Honey Cake

I bought a jar of our locally made honey by Don Sausser Apiaries, a necessary ingredient for today's recipe post. This is one of those cake recipes you can whip up as an impromptu dessert and now that the holidays are here, a special homemade gift from your home kitchen. Those are the best kinds of gifts! 

Honey Orange Cake
recipe by Chef George Hirsch | Makes 8 servings
as seen on George Hirsch Living it UP! TV Series
chefgeorgehirsch.com

2/3 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
1/2 cup honey, heated
1/4 cup butter, melted
2 large eggs, separated
1 teaspoon finely grated orange peel
1-2/3 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Confectioners sugar

Preheat oven to 350°.

Lightly grease and flour bottom and sides of a 9-inch pan.

In medium bowl, blend orange juice, honey, butter, egg yolks and orange peel; set aside. In large bowl, combine flour, granulated sugar, baking powder and baking soda; set aside.

In small bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Mix orange juice mixture into flour mixture until blended. Gently fold in egg whites. Turn into prepared pan.

Bake 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then remove from pan and serve warm or cool 10 minutes on a wire rack until cooled completely. Just before serving, sprinkle with confectioners sugar. To serve, cut into wedges and garnish, if desired, with peeled orange wedges and whipped cream.