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Traditional German Honey Cake (Honigkuchen) topped with chocolate glaze and apricot jam.

Honigkuchen

A cozy, traditional German honey cake that's irresistibly soft and perfect for snacks or gatherings.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: German
Calories: 180

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 cup Honey Use your favorite honey for the best flavor.
  • 1/2 cup Butter
  • 1 cup Brown sugar Can substitute with white sugar, but brown sugar is preferred.
  • 2 large Eggs
  • 1/2 cup Milk Can be substituted with unsweetened plant milk.
  • 3 cups All purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp Baking powder
  • 1 tsp Baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1 tsp Cinnamon For a cozy touch.
  • 1/4 tsp Ground cloves or allspice Use sparingly for flavor.
  • 1 tsp Vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup Sliced almonds Optional, for topping.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a sheet pan and optionally line it with parchment paper.
  2. In a small pot, gently warm the honey, butter, and brown sugar until smooth. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
Mixing
  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and vanilla extract. Add the warm honey mixture and whisk until well combined.
  2. In another bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices. Gradually stir into the wet ingredients until just combined.
  3. If desired, sprinkle sliced almonds on top of the batter.
Baking
  1. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth it out.
  2. Bake for about 18-25 minutes, or until the top is set and a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
Cooling
  1. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes. If using a honey glaze, brush it on while the cake is still warm.
  2. Slice into squares and serve.

Notes

This cake is great for making ahead of time and holds its flavor well. Store in an airtight container. It can also be frozen for longer storage.