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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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Find it online: https://flavorsbymaya.com/greek-honey-cake-recipe/