Bienenstich - German Honey Almond Cake

Ingredients

• For the dough: For the dough:
• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 1/4 teaspoons (7g) instant yeast 2 1/4 teaspoons (7g) instant yeast
• 1/2 cup (120ml) warm milk 1/2 cup (120ml) warm milk
• 1/4 cup (55g) unsalted butter, softened 1/4 cup (55g) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs 2 large eggs
• For the vanilla cream filling: For the vanilla cream filling:
• 2 cups (480ml) whole milk 2 cups (480ml) whole milk
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup (30g) cornstarch 1/4 cup (30g) cornstarch
• 4 large egg yolks 4 large egg yolks
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Zest of 1 lemon Zest of 1 lemon
• For the almond topping: For the almond topping:
• 1/2 cup (100g) unsalted butter 1/2 cup (100g) unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons honey 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon heavy cream 1 tablespoon heavy cream
• 1 1/2 cups (150g) sliced almonds 1 1/2 cups (150g) sliced almonds

Nutrition

• Calories: 380 kcal / 1590 kJ
• Fat: 19g (Saturated Fat: 8g)
• Carbohydrates: 46g (Sugars: 23g)
• Protein: 8g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 0.3g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, and instant yeast.
2. 2.
   In a separate bowl, whisk together the warm milk, softened butter, and eggs.
3. 3.
   Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms.
4. 4.
   Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
5. 5.
   Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
6. 6.
   Meanwhile, prepare the vanilla cream filling. In a saucepan, heat the milk until steaming but not boiling.
7. 7.
   In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, egg yolks, vanilla extract, and lemon zest until well combined.
8. 8.
   Slowly pour the hot milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly.
9. 9.
   Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened.
10. 10.
    Remove from heat and transfer the cream to a bowl. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing it directly onto the surface to prevent a skin from forming. Let it cool completely.
11. 11.
    Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease and line a 9-inch (23cm) round cake pan with parchment paper.
12. 12.
    Once the dough has doubled in size, punch it down and transfer it to the prepared cake pan. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the pan.
13. 13.
    Spread the cooled vanilla cream filling over the dough.
14. 14.
    In a small saucepan, melt the butter, sugar, honey, and heavy cream for the almond topping over medium heat, stirring until the sugar has dissolved.
15. 15.
    Remove from heat and stir in the sliced almonds.
16. 16.
    Carefully spread the almond topping over the vanilla cream filling.
17. 17.
    Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the almond topping is golden brown and the cake is cooked through.
18. 18.
    Remove from the oven and let it cool completely before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Almonds — Toast the sliced almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat until golden brown for an extra nutty flavor.
• Lemon zest — Use a microplane or fine grater to zest the lemon, being careful to avoid the bitter white pith.

Tips & Tricks

• For a richer flavor, you can add a splash of almond extract to the vanilla cream filling.
• To achieve a perfectly caramelized almond topping, keep a close eye on it while baking to prevent burning.
• Serve the Bienenstich slightly chilled for a refreshing twist.

Serving advice

Serve each slice of Bienenstich with a dollop of freshly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful contrast of temperatures and textures.

Presentation advice

Garnish the Bienenstich with a sprinkle of powdered sugar and a few extra toasted almond slices for an elegant touch. Serve it on a cake stand or a decorative platter to showcase its beauty.