Honey Cake

Honey is a versatile ingredient which is used as a healthy alternative to sugar and also in various health concoctions like the morning lemon-honey mix with hot water,crushed with Tulsi (holy Basil leaves) for longevity and sore throat cure or with a pinch of black pepper for again a sore throat cure.

It is also used in preparations like salads,curries and desserts.This Honey Cake was made for a formal party and was the cynosure of all eyes.I served it with coffee and overall it was a winner!

NOTE : I have served it plain but if you want you can either drizzle the top with honey or make a glaze of honey and lemon juice or honey,milk and vanilla essence and pour on top.Either ways delicious!

Preparation Time : 1 hour

Makes : 20 servings

INGREDIENTS

2 1/2 cups plus 2 tbsp plain flour/all purpose flour/maida

1 cup honey

1 cup butter/refined oil

1 cup powdered sugar

2 tsp baking powder

6 eggs

2 tsp vanilla essence

1/2 cup cream/whole milk

2 – 3 drops lemon yellow colour (optional)

METHOD

Preheat oven to 200°C.Prepare an angel cake pan,a bundt pan or any cake pan (of similar volume) you like.

Take butter/oil and sugar in a large bowl and beat with an electric beater till smooth and creamy.Add honey and beat for 5 minutes.Add eggs beating well after each addition.The mixture would initially be a little “tight” but will normalise after the addition of the 4th egg.Add the vanilla essence and colour (if using) and mix well.

Sift flour and baking powder in a bowl.Add 2 tbsp at a time to the honey-egg mixture and beat with the electric beater until all the flour is used up.

Pour into the prepared cake pan and thump on the kitchen countertop to remove any excess air from inside.Transfer to the oven and reduce heat to 180°C.Bake for 20 – 25 minutes till risen and with a beautiful dark brown top.A skewer inserted in the centre should come out clean.

Cool for 30 minutes inside the pan and take out on a plate.Cool to room temperature and slice to make approximately 20 portions.Store in an airtight glass container.Serve with tea or coffee.

Served with coffee….