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Honey Cake Recipe: 6 Delicious Variations You Need to Try Recipe

4.9 from 77 reviews

This classic honey cake recipe delivers a moist, flavorful dessert made from simple pantry staples like honey, flour, and eggs. Enhanced with optional warm spices, nuts, and citrus notes, this cake offers a perfectly tender crumb with a golden brown crust, ideal for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup honey (wildflower or clover recommended)
  • ¾ cup vegetable oil (or melted butter for a richer taste)
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup fresh orange juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional Add-Ins

  • ½ cup chopped walnuts or almonds
  • ¼ cup raisins
  • 1 tablespoon grated orange zest

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Batter: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch pan or two 9-inch round cake pans and line them with parchment paper. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the honey, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth. Then stir in the orange juice and mix thoroughly.
  2. Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Gradually fold the dry mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing. If you choose to include nuts or raisins, fold them in at this stage.
  3. Bake the Cake: Pour the batter evenly into your prepared pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake rest in the pan for about 10 minutes before carefully removing it to cool completely on a wire rack.

Notes

  • Choose high-quality honey like wildflower or clover to enhance the cake’s flavor.
  • Be careful not to overmix the batter to maintain a tender crumb.
  • Watch the baking time closely to prevent the honey from caramelizing too much and making the cake dense.
  • To retain moisture after baking, lightly cover the cake with a clean towel.

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