Greek Honey Cake Recipe

Introduction

Greek Honey Cake is a fragrant and moist dessert that beautifully balances warm spices and rich honey. This cake soaks up a luscious honey syrup, creating a tender and flavorful treat perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup granulated sugar (for batter)
• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 cup full-fat Greek yogurt, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup water
• ¾ cup granulated sugar (for syrup)
• ¾ cup high-quality honey (Greek thyme or orange blossom honey recommended)
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 3-4 whole cloves
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• Zest of 1 orange
• Zest of 1 lemon

Instructions

1. Step 1: Prepare the honey syrup first. In a medium saucepan, combine the water, ¾ cup granulated sugar, cinnamon stick, whole cloves, orange zest, and lemon zest. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer gently for 10 minutes to infuse the flavors.
2. Step 2: Remove the saucepan from heat. Stir in the honey and fresh lemon juice until the honey dissolves. Strain the syrup through a fine mesh sieve to remove the spices and citrus zest. Set aside to cool completely while preparing the cake.
3. Step 3: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9 inch square or 9-inch round cake pan with olive oil or butter, then lightly dust with flour, tapping out any excess.
4. Step 4: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and salt. Sifting is recommended for an even mixture.
5. Step 5: In a separate large bowl, rub the 1 cup granulated sugar with the orange and lemon zest using your fingertips to release the oils. Add the olive oil and whisk until combined.
6. Step 6: Add the eggs one at a time to the sugar and oil mixture, whisking well after each. Then whisk in the Greek yogurt and vanilla extract until smooth and fully blended.
7. Step 7: Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Gently fold with a spatula until just combined; some small lumps are okay. Avoid overmixing to keep the cake tender.
8. Step 8: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 35-45 minutes until golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
9. Step 9: Remove the cake from the oven and immediately poke holes all over the surface with a skewer or fork to help the syrup soak in.
10. Step 10: Slowly pour the cooled honey syrup evenly over the hot cake. Let the cake absorb the syrup at room temperature for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, uncovered.
11. Step 11: Once fully soaked and cooled, garnish with crushed walnuts, pistachios, or a sprinkle of cinnamon if desired. Cut and serve.

Tips & Variations

• Use Greek thyme or orange blossom honey for an authentic floral flavor.
• Sifting the dry ingredients ensures a lighter cake texture.
• Letting the syrup cool before pouring prevents the cake from becoming soggy.
• Serve with a dollop of Greek yogurt or whipped cream for extra richness.
• For a nutty texture, fold in chopped walnuts or almonds into the batter before baking.

Storage

Store the cake covered at room temperature for up to 3 days. The cake stays moist thanks to the syrup but avoid refrigeration which can dry it out. Reheat slices gently in a microwave if desired.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of honey?

Yes, any good-quality honey will work, but traditional Greek thyme or orange blossom honeys provide the best flavor that complements the spices.

Do I have to use Greek yogurt?

Greek yogurt adds creaminess and moisture, but you can substitute with plain yogurt or sour cream if needed, keeping the same quantity.

Greek Honey Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 52 reviews

Greek Honey Cake is a moist and fragrant dessert that perfectly balances warm spices, honey, and citrus. This traditional cake features a tender crumb infused with cinnamon and cloves, soaked in a luscious honey syrup made with aromatic spices and fresh lemon juice. Ideal for enjoying as a sweet treat with tea or coffee, it showcases classic Greek flavors with a comforting texture and rich taste.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes plus soaking time (preferably overnight)
• Yield: 8–10 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Greek
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ½ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

• 1 cup granulated sugar (for batter)
• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 cup full-fat Greek yogurt, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Zest of 1 orange
• Zest of 1 lemon

Honey Syrup

• 1 cup water
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ¾ cup high-quality honey (Greek thyme or orange blossom honey recommended)
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 3–4 whole cloves
• Peel of 1 orange (large strips)
• Peel of 1 lemon (large strips)
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Instructions

1. Prepare the Honey Syrup: In a medium saucepan, combine water, ¾ cup granulated sugar, cinnamon stick, whole cloves, orange peel, and lemon peel. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat while stirring until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer gently for 10 minutes to infuse the flavors.
2. Finish the Syrup: Remove saucepan from heat. Stir in honey and fresh lemon juice until fully dissolved. Strain syrup through a fine-mesh sieve to remove spices and peels. Set aside to cool completely.
3. Preheat and Prepare the Pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9 inch square or 9-inch round cake pan with olive oil or butter. Dust lightly with flour and tap out excess to prevent sticking.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and salt. Sift to ensure even distribution and no lumps.
5. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, rub orange and lemon zest into 1 cup granulated sugar using fingertips until fragrant. Add olive oil and whisk until well combined.
6. Add Eggs and Yogurt: Add eggs one at a time to the sugar and oil mixture, whisking well after each until light and creamy. Whisk in Greek yogurt and vanilla extract until smooth and fully incorporated.
7. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Pour dry ingredients into wet ingredients. Gently fold with a spatula until just combined, careful not to overmix. Small lumps are fine.
8. Bake the Cake: Pour batter into prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 35-45 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
9. Syrup the Cake: Remove cake from oven while hot. Poke holes all over surface with a skewer or fork to allow syrup absorption.
10. Let it Soak: Pour cooled honey syrup slowly and evenly over the hot cake. Allow cake to soak at room temperature for at least 2 hours or preferably overnight without covering.
11. Serve and Enjoy: Once fully soaked and cooled, optionally garnish with crushed walnuts, pistachios, or a sprinkle of cinnamon. Cut into squares or wedges and serve.

Notes

• Ensure syrup is fully cooled before pouring over hot cake to prevent melting the cake unevenly.
• Use room temperature eggs and yogurt for a smooth batter consistency.
• Do not overmix batter to maintain a tender crumb.
• Allowing the cake to soak overnight results in the best flavor and texture.
• High-quality honey such as Greek thyme or orange blossom enhances authenticity and flavor.
• Garnishing with nuts or cinnamon adds texture and visual appeal but is optional.

Keywords: Greek honey cake, traditional Greek dessert, honey syrup cake, spiced cake, olive oil cake, Greek yogurt cake