Sweet Honey-Infused Pastry with a Milk Twist
One ain't gonna impress 'em with a fanciful dessert every time, right? That's where the milk and honey cake shines - delivering big on flavor without the hassle of being overly complex. This bad boy is sweet, yet not too sweet, and has a delightful crumbly texture that'll leave you craving for more. The amount of honey used gives it a unique twist, so pick your favorite to bring out the best flavors.
Check out Odette Williams' "Simple Cake" cookbook for more scrumptious treats like this one. You'll need two round cake pans, but you can always freeze the leftover batter for later.
For additional honey-inspired recipe ideas, keep reading! Let's make the most of that jar.
- Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients (13)
For the cake:
- 2 1⁄4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
- 3 eggs, at room temperature
- 1 cup buttermilk, shake carton
- 3⁄4 cup honey
- 1⁄2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 3⁄4 cup granulated sugar
For the honey whipped cream:
- 2 tablespoons of honey
- 1⁄2 cup (115g) heavy cream, chilled
- 1 tablespoon of sifted confectioners' sugar
Instructions
To make the cake:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease two 8 by 2-inch round pans with butter, line the bottom and sides of the pans with parchment paper, and grease the paper.
- Place a large sifter or a sieve in a large bowl. Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt and sift.
- In a small bowl, whisk the eggs together. Set aside.
- In another small bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, honey, and vanilla. Set aside.
- Using an electric mixer with beaters or a paddle attachment, beat the butter for 30 to 45 seconds on medium speed, then gradually add the sugar. When all the sugar has been added, stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula. Continue beating on medium speed for another 4 minutes or until light in color and fluffy.
- With the mixer still on medium speed, add the eggs 1 tablespoon at a time, over 3 minutes. If the batter curdles, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of the flour to bind it back together.
- With the mixer on low speed, add the dry and wet ingredients alternately two times, starting and ending with the dry. Mix until just combined and smooth.
- Don't overbeat. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl with a spatula to make sure it's well combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pans and smooth the top. Bake in the center of the oven on the same rack for 35 to 38 minutes or until a wooden skewer inserted in the center comes out clean, and the cake bounces back when lightly pressed. #Remove the cakes from the oven and let them stand for 10 minutes. Run a butter knife around the cakes to gently release. Peel off the parchment paper from the sides. Invert the cakes, peel off the bottom piece of parchment, and cool on a wire rack.
To make the honey whipped cream:
- Pour the cream into a cold large metal bowl. If adding any flavoring (yogurt and confectioners' sugar), add it now.
- Using a balloon whisk, begin to whisk the cream until it has doubled in volume, has smooth soft peaks, and is light and fluffy. Add some finely grated zest for a delicious tang.
Feel free to swap out types of honey or add other flavorings to make this cake your own!
Reprinted with permission from "Simple Cake" by Odette Williams, copyright © 2019. Photographs by Nicole Franzen. Published by Ten Speed Press, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Photograph courtesy of Nicole Franzen.
Bonus Recipe Ideas:
- Russian Honey Cake (Medovik)
- A traditional cake made of multiple thin layers of cookie-like dough, layered with sweet cream filling and covered in crumbs from the cake layers.
- Honey Bun Cake
- A breakfast or brunch option made from a box of yellow cake mix, cinnamon, honey, and vanilla glaze.
- Ina Garten's Honey Vanilla Pound Cake
- A simple and elegant cake featuring honey and butter for a rich flavor.
- Mini Honey Cakes
- Small, three-layered treats made with honey-based biscuits, cream cheese, and fresh berries. Ideal for small gatherings or gifts.
- Honey Butter Cake with Vanilla Buttercream
- A classic cake featuring honey and butter, glazed with honey-brown sugar and topped with vanilla buttercream.
- Delve into Odette Williams' "Simple Cake" cookbook for more dessert recipes like the milk and honey cake, which boasts a simple preparation process despite its elaborate flavor.
- The milk and honey cake is an uncomplicated yet delicious dessert, perfect for when you want to impress without the hassle of an elaborate baking project.
- For those looking to expand their honey-inspired recipe collection, consider trying the Russian honey cake, a traditional layered dessert made with multiple thin cookie-like dough layers, sweet cream filling, and cake crumbs.
- Honey bun cake, another honey-infused recipe, is a breakfast or brunch option that uses a yellow cake mix, cinnamon, honey, and vanilla glaze.
