Soft Glow Golden Honey Cake

Featured in: Easy Sweet Treats From The Meadow

This buttery golden pound cake features a tender crumb, sweetened with mild liquid honey for natural aroma and flavor. Creamed butter and sugar form a light base, combined gently with flour and milk to maintain a soft texture. Optional honey glaze adds shine and extra warmth. Perfectly baked until lightly golden, this cake suits casual tea times or elegant dessert plates. Mild honey varieties like clover or acacia enhance its subtle sweetness without overpowering. Serve sliced with whipped cream or fresh berries for a refined touch.

Updated on Fri, 05 Dec 2025 12:01:00 GMT
Golden honey pound cake, a moist, golden dessert from a family recipe, ready to enjoy. Pin it
Golden honey pound cake, a moist, golden dessert from a family recipe, ready to enjoy. | meadowspoon.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 quickly became a family favorite at our tea times and is always requested for special occasions.

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.
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Our family loves gathering around for afternoon tea with this cake fresh from the oven.

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

A slice of soft glow golden honey pound cake, glistening with honey glaze, ready to serve. Pin it
A slice of soft glow golden honey pound cake, glistening with honey glaze, ready to serve. | meadowspoon.com

This honey pound cake always delivers a perfect balance of sweetness and moisture every time I bake it.

Recipe FAQ

What type of honey works best in this cake?

Mild honeys such as clover or acacia enhance the subtle sweetness without overpowering the delicate crumb.

Can I substitute milk in the batter?

Whole milk adds moisture and richness; alternatives like almond or oat milk can be used but may alter texture slightly.

How do I tell when the cake is fully baked?

Insert a toothpick in the center; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter.

What is the purpose of creaming butter and sugar together?

Creaming incorporates air for a lighter batter and helps create a tender crumb in the finished cake.

Is the honey glaze necessary?

The glaze adds a glossy finish and enhances honey aroma, but the cake remains moist and flavorful without it.

Soft Glow Golden Honey Cake

Delicate golden crumb cake, enriched with honey and butter, ideal for tea or dessert moments.

Prep time
20 minutes
Cook time
55 minutes
Overall time
75 minutes
Recipe by Jack Henderson


Skill level Easy

Cuisine American

Makes 10 Portions

Diet preferences Vegetarian-friendly

What You'll Need

Dry Ingredients

01 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
03 ½ teaspoon fine sea salt

Wet Ingredients

01 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
02 1 cup granulated sugar
03 ½ cup mild liquid honey
04 4 large eggs, room temperature
05 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
06 ½ cup whole milk, room temperature

Optional Glaze

01 2 tablespoons honey
02 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Directions

Step 01

Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan or line 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, about 3 minutes.

Step 04

Add Honey: Incorporate honey into the creamed mixture until fully blended.

Step 05

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

Step 06

Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Add dry ingredients in three parts alternated with milk, beginning and ending with flour. Mix gently until just combined; avoid overmixing.

Step 07

Fill Pan and Smooth Batter: Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and smooth the surface evenly.

Step 08

Bake: Bake for 50 to 55 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 09

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

Step 10

Apply Optional Glaze: Melt honey with butter and brush the glaze over the warm cake if desired.

What You’ll Need

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

Allergy details

Review every ingredient for allergen risks and reach out to a healthcare provider if unsure.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), eggs, and milk (dairy). Check ingredients for potential allergen traces.

Nutrition info (per portion)

Use these nutrition details as a guide only—not a substitute for professional advice.
  • Calorie count: 310
  • Fat content: 15 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 40 grams
  • Proteins: 4 grams