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Lilac Honey Cake

Use the beautiful, fragrant flowers of spring in this delicious and easy lilac honey cake.

A slice of frosted lilac honey cake on a white plate sitting in front of the entire cake on a floral cake plate.

Lilacs are indeed beautiful and they are edible. The lilacs in this cake leave a light floral flavor in the cake itself and make for a gorgeous cake decoration, too!

Only the Blossoms

Use only the blossoms in the cake batter. The leaves will be slightly bitter and the stems, obviously, woody. Just snip the blossoms from the stems over a bowl to make this easy.

For topping the cake, you could just place a couple of stems on top. It’ll be easy and make for a lovely centerpiece but it would need to be removed before slicing.

To make the decoration edible, just sprinkle the snipped blossoms on top of the frosting.

A Simple Cake

This is a very simple butter cake made in one layer for a thick, yet light cake.

One could split it into two layers if desired. Either cut the cooled cake in half or bake into 2 layers (the cooking time will likely be shortened so keep an eye on it).

Cupcakes are also an option. Again, cook for less time and keep an eye on them.

Make the most of beautiful seasonal flowers and delicious honey with this simple to bake and utterly delightful lilac honey cake.

Frosting & Decorating

I went with a very basic vanilla frosting in the photos. Use whatever frosting you most like – chocolate, cream cheese, etc.

Skip the frosting and dust with powdered sugar or serve with some fruit sauce.

Obviously, the snipped lilacs make for a perfect and yet simple decoration.

Yield: 8 Large Servings

Lilac Honey Cake

A frosted cake decorated with lilac flowers on a floral cake plate with a vase of fresh lilacs in the background.

Make the most of beautiful seasonal flowers and delicious honey with this simple to bake and utterly delightful lilac honey cake.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes

Ingredients

  • ½ Cup Salted Butter, softened
  • ¼ Cup Sugar
  • ½ Cup Lilac Blossoms, packed tightly
  • 2 Eggs
  • 2 teaspoons Vanilla
  • 2 ¼ Cups Unbleached, All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 Tablespoon Baking Powder
  • ½ Cup Buttermilk
  • ½ Cup Honey

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9" round cake pan.
  2. Whisk together the flour and baking powder, set aside.
  3. Whisk together the honey and buttermilk, set aside.
  4. Cream together the butter, sugar, and lilac blossoms until light and fluffy.
  5. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, beating well.
  6. Alternate adding the flour mixture with the buttermilk mixture, beating well after each addition.
  7. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan.
  8. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
  9. Cool in pan for 10 minutes before inverting to a cake plate to cool completely.
  10. Frost as desired.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 346Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 78mgSodium: 323mgCarbohydrates: 52gFiber: 1gSugar: 25gProtein: 6g

We try our best but cannot guarantee that nutrition information is 100% accurate.

Did you make this recipe?

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Mj

Tuesday 17th of May 2022

I made dandelion honey yesterday, perfect for this recipe 😁 I love lighter sweets. What kind of frosting do you recommend?

Kathie Lapcevic

Wednesday 18th of May 2022

I really like just a vanilla buttercream here.

Cathie

Saturday 22nd of May 2021

The lilacs are in full bloom, but I am busy. Can I freeze the blossoms for later use? How long could they be stored in the freezer? Thanks!

Erin

Saturday 4th of March 2023

@Cathie, I don't know if that would work given that lilacs are super delicate and their aroma/flavor is quite volatile and fades quickly. I have heard of a technique called "enfleurage" in which you infuse the picked blooms in some type of fat such as butter. If you were to do that first, then that seems more likely to be something you could freeze but I haven't tried it so I am not sure!

Kathie Lapcevic

Wednesday 26th of May 2021

I've never tried freezing lilacs, I think it would work but I can't guarantee.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com

Thursday 6th of July 2017

Kathie, though I'm not "elderly," I always prefer things less sweet and develop all my recipes with as little sugar (including honey and real maple syrup) as possible. Then when I make them for just my husband and myself, I cut back on the sugar even more! This cake looks and sounds lovely, but I'd cut it into at least 8 pieces. I like the lilac blossoms sprinkled around the edge, so much lovelier than some fussy decorating!

Diane

Thursday 1st of June 2017

Umm, yummy, I'll try it today, my lilacs are blooming now are perfect. Thanks.

Homespun Seasonal Living

Thursday 1st of June 2017

Enjoy!

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