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Cozy Honey Cake with Cardamom and Orange Zest

cozy honey cake - featured image

A tender and moist honey cake infused with warm cardamom and bright orange zest, perfect for cozy occasions and simple indulgence.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cardamom (freshly ground preferred)
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup (255 g) honey, preferably raw or wildflower
  • ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • Zest of 1 large orange, finely grated
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) fresh orange juice
  • ½ cup (120 ml) whole milk (or dairy-free milk like oat or almond milk)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your cake pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, ground cardamom, and salt. Set aside.
  3. Using a mixer or whisk, beat the softened butter with honey and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until the batter is smooth and glossy.
  5. Stir in the orange zest, fresh orange juice, and vanilla extract.
  6. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, alternating with the milk, starting and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
  7. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
  8. Bake for 40-50 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  9. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Use room temperature eggs and butter for best mixing results. Avoid the white pith when zesting the orange to prevent bitterness. Tent the cake with foil if browning too quickly. Let the cake cool completely before slicing to set texture. For gluten-free, substitute flour with a 1:1 gluten-free blend. For vegan, use flax eggs and plant-based milk and butter.

Nutrition

Keywords: honey cake, cardamom, orange zest, cozy cake, easy dessert, spiced cake, homemade cake