This Honey Spice Cake boasts of warm flavors and aromas. Between each layer lies cool fresh cream, frosting and sweet berries.
"Life would be infinitely happier if we could only be born at the age of eighty and gradually approach eighteen." — Mark Twain
Of all the beautiful, whimsical sayings floating around about age and beauty, this one always stood out to me. Perhaps it's because it is so true.
It seems to me most of us spend a good amount of time reflecting...looking back at past failures rather than look forward and anticipating. Why can't we do now, some of the things we think our sixteen year-old selves could have done then?
I have come to realize that each year will hold some disappointments but those can be easily outweighed by the joys and blessings. The problem is we take the good things for granted too often and choose to focus on that which is not in our power. Nature takes it's own course, much to my own dismay as I may not be the most patient person at times.
One month ago, I had my birthday planned from the twelfth hour. I played it out in my head so many times, it began to feel like a distant memory.
Jump forward a few weeks, and as the hours drew nearer, the family gathered into the den as we usually do to watch a show.
What a beautiful blessing it is, to be able to have a routine with those you love.
No, my birthday did not go as planned, but my birthday turned out infinitely better than expected.
Nothing went accordingly, not even my cake.
I originally pictured a strawberry shortcake, one of my absolute favorite desserts. Then, the night before, while browsing online, I came across this Honey Cake from Bon Appetit. I fell in love with it immediately and decided to make it instead, with my own variations of course.
I divided the cake and layered it with a combination of vanilla frosting and whipped cream with fresh berries speckled throughout. I topped it off with a drizzle of honey, a light dusting of confectioner's sugar and roses to garnish.
It is one of my favorite cakes to date. I am absolutely in love with how it came out and how it tastes.
Celebrate Spring with this seasonal delight...I promise you will not be disappointed.
Springtime Honey Spice Cake
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 1x
Ingredients
Honey Spice Cake:
- 2 cups gluten-free all-purpose baking flour
- 11/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- Pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup (packed) dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 large egg
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/2 cup buttermilk or sourmilk*
Topping and Garnish:
- 1 cup whipping cream
- 1 tablespoon confectioner sugar, plus more for dusting
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Vanilla frosting
- Honey for drizzle
- Roses for garnish
- 1 cup sliced strawberries
- 1 cup sliced black berries
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Butter a 9-inch springform pan and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Set aside.
- In the bowl of your stand mixer with the paddle attachment, blend sugars, oil, honey, egg and egg yolk. Add orange juice and butter milk.
- *To make sour milk, take 1 cup of milk and mix with 1 tablespoon vinegar. Let stand for about 10 minutes until curdled.
- Beat the mixture until frothy. Add dry ingredients and mix until a smooth batter forms.
- Pour the batter into the prepared springform pan and bake for about 45 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean.
- Transfer the cake to a cooling rack and let cool completely.
Assembly:
- Whip the whipping cream, confectioner's sugar and vanilla together until firm peaks form. Set aside.
- Divide the cake in half.
- Spread a thin layer of vanilla frosting over the bottom half of cake and place 1/2 cup of the freshly whipped cream on top. Spread out evenly and place berry slices throughout.
- Frost the top half of the cake before place it on top the bottom half. Finally, top the cake with the remaining whipped cream and berries. Garnish with rose buds, drizzle with honey and sift power sugar lightly over the entire cake.
- Best when served immediately, but can be stored in the refrigerator a few hours ahead of serving.
Notes
Adapted from Bon Appetit
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
xo,
Tammy<3
Louise says
Happy Birthday Tammy!!! Sorry it's a bit late but oh my goodness, you sure made one gorgeous looking cake! (between me and you, I'm kinda glad you went with the Honey Spice Cake rather than the Strawberry Shortcake.) Looks like the you got the best of both with this amazing cake!
Thank you so much for sharing, Tammy...
Living the Gourmet says
Thank you, Louise!!! It is so good to hear from you. I am glad I went with this one too! ^_^
Have a beautiful day. xoxo
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
That's a glorious spring cake! Perfect for the celebration, Tammy.
Jen | Baked by an Introvert says
This is a gorgeous cake! The colorful berries and honey spice are perfect for welcoming in warmer weather!
allie @ Through Her Looking Glass says
Gorgeous cake Catherine. I love the Twain quote. Reminds me of one of my favorite folk singers David Wilcox who has a wonderful song called "Start with the Ending" and it is so true. We grow wiser each year, if only we had that wisdom "back then". Wishing you and yours a wonderful day and hope it includes a slice of this delicious and beautiful cake! xo
Angela says
You have created one beautiful cake my friend!! This would certainly be perfect for mothers day celebrations!
