Dutch Spiced Honey Cake

Ingredients

• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (240ml) milk 1 cup (240ml) milk
• 1 cup (340g) honey 1 cup (340g) honey
• 1 cup (200g) dark brown sugar 1 cup (200g) dark brown sugar
• 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted
• 2 large eggs 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon salt

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 10g, 6g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 63g, 45g
• Protein: 4g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 0.2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch (23cm) round cake pan.
2. 2.
   In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, baking powder, and salt.
3. 3.
   In a separate bowl, combine the milk, honey, dark brown sugar, melted butter, and eggs. Whisk until well combined.
4. 4.
   Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
5. 5.
   Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
6. 6.
   Bake for approximately 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. 7.
   Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Honey — Use a good quality honey for the best flavor. If the honey is too thick, gently warm it before adding it to the batter to make it easier to incorporate.
• Dark brown sugar — The dark brown sugar adds depth and richness to the cake. If you don't have dark brown sugar, you can use light brown sugar as a substitute, although the flavor will be slightly different.
• Spices — Make sure your spices are fresh for the best flavor. If you prefer a stronger spice flavor, you can increase the amounts slightly.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra touch of indulgence, serve the Dutch Spiced Honey Cake warm with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
• To enhance the flavors, you can brush the top of the cake with a thin layer of warm honey after it has cooled.
• Allow the cake to cool completely before slicing to ensure clean and neat slices.
• Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain its freshness.
• This cake tastes even better the next day as the flavors have a chance to meld together.

Serving advice

Serve the Dutch Spiced Honey Cake as a delightful dessert or enjoy it with a cup of tea or coffee for a cozy afternoon treat. It can also be served as a sweet breakfast or brunch option.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, dust the top of the cake with a sprinkle of powdered sugar before serving. You can also garnish it with a few thin slices of fresh orange or lemon zest for a pop of color.