan lattice top, and 11 marzipan balls and is wrapped up in a pretty yellow ribbon. The judges really liked the look of this cake, as it had a sweet vintage feel. 

This entry from Sainsbury's is a heavily fruited light fruit cake with a subtle spice. Dotted with a hefty serving of cherries and vine fruits. The sponge was a little dryer than the others we tasted. However, there is a layer of marzipan running through the center which added moistness. 

Junior Food Writer Georgia Sparks says: "The marzipan in the middle is the savour of this cake, it adds moistness and a lovely nutty essence. The 14cm cake would serve 8-12. This cake is all butter which contributes to the richer flavour. This can is the cheapest of the winning cakes, so if you are in the market for a budget cake then this is the cake for you." 

5. Cartwright & Butler Simnel loaf cake - View at Cartwright & Butler (opens in new tab)

Best Simnel cake for gifting

RRP: £14

This loaf-style Simnel cake is 13cm long and could be cut into 6-8 slices. So perfect for tea time. The decoration and packaging of Cartwright & Butler Simnel Loaf Cake are beautiful. It comes in a cute tin wrapped up with a bow and the marzipan that covers the top is an embossed Easter design. The tin acts to protect this cake in the post as well as making it look all wrapped up and perfect for gifting. 

Junior Food Writer Georgia Sparks says: "I really liked the marzipan Easter egg motif on top, pointing out that it appeals to all ages. The cake is extremely rich and much more in the style of a Christmas cake than a Simnel cake. It’s densely packed with sultanas and has a strong molasses flavour. The fruit is plump and juicy, but we missed the presence of whole cherries. There is a marzipan layer in the center, and the layer on top is thick, but unfortunately for the marzipan fans, it doesn't come with marzipan balls."

6. The Original Cake Co. 9 Piece Spring Fruit Cake Selection - View at The Original Cake Co. (opens in new tab)

Best alternative Simnel cake

RRP: £21.95

Not really a classic Simnel cake, this one comes already cut into nine individual servings, each hand decorated in four different styles. However, we were disappointed with the flavour and felt this cake was laking on marzipan. There is no marzipan baked into the centre, meaning the cake was on the dry side. 

Not all of the designs have marzipan on top. More in a classic fruit cake style like Christmas cake, the Original cake company 9 Piece Spring Fruit Cake Selection is fruit packed and ever so rich. We love that this cake is made by hand in Lincolnshire.  

Food Director Jen Bedloe says: "These look great, and I was excited to try one. The different decorations are great for variety and look fab. They would be great at a party and save having to grapple with the cake cutting."