Honig Torte (German Honey Cake) (Honey Cake)

Member Name: sweetpea01

Product:	Honey Cake
Date:	22/05/09 (80 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great tasting cake

Disadvantages: None

I first tried honey cake in a small down called Middleburg in Holland, just about an hour from the border of Belgium. Mr Sweetpea and I were looking for a cafe for breakfast and a coffee when we stumbled upon the most unique looking bakery! After much deliberation I opted for th honey cake (which I love anyway) but it was sprinkled with almonds and looked perfect.

Since my wonderful honey experience I have tried long and hard to re-create a similar receipe! After alot of attempts I think I've come quite close. The receipe I will be giving creates a beautiful tasting cake which is ideal for kids, adults - anyone really!

Honey cakes are among the earliest to be found throughout the world. They were usually prepared for festivals and celebrations. There are a variety of countries that have their own take on honey cakes, for example German as Lebkuchen which is another form a honey cake, but it has a consistencey of a cookie.

Ingredients

3 teaspoons instant coffee granules
225m (8 fl oz) hot water
4 eggs, separated
150g (5 oz) caster sugar
5 tablespoons vegetable oil
225g (8 oz) honey
375g (13 oz) plain flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 dessertspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice

Preparation method

1. Mix coffee in hot water, and then cool.
2. In a large bowl, beat the yolks with the sugar until creamy. Add the oil and then the honey, beating after each addition. Beat until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
3. Sift the flour. Combine with salt, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and spices. Add these dry ingredients alternately with the coffee to the honey mixture, stirring only until blended. Do not overmix.
4. Whip egg whites until stiff. Fold in three additions into the batter. Pour into 2 greased 20cm (8 in) square pans.
5. Bake at 160 C / Gas mark 3 for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the centre of cake comes out clean.
6. Sprinkle almonds over the top (optional)

The above receipe makes two cakes, so if you only want to make one then you can just halve the quantities. Each cake will give 12 slices and takes about 50 minutes to prepare. All the ingredients are readily available in a supermarket and are relatively cheap, so you won't be breaking the bank!

Summary: I can't believe this is German!!