Bulgarian Honey Spice Cake

Ingredients

• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil
• 1 cup (240ml) honey 1 cup (240ml) honey
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon grated orange zest 1 tablespoon grated orange zest
• 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk

Nutrition

• Calories: 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat: 12g (Saturated Fat: 1.5g)
• Carbohydrates: 59g (Sugar: 40g)
• Protein: 4g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 0.4g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
2. 2.
   In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
3. 3.
   In a separate large bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, honey, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and orange zest until well combined.
4. 4.
   Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.
5. 5.
   Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
6. 6.
   Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake 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.
8. 8.
   Once cooled, dust the cake with powdered sugar or drizzle with a glaze made from honey and lemon juice, if desired.
9. 9.
   Slice and serve the Bulgarian Honey Spice Cake, and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Honey — Use a good quality honey with a rich flavor to enhance the taste of the cake.
• Orange zest — Make sure to grate only the outer orange part of the peel, avoiding the bitter white pith.

Tips & Tricks

• For a more intense flavor, let the cake sit for a day before serving.
• Serve the cake with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgence.
• If you prefer a stronger citrus flavor, add a few drops of orange extract to the batter.
• To make the cake extra moist, brush the top with a honey syrup after it comes out of the oven.
• Experiment with different spices like cardamom or ginger to personalize the flavor profile.

Serving advice

Serve the Bulgarian Honey Spice Cake as a delightful dessert after a hearty Bulgarian meal. It pairs well with a cup of hot tea or coffee.

Presentation advice

Dust the top of the cake with powdered sugar for an elegant and classic presentation. Alternatively, drizzle a honey-lemon glaze over the cake for a glossy and inviting look.