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Three orange cakes on cutting board wrapped with greenery.
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4.99 from 92 votes

Orange Ginger Honey Cakes

Orange Ginger Honey Cakes made with brown butter, orange juice, orange zest, fresh honey, and ground ginger. Rich Holiday cakes to give as gifts!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Course: Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 mini loaves
Author: Jenn Davis

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 250 grams all purpose flour
  • 1.5 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger *or 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1 tablespoon fresh orange zest *zest of one orange
  • 113 grams unsalted butter browned *see notes
  • 270 grams honey
  • 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
  • 125 grams whole milk
  • 2 large eggs room temperature
  • 50 grams granulated sugar
Metric - US

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 325℉ (160℃) and prepare four 6-inch mini loaf pans. (spray with non-stick spray or a thin coating of butter and flour.)
  • In a medium bowl, hand whisk together sifted flour, baking powder, baking soda, ginger and orange zest.
    250 grams all purpose flour, 1.5 teaspoons baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger, 1 tablespoon fresh orange zest
  • Brown your butter by placing in a small skillet on medium heat. Stir until butter is melted. Continue to stir and heat until butter is foamy and brownish in color.
    113 grams unsalted butter
  • Pour the warm brown butter into the bowl of stand mixer. Allow it to cool to room temperature.
  • Next, add the honey, orange juice, milk, sugar, and slightly beaten eggs into the mixing bowl with the browned butter.
    270 grams honey, 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice, 125 grams whole milk, 2 large eggs, 50 grams granulated sugar
  • Mix on medium speed using the paddle attachment until smooth.
  • Slowly spoon in flour mixture on medium speed until a cake batter is formed. (scrape sides and bottom of bowl to incorporate all ingredients.
  • Divide batter amongst the four pans.
  • Place pans on cookie sheet and bake for 28-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. (Cover loaves with a sheet of aluminum foil halfway through baking to prevent over browning.)
  • Place pans on cooling rack to completely cool before removing.

Notes

Baking Pans
    • Place your mini cake pans on a cookie sheet in the oven.
Honey
Quality honey will give the best flavor. Try local honey or pure honey from the store. 
Brown Butter
Allow browned butter to cool to room temperature before mixing with additional ingredients. 
To make brown butter (also called beurre noisette), simply place your butter in a light colored skillet so you can see the color change and cook on medium heat. First the butter will start to foam as it melts, then it will slowly change from a golden hue to a darker more toasty brown color. It should start to give off a nutty aroma as it browns.
Remove your brown butter from the heat and put in heat safe bowl to let it cool.