The best simnel cake revealed
After sampling five Simnel cakes from some of the best bakeries in the country, we found our favourite. Which got Country Life's vote?


1) Small oval Simnel cake in a tin, £11.95, Bettys (0845 600 1919; www.bettys.co.uk)
Presented in a pretty tin, this elegant little creation is just the right size for two to share. Its strong almond flavour divided our testers, but this was generally held to be a superior Simnel. Score: 4
Simnel Cake, £20, Fortnum & Mason (0845 300 1707; www.fortnumandmason.com)
Decorated with daffodils and packaged in what looks like a miniature hat box, this smart Simnel is straight out of Mr Selfridge. Sadly, the cake itself failed to deliver the necessary fruity oomph. Safe, but unexciting. Score: 3
3) Simnel cake, £12, Meg Rivers (01608 682858; www.megrivers.co.uk) With its speckled marzipan topping, this would look right at home on a farmhouse kitchen table. It's the most traditional of the Simnels we tastedfruity, moist without being stodgy, and pleasingly spiced. Score: 4.5
4) Chocolate Simnel cake, £12, The Simply Delicious Cake Company (01584 823470; www.simplydeliciouscakes.co.uk) And now for something completely different. Those who've given up chocolate for Lent might be tempted by a slice of this rich, dense cake studded with fruit and nuts on Easter morning. Unorthodox, but delicious nonetheless. Score: 3.75
5) Owl Simnel loaf, £12, Konditor & Cook (020-7633 3333; http://shop.konditorandcook.com) What a handsome fellow! This quirky loaf won our hearts with its toasted topping, boozy crumb and hint of lemon zest. Score: 4.75
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Emma Hughes lives in London and has spent the past 15 years writing for publications including the Guardian, the Telegraph, the Evening Standard, Waitrose Food, British Vogue and Condé Nast Traveller. Currently Country Life's Acting Assistant Features Editor and its London Life restaurant columnist, if she isn't tapping away at a keyboard she's probably taking something out of the oven (or eating it).
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