Soft Glow Golden Honey Cake

Featured in: Warm Rustic Bake & Roast Dishes

This soft and tender golden cake boasts a delicate crumb sweetened with mild liquid honey, creating a rich, buttery flavor with floral notes. The batter combines creamed butter and sugar with eggs, vanilla, and a touch of milk, giving it moistness and depth. Baked to a light golden hue, it finishes with an optional honey-butter glaze that adds shine and extra sweetness. Perfect for afternoon tea or as a comforting dessert, this cake pairs beautifully with fresh berries or whipped cream. Mild honey varieties like clover or acacia enhance its delicate aroma and flavor.

Updated on Sat, 06 Dec 2025 11:43:00 GMT
Soft glow golden honey pound cake, sliced and ready to serve, is moist and fragrant with honey. Save to Pinterest
Soft glow golden honey pound cake, sliced and ready to serve, is moist and fragrant with honey. | mosscedar.com

A tender, buttery pound cake with a delicate golden crumb, sweetened with luscious honey for a comforting, aromatic treat. Perfect for afternoon tea or as a delightful dessert.

This cake has become a beloved treat in my family, always bringing warmth and smiles during afternoon tea.

Ingredients

  • Dry Ingredients: 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour 1 ½ tsp baking powder ½ tsp fine sea salt
  • Wet Ingredients: 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar ½ cup (120 ml) mild liquid honey 4 large eggs, room temperature 2 tsp pure vanilla extract ½ cup (120 ml) whole milk, room temperature
  • Optional Glaze: 2 tbsp honey 1 tbsp unsalted butter

Instructions

Step 1:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x5-inch (23x13 cm) loaf pan or line with parchment paper.
Step 2:
In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
Step 3:
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
Step 4:
Add honey and mix until fully incorporated.
Step 5:
Beat in eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
Step 6:
Add dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with milk, beginning and ending with flour. Mix gently until just combined do not overmix.
Step 7:
Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
Step 8:
Bake for 50 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Step 9:
Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 10:
For an optional glaze, melt 2 tbsp honey with 1 tbsp butter and brush over the warm cake.
A warm slice of honey pound cake, golden-brown and textured, is perfect for dessert. Save to Pinterest
A warm slice of honey pound cake, golden-brown and textured, is perfect for dessert. | mosscedar.com

Sharing this pound cake has created many cherished family moments over tea and conversation.

Required Tools

9x5-inch loaf pan Electric mixer Mixing bowls Sifter Cooling rack Pastry brush for glaze

Allergen Information

Contains Wheat (gluten), eggs, milk (dairy). Check all ingredient labels if you have allergies unsalted butter and vanilla extract may contain traces of allergens.

Nutritional Information

Calories 310 Total Fat 15 g Carbohydrates 40 g Protein 4 g per serving

Buttery honey pound cake with a crackly top, invitingly displayed after baking in the oven. Save to Pinterest
Buttery honey pound cake with a crackly top, invitingly displayed after baking in the oven. | mosscedar.com

This honey pound cake is perfect for any occasion and sure to become a favorite.

Recipe Frequently Asked Questions

What type of honey works best in this cake?

Mild honeys such as clover or acacia are recommended to complement the buttery texture without overpowering the delicate flavors.

Can I substitute milk in the batter?

Whole milk provides moisture and richness, but you can use other milk varieties to suit dietary needs while maintaining texture.

How do I know when the cake is fully baked?

Insert a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached when baked through.

What’s the purpose of the honey glaze?

The honey glaze adds a glossy sheen and an extra layer of sweetness, enhancing both appearance and flavor.

How should I store leftovers to keep the cake fresh?

Keep the cake wrapped at room temperature, where it will stay moist and flavorful for up to four days.

Soft Glow Golden Honey Cake

Buttery pound cake with golden crumb and honey sweetness offers a comforting, aromatic treat for any time of day.

Time to Prep
20 minutes
Time to Cook
55 minutes
Overall Time
75 minutes
Recipe by Jacob King


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Type American

Makes 10 Number of Servings

Dietary Details Vegetarian-Friendly

Ingredient List

Dry Ingredients

01 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
03 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

Wet Ingredients

01 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
02 1 cup granulated sugar
03 1/2 cup mild liquid honey
04 4 large eggs, room temperature
05 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
06 1/2 cup whole milk, room temperature

Optional Glaze

01 2 tablespoons honey
02 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

How to Prepare

Step 01

Prepare Oven and Pan: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.

Step 02

Combine Dry Ingredients: Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl; set aside.

Step 03

Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, approximately 3 minutes.

Step 04

Add Honey: Mix in honey until fully incorporated.

Step 05

Incorporate Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in vanilla extract.

Step 06

Alternate Dry Ingredients and Milk: Add dry ingredients to the wet mixture in three parts, alternating with milk, starting and ending with the flour mixture. Mix gently until just combined, avoiding overmixing.

Step 07

Transfer Batter to Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the surface evenly.

Step 08

Bake: Bake for 50 to 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center emerges clean.

Step 09

Cool Cake: Allow to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 10

Apply Optional Glaze: Melt honey and butter together and brush over the warm cake for added gloss and flavor.

What You’ll Need

  • 9x5-inch loaf pan
  • Electric mixer
  • Mixing bowls
  • Sifter
  • Cooling rack
  • Pastry brush

Allergy Details

Always check every ingredient for allergens. Talk to a healthcare provider if you’re not sure.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), eggs, and dairy (milk). Check ingredient labels for potential allergen traces in butter and vanilla extract.

Nutrition Information (each serving)

Nutrition info is for reference only and not a substitute for doctor’s advice.
  • Energy: 310
  • Total Fat: 15 g
  • Carbohydrates: 40 g
  • Total Protein: 4 g