Honey cake with nuts is a delicious, rich dessert that's perfect for special occasions or a sweet treat any time. This cake combines the sweetness of honey with the crunchiness of nuts to create a flavorful and moist dessert. Here’s a recipe to make a classic honey cake with nuts:
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 cup honey
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 large eggs
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk (or milk with 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar, let sit for 5 minutes)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Nut Filling:
- 1 cup chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, or almonds)
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
For the Glaze (optional):
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
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Preheat Oven and Prepare Pans:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease and flour a 9x13-inch baking pan or two 8-inch round cake pans. Alternatively, you can line the pans with parchment paper.
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Prepare the Nut Filling:
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add the chopped nuts and honey, and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture is well combined and the nuts are lightly toasted (about 3-5 minutes). Set aside to cool.
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Make the Cake Batter:
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the honey and mix well.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the buttermilk, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Stir in the vanilla extract.
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Assemble the Cake:
- Pour half of the cake batter into the prepared pan(s).
- Spread the nut filling evenly over the batter.
- Top with the remaining cake batter, smoothing it out.
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Bake the Cake:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes (or 25-30 minutes for round pans), or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
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Prepare the Glaze (optional):
- In a small saucepan, combine the honey and water. Heat over low heat until the honey is thin and pourable.
- Brush or drizzle the glaze over the cooled cake.
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Serve:
- Once the glaze has set (if using), cut the cake into squares or slices and serve.
This honey cake with nuts is incredibly moist and flavorful, with a delightful blend of sweet honey and crunchy nuts. It’s perfect for a cozy dessert or as a special treat for gatherings. Enjoy!
