Latvian Honey Cake

Ingredients

• For the cake layers: For the cake layers:
• 4 cups (480g) all-purpose flour 4 cups (480g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (240ml) honey 1 cup (240ml) honey
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (240ml) milk 1 cup (240ml) milk
• 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted
• 4 large eggs 4 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons baking powder 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon salt
• For the cream filling: For the cream filling:
• 2 cups (480ml) sour cream 2 cups (480ml) sour cream
• 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
• 1/2 cup (100g) powdered sugar 1/2 cup (100g) powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• For the honey syrup: For the honey syrup:
• 1/2 cup (120ml) honey 1/2 cup (120ml) honey
• 1/4 cup (60ml) water 1/4 cup (60ml) water
• For decoration: For decoration:
• Powdered sugar Powdered sugar
• Honey drizzle (optional) Honey drizzle (optional)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1880 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 22g, 13g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 58g, 35g
• Protein: 6g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 0.2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
2. 2.
   In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt.
3. 3.
   In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, sugar, and melted butter until well combined. Add the honey and milk, and mix until smooth.
4. 4.
   Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
5. 5.
   Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
6. 6.
   Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. 7.
   While the cake is baking, prepare the cream filling. In a mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. In another bowl, whisk together the sour cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Gently fold the whipped cream into the sour cream mixture until well combined. Refrigerate until ready to use.
8. 8.
   In a small saucepan, heat the honey and water over low heat until the honey is dissolved. Remove from heat and let the syrup cool.
9. 9.
   Once the cake has cooled, remove it from the pan and slice it horizontally into three equal layers.
10. 10.
    Place one cake layer on a serving plate and brush it generously with the honey syrup. Spread a layer of the cream filling on top. Repeat this process with the remaining layers.
11. 11.
    Decorate the top of the cake with a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of honey, if desired.
12. 12.
    Refrigerate the cake for at least 2 hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
13. 13.
    Slice and serve the Latvian Honey Cake, savoring each bite of its moist cake layers and creamy filling.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Honey — Use a high-quality honey to ensure a rich and authentic flavor in the cake.
• Sour cream — Opt for full-fat sour cream for a creamy and tangy filling.
• Cinnamon, ginger, and cloves — Adjust the amount of spices according to your personal preference for a more pronounced or subtle flavor.

Tips & Tricks

• For a more intense honey flavor, brush each cake layer with additional honey syrup before adding the cream filling.
• Allow the cake to chill in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving to enhance the flavors and make it easier to slice.
• Decorate the top of the cake with crushed nuts or edible flowers for an extra touch of elegance.
• If you prefer a sweeter cream filling, add more powdered sugar to taste.
• Serve the Latvian Honey Cake with a dollop of whipped cream and a drizzle of honey for an indulgent treat.

Serving advice

Slice the Latvian Honey Cake into generous portions and serve it chilled. Pair it with a cup of hot tea or coffee to complement the flavors.

Presentation advice

To present the Latvian Honey Cake beautifully, dust the serving plate with powdered sugar before placing the cake on it. Garnish the top with a sprinkle of powdered sugar or a drizzle of honey for an elegant touch.