Grandma Frieda's Honey Bundt Cake (Lekach)
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Baking time 12 cup bundt pan: 1 hour to 1 hour 20 minutes
- Baking time 6 cup bundt pan: 40 to 50 minutes
- Cooling time: 1 hour
Ingredients
For Standard 12-cup bundt pan recipe
(serves 12)
Bundt Pan:
- Standard 12-cup Bundt Pan
Moist Ingredients To Cook:
- 1½ cups dark honey
- ¾ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup coffee
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
Dry Ingredients:
- 3¾ cups flour
- 1½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
Eggs and Sugar:
Orange Zest and Nuts:
- Grated zest from 1 orange
- ¾ cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Honey and Orange Syrup:
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 1 tablespoon butter
Or Top With Orange Glaze:
- ⅓ cup butter
- ½ teaspoon zest of orange
- 2 cups confectioners sugar
- 2 to 4 tablespoons fresh orange juice
Ingredients
For Small 6 cup bundt pan recipe
(serves 6)
Bundt Pan:
Moist Ingredients To Cook:
- ¾ cups dark honey
- 6 tablespoons vegetable oil
- ½ cup coffee
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Dry Ingredients:
- 1¾ cups + 2 tablespoons flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ⅛ teaspoon
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
Eggs and Sugar:
- 2 eggs
- 6 tablespoons sugar
Orange Zest and Nuts:
- Grated zest from ½ an orange
- 6 tablespoons chopped walnuts (optional)
Honey and Orange Syrup:
- ⅛ cup honey
- 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
- ½ tablespoon butter
Or Top With Orange Glaze:
- 2½ tablespoons butter
- ¼ teaspoon zest of orange
- 1 cup confectioners sugar
- 1 to 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 350°.
- Apply thin coating of solid vegetable shortening or softened butter to the bundt pan, then dust surface lightly with flour; set pan aside.
- Combine honey, oil, coffee and vanilla in a medium saucepan. Over low heat, cook, stirring gently until well-blended.
- Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
- In a large bowl whisk dry ingredients; set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs and sugar on high speed until thick and pale yellow; 5 minutes.
- Beat the cooled honey mixture into the egg mixture.
- Add the dry ingredients and beat until well blended.
- Add the orange zest and optional nuts beating on medium speed until incorporated.
- Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
- For Standard 12 Cup Bundt Pan: Bake for 1 hour to 1 hour 20 minutes. Cake is done when skewer inserted in center comes out clean.
- For Small 6 Cup Bundt Pan: Bake for 40 to 50 minutes. Cake is done when skewer inserted in center comes out clean.
- Cool the cake on a rack for 10 minutes.
- While the cake is cooling prepare the orange honey syrup.
- After the cake has cooled for 10 minutes invert over a rack set over a tray or baking pan.
- Using a pastry brush immediately brush the orange honey syrup over the cake.
- Allow cake to cool completely; about 1 hour.
- Serve with whipped cream or drizzle the top with the orange glaze.
Comments
The batter for this cake will seem a bit runny but do not be alarmed by that. Towards the end of the baking time check frequently with a skewer to test whether or not the cake is done.This cake has a lovely yet subtle honey flavor that balances well with the coffee. My favorite way to serve this cake is with whipped cream!