Epiphany: A Cake for a King and Queen

Epiphany Cake

This aromatic honey cake that harkens of old world flavours is what I offer to Epiphany when, in Christian tradition, we celebrate the gifts of the Magi who came to worship of God child in Bethlehem. It is steeped in honey and needs no egg. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Have all the ingredients at room temperature.

1/3 cup honey

3/4 cup water

1/2 cup sugar

2 cups unbleached cake flour

1/2 tsp soda

2 tsp double acting baking powder

1 tbsp cinnamon

1 tsp cloves

1 tsp allspice

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/4 cup shredded almonds

1 tbsp grated orange rind

1 tbsp grated lemon rind

In a large bowl, blend honey, water and sugar until well blended. In a separate bowl, mix flour, soda, baking powder, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and nutmeg. Pour the flour mixture slowly into the liquid mixture until thoroughly blended. Finally add almonds, orange and lemon rind. Bake for approximately 1 hour. Age it for three days to allow the spices to really take on their flavours.