RECIPES

Honey Lemon Cake Recipe | Inspired by "With Love, Meghan"

RECIPE

8 minute read

Essential Takeaways

The honey lemon cake featured in Netflix's "With Love, Meghan" combines the perfect balance of sweet Manuka honey and tangy lemon for a refreshing, sophisticated dessert that has impressed viewers worldwide.

Using premium UMF™ certified Manuka honey elevates this cake beyond ordinary lemon desserts, adding depth of flavour and natural sweetness that perfectly complements the bright citrus notes.

Despite its elegant appearance, this three-layer honey lemon cake is surprisingly simple to prepare, requiring just basic baking skills and readily available ingredients.

The versatility of this honey lemon cake makes it ideal for special occasions like birthdays and afternoon teas, yet simple enough to enjoy as an everyday treat when you want something a bit special.

Looking for a cake that's both elegant and surprisingly simple to make?

Netflix's "With Love, Meghan" has sparked a culinary sensation with a honey lemon cake that's taking social media by storm.

This isn't just any lemon cake - it's a sophisticated three-layer creation that perfectly balances bright citrus with the rich, complex sweetness of Manuka honey.

When our team spotted this trending treat, we couldn't resist creating our own version using our premium UMF™ certified Manuka honey.

The result? A refreshingly sophisticated cake that's guaranteed to impress without requiring professional baking skills. Let's dive into this royal-approved honey lemon cake recipe!

In this lemon and honey cake recipe guide, you’ll find:

What Makes This Honey Lemon Cake Special

When Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, showcased her honey lemon cake on Netflix, it instantly captured the attention of home bakers everywhere.

What sets this lemon honey cake recipe apart is the thoughtful combination of simple ingredients that create something truly extraordinary. The olive oil in the batter contributes to its moist texture, while the Manuka honey adds depth and character that ordinary sugar alone simply cannot achieve.

The lemon Manuka honey syrup brushed between each layer ensures that every bite is infused with flavour, creating a cake that's both refreshingly light and satisfyingly indulgent. It's the perfect balance that makes this honey lemon cake a standout dessert for any occasion.

Watch this video to see how we recreated the recipe, then keep scrolling for step-by-step instructions:

SHOP REAL RAW MANUKA

Ingredients You'll Need

For the Cakes:

  • Pan spray

  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 tablespoon baking powder

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 4 eggs

  • 1 1/2 cups milk

  • Zest of 2 lemons

  • 3/4 cups olive oil

  • 3 tablespoons New Zealand Honey Co, UMF™ 15+ Manuka honey

For the Lemon Manuka Honey Syrup:

For Assembly:

  • Unsweetened whipped cream with Manuka honey

  • Fresh raspberries (smaller berries are ideal)

  • Lemon verbena or small basil leaves for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions

There are three steps to making this delicious dessert:

  1. Prepare the cake layers

  2. Make the lemon Manuka honey syrup

  3. Assemble your lemon honey cake

Step 1: Preparing the Cake Layers

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (approximately 180°C).

  2. Prepare three 20cm (8-inch) cake pans by lightly coating with pan spray and placing a parchment round at the bottom. Spray the top of the parchment round as well and set them aside.

  3. In a large mixing bowl, sift together the sugar, flour, baking powder, and salt.

  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, olive oil, and lemon zest until well combined.

  5. Pour the dry ingredients into the wet mixture and add the Manuka honey. Mix gently until just combined - be careful not to overmix.

  6. Divide the batter evenly among the three prepared pans.

  7. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the cakes are just golden and a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean.

  8. Remove from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

  9. Once cool, use a bread knife to gently slice off the mounded top of each cake for even layers. (These make for delicious snacks!)

Step 2: Making the Lemon Manuka Honey Syrup

  1. In a small saucepan, combine the Manuka honey, lemon juice, and water.

  2. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat.

