A Delicious Honey Spice Cake Recipe

Today we share a delicious honey spice cake recipe, which is similar to a standard cake with its golden, soft appearance. This honey spice cake is suitable for any occasion, formal or casual.

Another important point of this cake is that the preparation is simple and no elaborate decoration is required. Of course, the magic is in the simplicity. You can also substitute any ingredients you want to suit your particular diet (except the honey, of course, which is the main ingredient).

For example, plant-based milk instead of dairy will give the cake fewer calories and enhance the taste of honey. However, since milk contains about 3% fat, cakes you make with it will be richer, fuller and moister. As for the spices in this recipe, they are very aromatic and give the cake a wonderful taste.

Some people may add a little more ginger to enhance the spiciness in the honey spice cake. Ultimately, however, you can adjust everything to your own taste. Don’t be afraid to experiment with spices in desserts, the result will be delicious!

Honey spice cake

Ingredients

• The peel of one orange
• 3 cups of honey
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 pinch ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 5 cups baker’s flour
• 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon

• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 2 tablespoons baking soda
• 3 cups plant-based or dairy milk
• ½ teaspoon ground anise or anise seeds
• Optional: fresh orange juice, raisins, nuts (whole or powdered)
• Vegetable oil (desired amount)

Preparation

• First preheat the oven to 180ºC.
• Then peel the orange and set it aside.
• Then put the dry ingredients in a bowl (except the orange peel) and stir until homogeneous.
• Then make a hole in the center of the bowl to pour the liquid ingredients into. So the milk and honey (if you opt for the mulled wine version, now is the time to add the wine. See instructions below).

• Also add the orange zest and mix all ingredients with a hand mixer to obtain a homogeneous mixture, removing all lumps.
• Let the cake mixture stand at room temperature for 15 minutes. This is intended to allow the ingredients to settle and give the mixture a spicy, intense and pleasant aroma.
• Then grease a cake tin with vegetable oil and pour the mixture into it. Using a spoon or spatula, smooth the surface to evenly distribute the mixture.
• Then place it in the oven and bake for about 30 minutes. Once the cake has risen and is golden, prick the center with a fork or toothpick. If it comes out clean, the cake is ready. If not, bake the cake for another 10 minutes. Repeat this process until the cake is well baked.

• Remove the cake from the oven once done and let it cool to room temperature, covered with a clean, dry cloth (away from all heat).
• Carefully turn the still warm cake onto an oven rack and let it cool for at least 10 minutes.
• Now that the honey spice cake is ready to serve, you can pour some natural orange juice over it and add some orange slices if you like.

A German twist

The honey spice cake varies during the traditional family holidays. Although this is also a German recipe, it is also widely eaten in France and Belgium. The original recipe contains mulled wine.

Ingredients for the mulled wine

• 2 bay leaves
• 5 cloves
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• The zest of 1 lemon
• The zest of 1 orange
• 7 1/2 tablespoons sugar
• ½ teaspoon ginger
• 3 glasses of red wine or mulled wine

Preparation

• First place a pan on a low heat and then add the wine. Do not let the wine boil.
• Then add the spices and stir with a spoon.
• Then gradually add the sugar while continuing to stir until completely dissolved.
• Then drain and set the drink aside.
• Prepare the honey spice cake by following the steps previously mentioned, but this time add the mulled wine during the fourth step.

The honey spice cake is a fairly simple yet very popular dessert because of its delectable taste. In general, this cake is not decorated.

However, you can add a layer of dark chocolate or sprinkle cocoa powder or powdered sugar or both. You can also garnish the cake with nuts and seeds and dried fruit. Give it a try. We are sure you will love it!