There’s something irresistibly nostalgic and deeply comforting about a perfectly baked Honey Cake. With its plush crumb, warm spice, and rich sweetness, this timeless treat fills your kitchen with a heady aroma—and invites everyone to share a slice. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or craving a weekday pick-me-up, this cake is lush, flavorful, and endlessly crowd-pleasing. It’s the kind of recipe that quickly becomes a cherished tradition wherever it’s served.

Ingredients You’ll Need
Making a fantastic Honey Cake is all about simple but thoughtful ingredients. Each item on this list brings something special: warmth from spices, depth from honey, and tenderness thanks to oil and coffee. It’s proof that a handful of pantry staples can create something magical.
- All-purpose flour: The trusted base for a tender, sturdy crumb that supports all the delicious flavors.
- Baking powder: A must for lifting the cake and giving it an airy, fluffy texture.
- Baking soda: Works hand-in-hand with the acidic elements for the cake’s perfect rise.
- Salt: Just a touch sharpens sweetness and enhances every note.
- Ground cinnamon: Brings coziness and pairs beautifully with honey’s floral depth.
- Ground ginger: Adds gentle heat and a subtle, sophisticated zing.
- Ground cloves: For that faint, spicy mystery in each bite.
- Eggs: Provide structure, richness, and help bind the batter seamlessly.
- Granulated sugar: Gives a clean, sweet backbone to balance strong flavors.
- Honey: The star! Offers natural sweetness, moisture, and an unmistakably warm fragrance.
- Light brown sugar (packed): Brings caramel notes and extra softness.
- Strong brewed coffee, cooled: Surprising but essential—it deepens and rounds out the cake’s flavor.
- Vegetable oil: Keeps every slice melt-in-your-mouth tender and moist, even days later.
- Orange juice: Lifts the overall flavor profile with citrusy brightness.
- Vanilla extract: A dash of vanilla ties all the sweet and spicy notes together.
- Orange zest (optional): For a fragrant, zesty twist that makes the cake extra special.
How to Make Honey Cake
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s perfectly hot once your batter’s ready—this helps the Honey Cake rise beautiful and even. Take a moment to generously grease and flour a 9-inch round or square cake pan, or a 9×5-inch loaf pan. This step ensures your cake releases effortlessly, leaving every crumb intact.
Step 2: Mix Up the Dry Ingredients
Grab a large mixing bowl and whisk together your flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Whisking well now scatters the leaveners and spices evenly, guaranteeing every bite is seasoned and fluffed just right.
Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients
In a separate large bowl, beat the eggs together with granulated sugar, honey, and light brown sugar until the mixture is smooth and silky. Add the cooled strong coffee, vegetable oil, orange juice, vanilla extract, and, if you like, a big burst of orange zest. The blend should appear glossy and well-combined—a dreamy canvas for your cake.
Step 4: Bring It All Together
Now, gently fold your dry mixture into the wet ingredients. Add in batches, mixing just until you see no more streaks of flour. This keeps the batter airy and prevents toughness, letting your Honey Cake stay light but decadent.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Pour the batter into your prepared pan, taking care to smooth the top with a spatula. Slide it into the oven and bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center emerges clean, without any sticky crumbs. Your kitchen will smell intoxicating—the hardest part is waiting!
Step 6: Cool and Unmold
Let your freshly baked cake rest in the pan for about 10 minutes—this makes turning it out far easier. Afterward, carefully transfer your Honey Cake onto a wire rack and let it cool completely. This patience pays off, as the flavors deepen and the texture sets to pillowy perfection.
How to Serve Honey Cake

Garnishes
A classic dusting of powdered sugar is timeless and highlights the cake’s bronzed crust. For a touch of elegance, scatter orange zest or a few chopped toasted nuts on top. Even a tiny drizzle of warm honey as you slice can be pure bliss.
Side Dishes
You can’t go wrong pairing Honey Cake with a generous dollop of whipped cream or a side of crème fraîche for richness. For a refreshing spin, try serving it alongside fresh berries or an orange salad—the brightness of fruit is a lovely contrast to the cake’s warm, sweet flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
Slice your Honey Cake into thin fingers and serve on a rustic board with small bowls of Greek yogurt, fresh fruit, and spiced nuts for a beautiful brunch spread. Alternatively, turn individual slices into decadent trifles layered with whipped cream and berries, or toast leftover pieces for a cozy dessert topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Honey Cake seems to get better as it sits, and wrapping any remaining slices tightly in plastic wrap keeps them moist for days. Store at room temperature in an airtight container or wrap in foil for up to 4 days—if it lasts that long!
Freezing
This cake freezes like a dream. Once completely cool, wrap whole or sliced Honey Cake in two layers of plastic wrap and slip it into a zip-top freezer bag. It’ll keep in the freezer for up to 2 months with no loss of flavor—just thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
Reheating
If you’d like your Honey Cake a bit warm, heat individual slices gently in the microwave for about 10–15 seconds. For larger pieces, cover with foil and rewarm in a low oven (about 300°F) for 5–10 minutes to restore that just-baked aroma and softness.
FAQs
Can I make this Honey Cake gluten-free?
Absolutely! Swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. Just double-check the texture—the batter should be thick but pourable—and keep an eye on the bake time, which may vary slightly.
What kind of honey works best for this recipe?
Mild, floral honeys (like clover or wildflower) are wonderful and won’t overpower the spices. Darker honeys add a richer, more pronounced flavor—choose your favorite, or experiment for a flavor profile you love.
Can I skip the coffee or substitute something else?
If you prefer, you can substitute decaf coffee or even strong black tea for a similar depth. For a caffeine-free option, water works, but you’ll miss a little of that background richness.
Is it necessary to add orange zest?
Orange zest isn’t strictly required, but it really lifts the cake’s flavor and gives it a bright twist. If you have a fresh orange handy, it’s absolutely worth adding.
Why is my Honey Cake better the next day?
Letting the cake rest overnight lets the spices and honey “marry,” deepening the flavors and making the crumb even more moist and tender. It’s the rare dessert that truly improves with a little patience!
Final Thoughts
Homemade Honey Cake is a joy to bake and a delight to share. Try this recipe soon—you’ll find yourself reaching for it any time you need a comforting treat, a sweet morning bite, or a show-stopping centerpiece for your favorite gathering.
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Honey Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the rich, sweet flavors of this classic Honey Cake. Perfect for celebrations or as a delightful treat with a cup of tea, this moist and aromatic cake will surely become a family favorite.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Wet Ingredients:
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup honey
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup strong brewed coffee, cooled
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon orange zest (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare your baking pan.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves.
- Prepare Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, beat eggs with sugars, honey, and oil. Add coffee, orange juice, vanilla, and zest.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, mixing until just combined.
- Bake: Pour batter into pan and bake for 45-55 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Cool in the pan, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Notes
- This cake tastes even better the next day as flavors meld together.
- Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap to maintain its moisture.
- Dust with powdered sugar before serving for an extra touch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Jewish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 26g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg