Beltane Honey Cake Recipe || Bakery Cook (2024)

As the days grow longer and nature comes to life with vibrant colors, Beltane marks the beginning of the warmer season.

It is a time of fertility, growth, and merriment. Beltane Honey Cake has become a cherished tradition during this festival, symbolizing sweetness and the bounty of nature.

Let’s embrace this ancient custom and create a honey-infused cake that will not only please your taste buds but also connect you to the spirit of Beltane.

Beltane Honey Cake Recipe || Bakery Cook (1)

Table of Contents

The Significance of Beltane and Honey Cakes

Beltane, celebrated on May 1st, is a Gaelic festival marking the midpoint between the spring equinox and the summer solstice.

It is a time of joyful celebrations, dancing around maypoles, and kindling bonfires to honor the sun’s life-giving energy.

Honey Cakes hold great significance during this festival as they represent prosperity, renewal, and the sweetness of life.

How To Prepare Beltane Honey Cake Recipe?

Preparation Time: 20 minutes

Cooking Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Yield: 8 servings

Equipment Needed:

  • 9-inch round cake pan
  • Parchment paper
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk or electric mixer
  • Wooden spoon
  • Cooling rack

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Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Cake:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup buttermilk

For the Honey Glaze:

  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Making Method:

Preparing the Cake Batter

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan and line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Set the dry mixture aside.

In another bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the honey and continue mixing until well combined.

Beat in the eggs, one at a time, and then add the vanilla extract.

Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, alternating with buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.

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Incorporating the Honey

Pour the cake batter into the prepared cake pan, smoothing the top with a spatula to ensure even baking.

Place the cake pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Baking the Cake

While the cake is baking, prepare the honey glaze. In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.

Add the honey, brown sugar, and heavy cream to the melted butter. Stir continuously until the mixture comes to a gentle boil.

Reduce the heat and let the glaze simmer for 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.

Once the cake is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 5 minutes.

Transfer the cake to a cooling rack and poke several holes on the surface using a toothpick.

Pour the warm honey glaze over the cake, allowing it to seep into the holes and cover the top evenly.

Nutrition Facts Of Beltane Honey Cake Recipe

NutritionAmount
Calories397
Total Fat22g
Cholesterol263mg
Sodium572mg
Carbohydrates46g
Fiber2g
Sugars23g
Protein17g
Beltane Honey Cake Recipe || Bakery Cook (6)

Is Beltane Honey Cake Recipe Delicious?

Yes, it is! The recipe itself is great, and the combination of meat, egg, and honey tastes delicious.

There is no doubt that you will love this recipe. Beltane Honey Cake Recipe may sound like a weird name for a recipe, but there is a funny story behind the naming.

Can Beltane Honey Cake Recipe Be Stored In The Freezer?

Yes, the beltane honey cake recipe can be frozen you only need to thaw it before eating it.

You can store this food in the fridge, but don’t put it in the freezer or leave it too long because that will spoil your food.

How To Freeze Beltane Honey Cake Recipe?

1. You need to wrap your Beltane honey cake well, and you can use plastic wrap or aluminum foil. It would be best to wrap it tightly so the juice in your food will not escape.

2. You must put it inside a freezer bag and freeze it for a few hours.

3. If you want to eat it later, you can thaw your Beltane honey cake but make sure it is still cold and then put it in the fridge until you’re ready to eat.

4. Ensure you eat it while your food is fresh and cold.

How To Make With More Delicious?

1. You can add more seasonings to your Beltane honey cake recipe.

2. You can also add vegetables and meat of your choice.

3. You can add some herbs such as parsley, oregano, marjoram, and rosemary for a better taste of your cake.

4. You also need to use good quality pork chops or sausages in the recipe because they will help you to make the recipe delicious and yummy.

Conclusion

As you indulge in this Beltane Honey Cake, savor the sweetness that comes not only from the honey but also from the richness of tradition and celebration.

This cake is a delightful representation of the seasonal transition and the joyous spirit of Beltane.

So, gather your loved ones, light the bonfire, and enjoy this scrumptious treat together as you welcome the vibrant energy of spring.

FAQ

Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?

While it’s possible, the texture and taste of the cake may be affected. It’s best to stick to all-purpose flour for the classic Beltane Honey Cake.

How long can I store the cake?

The cake can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. For longer storage, refrigerate the cake for up to one week.

Can I make the cake ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the cake a day in advance and add the honey glaze just before serving for a fresh and moist cake.

Can I substitute honey with another sweetener?

