Hello, lovely people of the culinary world! Julia here, your friendly neighborhood food enthusiast and the face behind Dinner with Julia. Today, I want to share with you an experience close to my heart – my adventure with the enchanting French Spice Cake.
The French Spice Cake, or Pain d’épices as they fondly call it in France, is more than just a cake. It’s a melody of flavors that dance in your mouth, leaving a trail of delicious warmth and comfort. Every bite carries the rich history and culinary prowess of the French kitchens, making it a truly special delicacy.
It was on one of those chilly autumn days when I first decided to try my hand at this traditional French recipe. The warm aroma of mixed spices wafting through my home was nothing short of magical.
French Spice Cake Recipe
![Pain D'épices (French Honey Orange Spice Cake) - Belula](https://dinnerwithjulia.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/french-spice-cake-pain-depices-19.jpg)
![](https://dinnerwithjulia.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/3-500x500.jpg)
French Spice Cake
Equipment
- 1 oven
- 1 mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 1¼ cups honey
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- ¾ cup boiling water
- 1 tablespoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 3 ½ cups whole wheat pastry flour {unbleached all-purpose will work fine too}
- ½ cup almond flour *
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- ¼ cup dark rum such as Myers’s
- ½ teaspoon EACH ground cinnamon cloves, ginger and nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground white pepper {optional}
- 2 teaspoons grated fresh orange or lemon peel
- ½ cup moist apricots chopped
- ½ cup golden raisins
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
- Generously butter bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform pan or a 10-inch loaf pan {8 cup capacity}.
- Beat the honey, sugar and water in the bowl of a heavy-duty mixer with the paddle attachment. When the sugar is dissolved, beat in the baking soda and salt. Add half the flour and beat about a minute.
- Gradually add the remaining flour and continue to beat another 2 minutes on medium speed - the batter will be stiff and sticky.
- Stop the mixer and add the remaining ingredients to the mixing bowl. Mix on slow speed to incorporate everything.Scrape the batter into the pan; smooth the top with a damp finger or spatula.
- Bake on the middle rack for 1 hour – while it bakes, the cake will rise beautifully to fill the pan.
- The cake is done when it begins to pull away from the side of the pan and a toothpick inserted in center emerges clean.
- Cool the cake on a rack for 15 minutes. If using a springform, release the pan sides; otherwise unmold the cake and place on a rack, top-side up. Cool for about 2 hours or until completely cool, then wrap well in plastic.
Video
Notes
Cooking Tips
![Pain D'épices (French Honey Orange Spice Cake) - Belula](https://cdn.cookwithbelula.com/recipe/french-spice-cake-pain-epices/french-spice-cake-pain-depices-1x1.webp)
Baking a French Spice Cake is no small feat, but with a few tricks up your sleeve, you’ll be mastering it in no time.
- Spice Selection: The beauty of this cake lies in its unique blend of spices. Don’t shy away from experimenting with different combinations until you find the perfect balance.
- Quality of Ingredients: Always opt for high-quality honey and flour. They significantly influence the cake’s texture and flavor.
- Baking Time: Keep a close eye on your cake while it’s in the Best Toaster Oven For Polymer Clay. Overbaking could turn your moist, fluffy cake into a dry one.
Serving Suggestions
- With Tea or Coffee: The spicy undertones of the cake pair excellently with a hot cup of tea or coffee.
- With Ice Cream: A scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side will perfectly balance the warmth of the spices.
- With Fresh Fruits: Garnish slices of cake with fresh fruits like berries or peaches for a burst of freshness and tang.
FAQs
![Rye and Buckwheat Honey French Spice Bread - Pardon Your French](https://dinnerwithjulia.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Rye-and-Buckwheat-Honey-French-Spice-Bread-3.jpg)
- Can I make this cake ahead of time? Absolutely. In fact, the flavors of the French Spice Cake intensify over time. Just make sure to store it properly.
- What can I use instead of honey? You can substitute honey with molasses or maple syrup. However, keep in mind that it will slightly alter the taste.
- Is this cake gluten-free? The traditional recipe isn’t, but you can replace regular flour with gluten-free alternatives.
- Can I freeze the cake? Yes! Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and it can be frozen for up to three months.
- How do I know if my cake is baked properly? You can use the toothpick test. If it comes out clean, your cake is ready!
So there you have it, my dear foodies – my exciting journey with the French Spice Cake. As I wrap up this post, I can’t help but be filled with the same excitement and anticipation I felt when I first embarked on this culinary adventure. I hope you too find joy and warmth in this delightful French delicacy. Bon appétit!