Can I Add A Marzipan Centre To The Gorgeously Golden Fruit Cake?

Our answer

Nigella's Gorgeously Golden Fruit Cake (from NIGELLA CHRISTMAS) is a gluten-free fruit cake that is gets its hue from dried pears, apricots and golden sultanas (golden raisins). It is a fabulous alternative to a traditional rich fruit cake and has the added advantage of not needing to "mature" before it is eaten.

We assume that the layer of marzipan would be similar to a Simnel Cake. However, as the Gorgeously Golden Fruit Cake doesn't contain any gluten, it can be a bit crumbly when cut and we are not sure if the marzipan will slide out of the cake as it is cut. Also, it could make the cake slightly oily as there is no flour to soak up any of the oils from the marzipan. So if a cake including gluten is not a problem then we would suggest trying Nigella's Simnel Cake instead. We would also mention that the Gorgeously Golden Fruit Cake is wonderful without the addition of a marzipan centre. Alternatively, omit the nut decoration from the top of the cake and once it has baked and cooled then you could add a circle of marzipan to the top (brush some warmed and strained apricot jam on the top of the cake to help the marzipan to stick on) and then decorate the marzipan with lightly toasted blanched almonds.