Simple Honey Cake with Cream and Dulce de Leche

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Moist, decadent, and rich, this honey cake is full of delicious honey flavor. It makes the perfect addition to any party table!

Honey pecan cake with pecans decorating the top.

If you’re getting tired of the same old taste of traditional cake, I’ve got something especially for you. It’s a cake that is extraordinary. A cake that goes beyond the plain old vanilla flavor.

It’s my simple honey cake!

Don’t let the name fool you. It may be simple to make, yes, but it tastes extravagant. Especially for those special holiday parties.

It all starts with the perfect cake base.

My cake batter consists of eggs, sugar, flour, baking soda, and lemon juice.

Of course, honey as well. You can use any kind of honey here. If you want the classic honey taste, go with Acacia or Clover honey. Looking for something richer? Blackberry honey would work well. Use whatever you have at home!

Honey pecan cake slice on a white plate ready to eat.

Once you’ve got the batter down, it’s time to move on to the cream.

This easy recipe makes the cream luscious, smooth, and ridiculously addicting. Consider yourself warned. It is one of my absolute favorite cream recipes. It includes:

A stick of butter – for that silky texture and a buttery flavor

A can of dulce de leche – here’s my homemade version

Whipping cream – to bring everything together and give the cream its final consistency

Traditionally, people make a Russian honey cake with several layers. And I mean several. Which can be quite time-consuming.

I’ve cut the time down by making 4 thin layers instead – without sacrificing the taste, of course. Hence, the title I’ve given this delicious cake: a simple honey cake.

I’m so excited for you to try this at home. The upcoming holiday season is the perfect excuse to indulge, too! Enjoy!

Key Ingredients

Honey cake ingredients- sugar, flour, dulce de leche, lemon juice, baking soda, whipping cream, pecans, honey, butter, and eggs.

Eggs create the structure and moisture in baked goods. They help to bind the ingredients together.

Flour creates the body and adds to the structure of this simple honey cake. It traditionally is the primary dry ingredient in sweets. Use cake flour or all purpose flour.

Sugar sweetens up this recipe and adds a delicious flavor.

Baking soda and lemon juice make the cake batter light and fluffy.

Honey has a rich and aromatic flavor, naturally sweetening this cake.

Unsalted butter contributes to this sweet cake’s flavor and makes it smooth.

Whipping cream creates a fluffy cream layer.

Dulce de leche is made of sweetened condensed milk, making the cream perfectly luscious and sweet.

Pecans are the perfect nut to add crunch to this Russian honey cake.

Sugar and water add moisture to each layer of the cake, making sure it is soft throughout.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

How to make this Simple Honey Cake

Steps 1 & 2: Prepare

Preheat the oven to 350 F.

Prepare the dulce de leche.

Step 3: Beat the whipping cream

Beat the whipping cream in a bowl with sugar until it gets stiff peaks. Transfer to the fridge until ready to use.

For the cake:

Steps 4 & 5: Combine eggs, sugar, and honey

Beat together eggs and sugar in a hand or stand mixer.

Add honey to the mixing bowl.

Step 6: Baking soda & lemon juice mixture

In a separate shallow bowl or plate, mix baking soda and lemon juice. Once it has started to foam up, add to the mixing bowl.

Lemon juice and baking soda mixture in a blue bowl.

Step 7: Finish the batter

On the lowest speed, mix in the flour and combine well.

Making cake batter in the bowl of a stand mixer.

Step 8: Butter the pans and add batter

Butter your cake pans and spread a thin layer of batter.

Step 9: Bake

Bake for 7 minutes or until the toothpick comes out clean.

For the cream:

Step 10: Combine butter and dulce de leche

In a mixing bowl beat the unsalted butter. Add in dulce de leche and combine well together.

Dulce de leche prepared in a glass bowl.

Step 11: Add whipped cream

Add in already whipped cream to the dulce de leche mixture and beat well.

Step 12: Make sugar-water mixture

Take a small bowl or shallow plate. Mix sugar and water.

Steps 13 & 14: Moisten and frost the cake

Soak the first layer of cake with the sugar water. It will make your cake moist. Spread cream over the layer and top with another cake layer.

Adding sugar water mixture to cake layers.

Continue soaking each layer with sugar water and spreading cream until finished.

Steps 15 & 16: Frost and decorate

Spread cream all around the cake.

Chop pecans and sprinkle over the cake.

Decorated cake on a wooden board for serving.

Step 17: Refrigerate and enjoy

Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Expert Tips:

Prepare dulce de leche ahead of time to allow it to cool and set properly.
Keep the whipped cream chilled until ready to use to maintain its texture.
Toast pecans before chopping to enhance their flavor and add a delightful crunch.
Add a touch of vanilla extract for more flavor dimension.
Substitute honey for maple syrup if you don’t have any on hand.
Prepare and measure out the simple ingredients ahead of time to make assembly so much easier for this Russian honey cake recipe.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use any type of honey for the cake?

While you can use various honey types, a good-quality, flavorful honey will enhance the cake’s taste. Wildflower honey is a delicious option.

What’s the purpose of the sugar water soak?

The sugar water adds moisture to each layer, keeping the cake deliciously moist.

Can I use a different nut instead of pecans?

Certainly, feel free to substitute with your favorite nuts or omit them if there are allergies.

Enjoy these other honey recipes:

This Fruit Salad Recipe with Sweet Ginger Lime Dressing is a delicious treat for anyone who likes fruits!
I like to make this Russian Layered Honey Cake (Medovik) for any occasion.

More sweet recipes

If you tried this Simple Honey Cake or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you enjoyed it in the📝 comments below. I love hearing from you!