Little Burnt Honey & Almond Cakes Recipe
Introduction
These little burnt honey and almond cakes offer a delightful balance of rich caramel notes and nutty flavor. With a crisp golden exterior and soft interior, they make a perfect treat alongside your favorite hot drink. Simple to prepare and irresistibly tasty, they’re sure to become a new favorite.

Ingredients
- 50g butter, plus extra for greasing the tin
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 egg
- 50g golden caster sugar
- 30g plain flour
- 30g ground almonds
- ½ tsp baking powder
- Pinch of sea salt
- Icing sugar, for dusting (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: Place the butter and honey in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the butter foams and the mixture turns a rich mahogany color.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the egg, golden caster sugar, and the honey-butter mixture until well combined.
- Step 3: Gently fold in the plain flour, ground almonds, baking powder, and a pinch of sea salt to form a smooth batter. You can use this immediately or refrigerate it overnight for more depth of flavor.
- Step 4: Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan) or gas mark 6. Butter four holes of a muffin tin to prevent sticking.
- Step 5: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared muffin holes and bake for 12-14 minutes, until the cakes are golden and cooked through.
- Step 6: Remove the cakes from the oven and turn them out onto a cooling rack. Let them cool for a few minutes before dusting with icing sugar, if desired. Serve warm, ideally with a hot chocolate espresso sauce for an extra indulgence.
Tips & Variations
- For a different nutty flavor, try substituting the ground almonds with hazelnuts or pecans.
- Adding a teaspoon of cinnamon or orange zest to the batter can enhance the aroma and taste.
- If you prefer a less sweet cake, reduce the caster sugar slightly.
- These cakes can be made a day ahead — storing the batter in the fridge overnight helps develop a richer flavor.
Storage
Store any leftover cakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They are best enjoyed fresh but can be gently reheated in a low oven or microwave for a few seconds. Avoid refrigeration as it may dry them out.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make these cakes gluten-free?
Yes, substitute the plain flour with a gluten-free flour blend suitable for baking, keeping the same quantity. Ensure your baking powder is gluten-free as well.
What if I don’t have ground almonds?
You can pulse whole almonds in a food processor until finely ground or substitute with another finely ground nut like hazelnuts. Alternatively, omit the nuts for a simpler texture.
PrintLittle Burnt Honey & Almond Cakes Recipe
These Little Burnt Honey & Almond Cakes are a delightful treat featuring a rich, caramelized honey and buttery flavor combined with ground almonds for a moist texture. Lightly golden and slightly crisp on the edges, they are perfect for teatime or as a sweet snack, especially when dusted with icing sugar and served alongside a hot chocolate espresso sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Total Time: 24 minutes
- Yield: 4 small cakes 1x
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the Cakes
- 50g butter, plus extra for greasing the tin
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 egg
- 50g golden caster sugar
- 30g plain flour
- 30g ground almonds
- ½ tsp baking powder
- Pinch of sea salt
To Serve (Optional)
- Icing sugar, for dusting
- Hot chocolate espresso sauce (see recipe or serve separately)
Instructions
- Caramelize the Butter and Honey: Place the butter and honey in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the butter foams and the mixture turns a deep mahogany color, indicating caramelization.
- Prepare the Batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the egg, golden caster sugar, and the caramelized honey-butter mixture until well combined. Stir in the plain flour, ground almonds, baking powder, and a pinch of sea salt to form a smooth batter. This batter can be used immediately or stored in the fridge overnight for enhanced flavors.
- Preheat and Prepare the Tin: Heat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan oven) or gas mark 6. Butter four holes of a muffin tin to prevent sticking.
- Fill and Bake: Divide the batter evenly between the four buttered holes in the muffin tin. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-14 minutes, or until the cakes are golden and cooked through. A toothpick inserted should come out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the cakes from the oven and turn them out onto a cooling rack. Allow them to cool for a few minutes. Dust with icing sugar if desired, and serve warm or at room temperature with hot chocolate espresso sauce for an indulgent pairing.
Notes
- The batter can be refrigerated overnight to deepen the flavors before baking.
- Using ground almonds adds moistness and a delicate nutty flavor; finely chopping whole almonds is not recommended as it may affect the texture.
- If you prefer, you can add a dash of vanilla extract to the batter for extra aroma.
- Make sure to grease the muffin tin well to prevent sticking, especially since the cakes are moist.
- Serving with a hot chocolate espresso sauce enhances the richness and balances the sweetness; however, it is optional.
- These cakes are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to two days.
Keywords: burnt honey cakes, almond cakes, honey almond cakes, teatime cakes, caramelized honey desserts, easy almond cakes

