Citrus Spice Honey Cake Delight
Inspired by a cherished recipe from the 1998 publication, A Treasury of Jewish Holiday Baking, this Citrus Spice Honey Cake Delight is a luscious and aromatic cake that beautifully balances the flavors of honey and citrus. Ideal for Shabbat or any festive occasion, this cake is incredibly versatile — you can use either brewed tea or strong coffee for a unique twist. The addition of orange marmalade not only sweetens the batter but also adds a citrusy brightness that elevates every bite, while the warm spices of cinnamon, cloves, and allspice create an inviting aroma. Topped with slivered almonds and a light dusting of powdered sugar, this cake is sure to be a hit with family and friends. Perfect for sharing, this cake makes 14 generous servings, allowing everyone to indulge in its delightful flavors.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
Vegetable oil
1 cup (measured)
Honey (light)
1/4 cup (measured)
Granulated sugar
1 cup (measured)
Brown sugar (packed)
1/3 cup (packed and measured)
Orange marmalade
1/2 cup (measured)
Eggs
4 (beaten)
All-purpose flour
3 cups (measured)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (measured)
Baking soda
1/2 teaspoon (measured)
Baking powder
1 tablespoon (measured)
Ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons (measured)
Ground cloves
1 teaspoon (measured)
Ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon (measured)
Brewed tea
1 cup (just warm)
Slivered almonds
1/3 cup (measured)
Powdered sugar
1/4 cup (for dusting)
Orange zest
1 orange (shredded)
Instructions
1
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease only the bottom of a 10-inch tube pan and line the bottom with parchment paper to ensure easy removal after baking.
2
In a medium mixing bowl, combine vegetable oil, light honey, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and orange marmalade. Mix until well blended and smooth.
3
Add the eggs to the mixture and beat until fully integrated and the mixture is creamy.
4
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and ground allspice until evenly combined.
5
Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the wet mixture along with the brewed tea. Stir slowly, either by hand or using an electric mixer at low speed, until a smooth and loose batter forms.
6
Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Generously sprinkle the almonds over the batter.
7
Place the pan on two stacked baking sheets to prevent the bottom from browning too quickly. Bake in the preheated oven for 55-60 minutes or until the top of the cake springs back when lightly pressed.
8
Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes before carefully removing it. Transfer the cake to a wire rack to cool completely.
9
Before serving, dust the cooled cake with powdered sugar and garnish with a sprinkle of shredded orange zest for an added touch of flavor and presentation.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main flavor of the Citrus Spice Honey Cake Delight?
The cake features a luscious and aromatic balance of honey, citrus, and warm spices like cinnamon and cloves.
What inspired this recipe?
This recipe was inspired by a cherished 1998 publication titled A Treasury of Jewish Holiday Baking.
How many servings does this honey cake make?
This recipe makes 14 generous servings.
What kind of pan is required for this cake?
A 10-inch tube pan is recommended for this recipe.
How should I prepare the baking pan?
Grease only the bottom of the pan and line it with parchment paper to ensure easy removal.
Can I substitute the brewed tea with something else?
Yes, you can use strong coffee instead of brewed tea for a unique flavor twist.
What is the purpose of adding orange marmalade?
The orange marmalade sweetens the batter and adds a citrusy brightness to the cake.
What spices are used in this recipe?
The cake uses ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and ground allspice.
At what temperature should the oven be preheated?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
How do I prevent the bottom of the cake from browning too quickly?
Place the cake pan on two stacked baking sheets while baking.
How long should the cake bake?
The cake should bake for 55 to 60 minutes.
How do I know when the cake is done?
The cake is done when the top springs back after being lightly pressed.
How long should the cake cool in the pan?
Allow it to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes before removing it.
What are the suggested toppings for this cake?
The cake is topped with slivered almonds, a dusting of powdered sugar, and shredded orange zest.
What kind of honey should I use?
Light honey is specified for this recipe.
What type of oil is used in the batter?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of vegetable oil.
Does the recipe use brown or white sugar?
It uses both: 1 cup of granulated sugar and 1/3 cup of packed brown sugar.
How many eggs are needed?
The recipe requires 4 eggs, which should be beaten.
How much flour is included in the recipe?
The recipe uses 3 cups of all-purpose flour.
What leavening agents are used?
Both baking soda (1/2 teaspoon) and baking powder (1 tablespoon) are used.
What is the texture of the batter?
The final batter should be smooth and loose.
When do I add the slivered almonds?
Generously sprinkle the almonds over the batter once it is poured into the pan, before baking.
Should the brewed tea be hot or cold when added?
The brewed tea should be just warm when mixed into the batter.
Is this cake suitable for specific holidays?
Yes, it is ideal for Shabbat or any festive Jewish holiday occasion.
How should I finish the cake for presentation?
Dust the cooled cake with 1/4 cup of powdered sugar and garnish with shredded orange zest.
What is the first step in mixing the ingredients?
Combine the vegetable oil, light honey, both sugars, and orange marmalade in a medium bowl.
Do I need an electric mixer?
You can stir the batter either by hand or using an electric mixer at low speed.
How much ground cinnamon is used?
The recipe calls for 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon.
How much ground cloves are required?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of ground cloves.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 17 ingredients in this Citrus Spice Honey Cake Delight recipe.