Janette@CulinaryGinger says
I love a spice cake and your presentation is outstanding.
Debi at Life Currents says
Wow this cake is beautiful! And happy birthday to you! It can be hard to change up plans for something special like a birthday, but like you said, it can turn out even better. You cake is proof of that! So pretty!
The Food Hunter says
I am in total love with this beautiful creation
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious says
That is an exceptionally pretty cake. In fact, that cake is a supermodel, and I wish you a wonderful birthday day, week and month.
Tara says
What a gorgeous cake, fit for a queen!!
Linda Shapiro says
Oh Catherine! Your cake is absolutely magnificent and would look lovely on our Mother's Day brunch table! Thank you for sharing your wonderful recipe with us! xoxo
KC the Kitchen Chopper says
I absolutely agree that we need to do the things we imagine doing. The Hubby and I are starting that time of our lives now. When we're young enough to enjoy the sports and travel we love. I glad your birthday was so enjoyable made even more so by that gorgeous, luscious cake.
Big Daddy Dave says
Tammy, The words beautiful and luscious cone to mind! Wow! I can't imagine what this cake doesn't have going for it! I want some now! Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
Rebekah | Kitchen Gidget says
Happy belated birthday! Hopefully this year is as sweet as this cake. 🙂 My dad raises honeybees so I have to show him this gorgeous presentation using honey!
jacqueline | i sugar coat it! says
A cake like this would make any birthday special!
Mark, Compass & Fork says
Well this cake is just magnificently decorated. You should be very pleased with it as it is very appealing. Spring is the best time isn't it?
Sandi (@fearless_dining) says
That is some cake....absolutely gorgeous!!
Peter @ Feed Your Soul Too says
OMG. This is a gorgeous dessert. So many good flavors beginning with the spice cake. Yum.
Lois Christensen says
What an amazing beautiful cake! You outdid yourself with this one!
Diane says
That is an amazing birthday cake! And yes, my hubby and I are also in that time of life when we realize it's time to enjoy our physical health and make the most of it! I wish we could go backwards every year to 18 and retain our knowledge. That would be so cool!
Happy Birthday! Great job on this lovely cake! I just want to dive in! For some reason I can't rate this recipe. But in my opinion, it's a FIVE star!
Michele ~ West Via Midwest says
Can you make a cake for me..... this cake is simply stunning! And I bet it tastes even better. And ps.... I LOVE that quote... the older I get the more I agree with it! Happy belated birthday!
Elizabeth says
How gorgeous is this work of art! I couldn't slice into it to eat it! Stunning!
Katerina says
Happy belated birthday and what a gorgeous cake to celebrate with! I would love one too in my birthday!
Shelley @ Two Healthy Kitchens says
Such beautiful, inspiring reflections in this post! I'm glad you had a lovely birthday ... even if it didn't go as planned! And speaking of lovely ... wow! ... this cake! Absolutely stunning!
Del's cooking twist says
As always you impress me with your wonderful cakes, Catherine. This one is perfect for the new season arriving!!
Melissa Falk says
Catherine, you did it again! This is one of the most gorgeous cakes I have seen. Happy Spring to you!
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking says
This is just beautiful!
Dottie Sauchelli-Balin says
Dear Tammy,
Happy Birthday dear friend...sorry it is late but my thoughts are from my heart. This is an outstanding cake. I love the look of it. Not an ordinary cake but one that is beautiful and fits your personality to a T! (T for Tammy) I love the flowers on the cake as well as the berries. It must have been delicious! You are the baker and this one was a masterpiece. I think that sometimes when we want things to go well and it doesn't go the way we planned, sometimes it is better than if you planned things. Honey spice cake is one I have to try. Thank you for sharing your words, talent, and blessings for a great weekend as well...
Love and hugs 🙂 Dottie
Laura @MotherWouldKnow says
What a gorgeous cake! Hope the birthday celebration lived up to your dreams, even if it didn't come off exactly as planned. Honey cake is traditional for the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah so I'll have to check out this version for next fall.
The-FoodTrotter says
Your cake is so gorgeous! I'm impressed I love all those berries, roses and honey! So lavish 🙂
Nutmeg Nanny says
This cake is so pretty! It's perfect for spring and summer. Plus those berries on top are perfection!
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel says
Such a fun and simple idea for a cake!
Marye says
This cake is stunning, I would love to try it!
Laura @MotherWouldKnow says
What a gorgeous dessert. I don't want to gently take a sweet bite, I want to dive in, face first:)