Christmas Manuka Honey Cake Recipe

If you're looking for a festive dessert that packs a wellness punch this Christmas, then you’ve found it.

This simple Christmas honey cake recipe is delicious and nutritious.

Whether you're preparing a sweet treat for a cosy evening or gearing up for a festive feast, this manuka honey cake recipe will quickly become a favourite in your kitchen.

Plus, we also share our top recommendations for different flavour combinations to try and how to bring the Christmas spirit to your creation.

In this manuka honey cake recipe, you’ll find:

• Why use manuka for your Christmas honey cake

• Your manuka honey cake recipe

• Optional flavours to add to your cake

• Make your cake extra Christmassy

• Where to buy your manuka honey

Grab your apron.

Why Use Manuka for Your Christmas Honey Cake

Manuka honey, derived from the flower nectar of the manuka tree in New Zealand, boasts exceptional antibacterial properties and a distinctive flavour profile.

Rich in antioxidants and known for its many health benefits, incorporating manuka honey into your recipes elevates not just the taste but also the nutritional value of your dishes.

Manuka honey is graded and labelled according to the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF™) classification system.

The UMF™ rating indicates the concentration of the beneficial compounds found in the honey, so the higher the grade, the more it can offer.

With so many fakes on the market, buying UMF™-graded manuka honey (like ours) ensures that you get the best quality, all-natural product.

Now, ready to get baking?

Your Manuka Honey Cake Recipe

Manuka honey offers the best health benefits when raw.

So this recipe includes honey in the cake itself for its delicious, earthy flavour, and in the icing, to ensure you get the best of both worlds.

To create your delicious Manuka honey cake, gather the following ingredients:

Ingredients:

Fruit Mixture:

• 500g mixed dried fruit (raisins, currants, sultanas, candied peel)

• 150g glace cherries, chopped

• 100g dried cranberries

• 100g New Zealand Honey Co. manuka honey

• Zest and juice of 1 orange

• Zest and juice of 1 lemon

• 125ml brandy (or orange juice for a non-alcoholic version)
  
  

Cake Batter:

• 225g unsalted butter, softened

• 4 large eggs

• 225g almond flour

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

• 1/2 tsp ground cloves

• 1/2 tsp allspice

• 1/2 tsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp salt

1. Prepare fruit mixture: Combine dried fruit, cherries, cranberries, Manuka honey, orange and lemon zest/juice in a bowl. Soak for 8 hours, stirring occasionally.

2. Preheat the oven to 150C/300F/Gas 2. Grease and line a 9-inch cake tin.

3. Cream softened butter in a separate bowl. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well.

4. In another bowl, combine almond flour, spices, baking powder, and salt.

5. Fold dry ingredients into butter and egg mixture.

6. Add soaked fruit to batter, mix well, and transfer to the cake tin.

7. Bake for 2.5-3 hours, covering with foil if it browns too quickly.

8. Cool in tin for 15-20 mins, then transfer to a wire rack to cool.

9. Once cool, decorate with sugar-free frosting or icing.

PRO TIP: Let the cake rest for a few days in an airtight container in a cool, dark place to mature and deepen the flavours.

Enjoy!

Optional Flavours to Add to Your Manuka Honey Cake

Now that you've mastered the basic manuka honey cake, let's explore exciting flavour combinations to elevate your dessert experience:

• Citrus Burst: Add a fresh punch with orange or lemon zest in the batter.

• Spiced Elegance: Infuse warm spices like cinnamon or nutmeg for a comforting flavour.

• Berry Bliss: Top the cake with fresh berries or fold them into the batter for a burst of sweetness.

Sublime.

Christmas Honey Cake Extravaganza

To make your manuka honey cake perfect for the holiday season, consider these festive ideas:

• Gingerbread Infusion: Try ground ginger, cloves, and molasses in the batter for a gingerbread-inspired treat.

• Cranberry Delight: Incorporate dried cranberries into the mix and drizzle the cooled cake with a tangy cranberry glaze.

• Festive Decorations: Garnish the cake with edible gold leaf, pomegranate seeds, or festive sprinkles for a visually stunning dessert.

This manuka honey cake, whether enjoyed as an everyday indulgence or a special Christmas treat, will leave your taste buds tingling with delight.

Embrace the magic of manuka honey and let this recipe become a cherished part of your holiday traditions.

Happy baking!

Get Your Manuka Honey from New Zealand Honey Co.

For the best quality, independently-tested manuka honey, look no further.

We partner with some of the best beekeepers throughout New Zealand to bring you delicious manuka honey packed full of flavour and wellness.

Shop the range.

Unsure which UMF™ grade is best for you?

Take the quick quiz.

Suggested further reading:

• 176 Ways to Use Manuka Honey

• Is Manuka Honey Worth It? It Depends. Here’s Why… 

• Chamomile and Manuka Honey Cake

• Paleo Banana Bread with Manuka Honey