  3. Remove from heat as soon as it begins to simmer and allow to cool completely.

  4. This syrup will be brushed onto each cake layer during assembly.

Step 3: Assembling Your Honey Lemon Cake

  1. Place the first cake layer on your serving plate.

  2. Brush generously with the lemon Manuka honey syrup, allowing it to soak into the cake.

  3. Spread a layer of Manuka honey-sweetened whipped cream on top.

  4. Add the second cake layer and repeat the process with syrup and cream.

  5. Place the final cake layer on top and brush with syrup.

  6. Decorate the top with more whipped cream, fresh raspberries, and lemon verbena or basil leaves.

SHOP REAL RAW MANUKA

Why Manuka Honey Makes the Difference

The secret star of this honey lemon cake is undoubtedly the Manuka honey.

Unlike regular honey, authentic Manuka honey offers a distinctive flavour profile that's both richer and more complex than ordinary honey varieties, providing depth, character, and subtle floral notes that perfectly complement the bright acidity of the lemon juice.

The interaction between the honey and lemon creates a wonderfully balanced flavour that's neither too sweet nor too tangy. It's this harmony that elevates a simple cake into something truly memorable and worth sharing with loved ones.

Serving Suggestions & Occasions

This elegant honey lemon cake is versatile enough for a range of different occasions:

  • Afternoon Tea: Serve with a pot of Earl Grey or chamomile tea for a sophisticated afternoon treat.

  • Birthday Celebrations: The impressive appearance makes it worthy of special occasions.

  • Dinner Parties: A light, refreshing dessert that won't overwhelm after a hearty meal.

  • Spring and Summer Gatherings: The bright lemon flavour is perfect for warm-weather entertaining.

For the best flavour, allow the cake to come to room temperature before serving. If you've made it in advance, store it in the refrigerator, but remove it about 30 minutes before enjoying.

The cake pairs wonderfully with fresh berries on the side or a small scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra treat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this cake in advance?

Yes, you can prepare the cake layers up to two days ahead of time. Store them wrapped in cling film at room temperature. The syrup can also be made in advance and kept refrigerated. However, it's best to assemble the cake within a few hours of serving for the freshest result.

Can I substitute regular honey for Manuka honey?

While you can use regular honey, the unique flavour profile of Manuka honey takes this cake to another level. Regular honey will produce a sweeter cake that lacks the depth and complexity that Manuka honey provides.

How should I store leftover cake?

Store any leftover honey lemon cake in the refrigerator for up to three days. Cover it loosely with cling film or place it in a cake container to prevent it from drying out or absorbing other flavours from the fridge.

What if I don't have three cake pans?

If you only have one or two cake pans, you can bake the layers sequentially. Keep the remaining batter at room temperature while you bake, clean, and prepare the pan for the next layer.

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Where to Find Premium Manuka Honey

Ready to create your own show-stopping honey lemon cake? The key to achieving that perfect balance of flavours is using genuine, high-quality Manuka honey.

At New Zealand Honey Co., we proudly offer UMF™ certified, raw, non-GMO Manuka honey harvested from the pristine landscapes of New Zealand.

Our UMF™ 15+ Manuka honey (the same strength used in this recipe) provides the ideal flavour profile and quality to make your honey lemon cake truly exceptional.

Don't settle for imitations or lesser alternatives when making this special dessert. Experience the difference that authentic Manuka honey makes not just in this honey lemon cake, but in all your culinary creations.

“I just love this honey and now I start using with a lot of recipes and baking yum”

“I enjoy eating it on toast, baking cookies, on salmon. It is so delicious! Thanks to New Zealand Honey Company for doing an amazing job! God bless you all! Thank you for being very honest!”

Shop our authentic Manuka honey range here.

Have you made this cake? We'd love to see your honey lemon cake creations! Share your photos with us on social media and let us know how your cake turned out.

Suggested further reading:

Your wellness journey starts with a spoonful a day.

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