Honey Cake, Bakery Style Honey Tea Cake

Enjoy the bakery-style honey tea cake with a hot cup of tea or coffee. The honey syrup and glaze add a delightful sweetness to the cake, making it a perfect treat for any occasion.

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup honey
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup buttermilk

For the honey syrup:

• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup water

For the honey glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1-2 tablespoons milk

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the honey and mix well.
4. Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the buttermilk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
8. While the cake is baking, prepare the honey syrup. In a small saucepan, heat the honey and water over low heat until the honey is dissolved. Remove from heat and set aside.
9. Once the cake is baked, remove it from the oven and place it on a wire rack. While it is still hot, poke several holes all over the top of the cake using a skewer or toothpick.
10. Slowly pour the honey syrup over the hot cake, allowing it to soak in. Let the cake cool completely in the pan.
11. Prepare the honey glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar, honey, and milk in a small bowl until smooth and pourable. Adjust the consistency with more milk or powdered sugar if needed.
12. Once the cake has cooled, remove it from the pan and drizzle the honey glaze over the top of the cake.
13. Allow the glaze to set before slicing and serving the honey cake.