| Portions | Prep Time | Cook Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 loaf cake | 15 mins | 45-55 mins |
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 ½ cups (180g) all-purpose flour
For the Lemon-Honey Glaze:
- ¾ cup (90g) powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1-2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- A tiny pinch of Green Alder catkin spice for garnish
- 1 ½ tsp Green Alder catkin spice, freshly ground
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp fine sea salt
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (120ml) Sunflower Oil
- ½ cup (120ml) buttermilk, at room temperature
- 2 tbsp honey (a wildflower or light honey works well)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 lemon
Directions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8.5 x 4.5 inch loaf pan and line it with a strip of parchment paper that overhangs the two long sides for easy removal.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, Green Alder catkin spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and granulated sugar together vigorously for about 1-2 minutes, until the mixture is pale and slightly thickened. This helps create a light crumb.
- Emulsify: While whisking continuously, slowly stream in the sunflower oil until the mixture is fully combined and smooth. Then, whisk in the buttermilk, honey, vanilla extract, and lemon zest.
- Make the Batter: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Using a spatula, gently fold the mixture together until just combined and no streaks of flour remain. Do not overmix.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the cake is golden brown on top and a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached.
- Cool: Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Then, using the parchment paper overhang, carefully lift the cake out of the pan and place it directly on the rack to cool completely before glazing.
- Make the Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the sifted powdered sugar, 1 tbsp honey, and 1 tbsp of lemon juice. The glaze should be thick but pourable. If it’s too thick, add more lemon juice, one teaspoon at a time. Drizzle the glaze over the completely cooled cake. Immediately sprinkle a tiny pinch of Green Alder catkin spice over the wet glaze for visual appeal and an extra aromatic punch.