Orange Ginger Honey Cakes Recipe

Introduction

Orange Ginger Honey Cakes are a delightful treat combining the bright zestiness of orange with the warm spice of ginger. These moist and flavorful cakes are lightly sweetened with raw honey, making them a perfect snack or dessert with a healthful edge.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups flour
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• ½ tsp cinnamon (optional)
• ½ cup brown butter
• ½ cup raw honey
• 2 tbsp fresh orange zest
• ½ cup fresh orange juice
• 2 eggs
• ¼ cup milk

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your baking pans or prepare silicone molds for easy removal.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, ground ginger, and cinnamon if using.
3. Step 3: In another bowl, whisk the brown butter, raw honey, fresh orange zest, orange juice, eggs, and milk until well combined.
4. Step 4: Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, being careful not to overmix to maintain a tender texture.
5. Step 5: Pour the batter into the prepared pans or molds, filling them about ¾ full.
6. Step 6: Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
7. Step 7: Allow the cakes to cool before glazing or frosting as desired.

Tips & Variations

• Use room temperature eggs and milk for even mixing and a smoother batter.
• Brown your butter carefully and let it cool slightly before mixing to enhance flavor without cooking the eggs.
• Zest oranges with a microplane to avoid the bitter white pith.
• For easy removal, use silicone mini bundt molds or line loaf tins with parchment paper.
• Try mini bundt pans for a classic look, loaf tins for gifting, or muffin tins for portable snacks.
• Top with an orange glaze made from powdered sugar and fresh orange juice, honey buttercream, or garnish with candied ginger and edible flowers for a special touch.

Storage

Store the cakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week. To reheat, warm gently in the microwave for 10–15 seconds or until just warm. If frozen, thaw at room temperature before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I substitute fresh orange juice and zest with bottled orange juice?

Fresh orange juice and zest provide the brightest flavor, but bottled juice can be used if fresh is unavailable. Reduce any added sugar accordingly, and note the flavor may be less vibrant.

What can I use instead of brown butter?

If you don’t have time to brown butter, you can use melted unsalted butter at room temperature. Browning adds nutty depth, but the cakes will still be delicious without it.

Orange Ginger Honey Cakes Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 130 reviews

Delight in these moist and spicy Orange Ginger Honey Cakes, perfectly balanced with the natural sweetness of honey and the zesty brightness of fresh orange. Infused with warming ginger and a hint of cinnamon, these cakes are made tender with brown butter and fresh ingredients, offering a flavorful treat that’s as nourishing as it is delicious.

• Author: Lisa
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 8 mini cakes or 1 standard loaf cake 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• ½ tsp cinnamon (optional)

Wet Ingredients

• ½ cup brown butter (butter cooked until golden and nutty)
• ½ cup raw honey
• 2 tbsp fresh orange zest
• ½ cup fresh orange juice
• 2 large eggs
• ¼ cup milk

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your chosen baking pans, such as silicone mini bundt molds, loaf tins, muffin tins, or a sheet cake pan, to ensure easy removal of the cakes.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, ground ginger, and optional cinnamon until evenly combined.
3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate large bowl, whisk together the cooled brown butter, raw honey, fresh orange zest, fresh orange juice, eggs, and milk until the mixture is smooth and uniform.
4. Combine Mixtures: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined to maintain a tender texture. Be careful not to overmix, which can toughen the cake.
5. Fill Pans and Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pans, filling them about ¾ full to allow room for rising. Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
6. Cool and Finish: Allow the cakes to cool completely in their pans before removing. Once cooled, optionally glaze or frost the cakes with your choice of toppings, such as an orange glaze, honey buttercream, or garnish with candied ginger, orange peel, or edible flowers.

Notes

• Use room temperature eggs and milk for best mixing results.
• Brown the butter carefully to avoid burning and let it cool slightly before combining with other ingredients.
• Use a microplane to zest the orange for maximum flavor without bitter pith.
• Don’t overmix the batter to keep the cake light and tender.
• Experiment with different baking pans depending on the occasion and serving style.
• Try topping ideas like orange glaze or candied ginger to enhance flavor and presentation.

Keywords: orange cake, ginger cake, honey cake, brown butter cake, citrus desserts, moist cake, spiced cake, healthy desserts