Baking Lately: Bourbon Honey Cake

 

If you know me well, you know I love to bake and cook (yes, there's a difference)! Whether it's cooking up a decadent meal or  baking a sweet treat, the kitchen is my oyster.  That's why I  absolutely have to share Barefoot Contessa's Bourbon Honey Cake with you! 

Tip: Something I did differently from the original recipe was using Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Bourbon (instead of Makers Mark), and I really think this made all the difference!!

Bourbon Honey Cake

SERVES 12-16

LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE

Image + Recipe via the Barefoot Contessa

  • 1 cup vegetable oil, plus extra for the pan

  • 3¾ cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for the pan

  • 1½ cups granulated sugar

  • 1 cup honey

  • ½ cup light brown sugar, lightly packed

  • 3 extra-large eggs, at room temperature

  • 2 teaspoons grated orange zest (2 oranges)

  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

  • 1 tablespoon baking powder

  • 1 teaspoon baking soda

  • 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon

  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves

  • ½ teaspoon ground allspice

  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger

  • 1 cup hot coffee

  • ½ cup freshly squeezed orange juice (2 oranges)

  • ¼ cup good bourbon, such as Maker’s Mark

  • ½ cup blanched sliced almonds

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Brush a 9-inch angel food cake pan with a nonremovable bottom with oil, line the bottom with parchment paper, then oil and flour the pan.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix the oil, granulated sugar, honey, brown sugar, eggs, orange zest, and vanilla on medium speed for one minute. In another bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, cloves, allspice, and ginger and blend. Combine the coffee, orange juice, and bourbon in a 2-cup glass measuring cup. With the mixer on low, alternately add the flour and liquid mixtures to the oil-sugar mixture in thirds, beginning and ending with flour, until combined. Scrape down the bowl with a rubber spatula. Don’t worry; the batter will be very liquid!

Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Rap the pan 5 times on the counter to get rid of any bubbles in the batter. Sprinkle the top with the almonds. Bake in the center of the oven for 40 to 45 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool completely, then remove from the pan and place almond side up on a flat serving plate. Serve at room temperature.

Recipe via the Barefoot Contessa

 
Megan Atkin