While honey is an integral part of this recipe, you can experiment with other liquid sweeteners like maple syrup or agave. However, keep in mind that it may alter the taste and texture of the cake.

Beltane Honey Cake Recipe || Bakery Cook (2024)

FAQs

What is the history of Beltane cake? ›

In 1769, Thomas Pennant wrote of Beltane bonfires in Perthshire, where a caudle made from eggs, butter, oatmeal and milk was cooked. Some of the mixture was poured on the ground as a libation. Everyone would then take an oatmeal cake, called a bannoch Bealltainn or "Beltane bannock", which had nine knobs on it.

What does honey do to cake? ›

What Does Honey do in Baking? Honey is a 'humectant'. This means that it retains moisture- great news for baking as it helps keep biscuits and cake moist. Honey compared with traditional refined sugar, also means you gain a richer colour and fuller flavour.

Where did honey cake originated? ›

However, most associate it with Russian (Medovik), Middle Eastern or Jewish traditional food. Some say it originated as we know it today through Italy in the 12th century. Even though, there are traces of honey being used in Egypt, in a more simplified version as honey mixed with yeast or barley.

What is the best honey for baking cakes? ›

Clover Honey

It is known for its sweet taste, which can add a great deal of flavor without overpowering the recipe. One of the most popular uses for clover honey is honey cake.

What does Beltane stand for? ›

This festival is often commemorated with bonfires, maypoles, dancing, and performing fertility rituals. Beltane is a Celtic word, meaning “the fires of Bel.” Bel, likely referred to the Celtic sun god, Belenus.

Who is the goddess of Beltane? ›

She is the manifestation of growth and renewal, Flora, the Goddess of Spring, the May Queen, the May Bride. The Young Oak King, as Jack-In-The-Green, as the Green Man, falls in love with the Goddess and wins her hand. The union is consummated and the May Queen becomes pregnant.

Is Beltane Irish or Scottish? ›

Beltane, festival held on the first day of May in Ireland and Scotland, celebrating the beginning of summer and open pasturing. Beltane is first mentioned in a glossary attributed to Cormac, bishop of Cashel and king of Munster, who was killed in 908.

Do bakeries use honey? ›

Honey also is used in bakery foods to enhance the flavors of other ingredients.

Why can't you bake with honey? ›

Honey is more liquid than sugar, changing the consistency of your baked goods. Honey is more acidic than sugar and will change the flavor of your baked goods. Honey browns more quickly than sugar, which can result in overbaked goods.

How long does honey cake last? ›

So the honey cake does not dry out so much while it is stored. The cake should be stored in an airtight container and should be fine for up to 1 week. However it must be kept in a cool place as if you keep moist cakes in a warm environment then it can encourage mould to develop. The cake also freezes well.

What is a fun fact about honey cake? ›

In fact, the dessert is one of the oldest in the world, made by every major civilization since the Ancient Egyptians. It has assumed a multitude of forms, from syrup-soaked nut cakes to multilayered cream confections. It has been loved and hated, endlessly revised and reworked. And yes, it is still worth making.

Is honey cake Ukrainian or Russian? ›

Origins. According to Russian tradition, the cake was created in the 19th century in the Russian Empire by a young chef who sought to impress Empress Elizabeth Alexeievna, wife of Alexander I. Empress Elizabeth could not stand honey, and any dish made with it drove her mad.

What is a honey cake slang? ›

(slang) Term of endearment for a young woman.

Does honey cake contain honey? ›

A good honey cake is made with honey as the primary sweetener. It will probably also have some granulated sugar, because that contributes to the structure, but it isn't honey cake without honey in the mix. The recipe I use also includes orange juice and whiskey, but that's just me.

Can I substitute honey for sugar? ›

To substitute 1 cup of sugar: Use 2/3 cup honey. Honey is sweeter than sugar, so you need to use less. Decrease other liquids in the recipe by 1/4 cup, because there's water in the honey too.

Can honey be used in baking cakes? ›

Honey results in a moister, fluffier texture.

While you sometimes want the drier, crisper texture of sugar — such as when baking gingersnaps — many cakes, cupcakes and other baked goods benefit from the texture of honey.

Can I use honey instead of sugar in my cake? ›

Honey is much sweeter than sugar, so use 1/2 - 2/3 cup honey for every cup of sugar in your recipe. Because honey is sweeter than sugar, you might not want to substitute at a 1-1 ratio (even though you can up to one cup). We recommend experimenting with a ratio of 1/2 - 2/3 cups honey to 1 cup sugar.

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