What makes Beorn’s honey cakes special?

Beorn’s honey cakes stand out for their rich, old-fashioned flavor and soft, moist texture. This Beorn’s honey cake recipe is perfect for little honey cakes, twice-baked honey cakes, or a larger Irish honey cake loaf. Ideal for breakfast honey cake lovers or festive occasions like Beltane, these cakes bring warmth, sweetness, and comfort in every bite.

Can I make little honey cakes instead of a loaf?

Yes! You can make individual little honey cakes for breakfast or snacks, or a loaf for Beltane honey cake celebrations. Both versions follow the same Beorn’s honey cake recipe and deliver the same soft, golden, honey-flavored results.

How long do Beorn’s honey cakes stay fresh?

Stored in an airtight container, these old-fashioned honey cakes can last up to a week. Twice-baked honey cakes stay crisp longer and can be lightly toasted before serving. Perfect for breakfast honey cake, tea time, or Irish honey cake treats.

Are there variations for festive occasions?

Absolutely! You can add spices like cinnamon or nutmeg to create a Beltane honey cake, or drizzle extra honey and sprinkle nuts for an Irish honey cake twist. Little honey cakes are also ideal for family gatherings or holiday celebrations.

Beorn’s Honey Cakes Recipe: Soft Little Honey Cakes 2026

Name: Beorn’s Honey Cake Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Yield: 12 little honey cakes or 1 loaf
Cuisine: Irish
Ingredients: 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour; 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder; ½ teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional); ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional); ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup granulated sugar; 3 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; ½ cup milk or buttermilk; ½ cup honey (plus extra for brushing if desired); Sliced almonds or chopped nuts (optional); Powdered sugar for dusting (optional); Drizzle of honey for decoration (optional)

Description

Soft, sweet, and golden, Beorn’s Honey Cakes are inspired by old-fashioned and Irish honey cake recipes. Perfect for breakfast, tea time, or festive occasions like Beltane, these little honey cakes feature a rich honey flavor and a moist, tender crumb. They can be baked as small individual cakes or a larger loaf-style cake, and can even be twice-baked for extra texture.

Ingredients

Scale

🛒 Ingredients (for 12 little honey cakes or one 9×5-inch loaf):

For the Cake:

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup milk or buttermilk
½ cup honey (plus extra for brushing if desired)

Optional for Decoration:

Sliced almonds or chopped nuts
Powdered sugar for dusting
Drizzle of honey

Instructions

📝 Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Oven & Pan
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a muffin tin for little cakes or line a loaf pan with parchment paper.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

Step 3: Cream Butter & Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in vanilla and honey.

Step 4: Combine & Add Milk
Gradually mix in the dry ingredients alternately with milk until batter is smooth. Do not overmix.

Step 5: Bake
Spoon batter into prepared muffin tin or loaf pan. Bake little cakes for 20–25 minutes, or loaf for 45–50 minutes, until golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Step 6: Optional Twice-Baked Finish
For extra texture, slice the baked cakes, brush lightly with honey, and bake an additional 5–10 minutes until slightly crisp.

Step 7: Cool & Decorate
Cool completely. Optionally drizzle with honey, dust with powdered sugar, or sprinkle with sliced almonds.

Notes

Little Honey Cakes: Perfect for breakfast or snack boxes.
Old-Fashioned Touch: Use dark, rich honey for deeper flavor.
Make Ahead: Cakes can be baked a day in advance; store in an airtight container.
Breakfast Variation: Serve warm with butter or cream cheese.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20–50 minutes (depending on size)
Category: Dessert / Breakfast / Festive Cake
Method: Baked / Twice-Baked (optional)
Cuisine: Irish / Old-Fashioned