Name: Honey Lemon Tea Cake
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: 1½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour; 1 tsp baking powder; ½ tsp baking soda; ¼ tsp salt; ¾ cup (180ml) plain yogurt; ¼ cup (60ml) vegetable oil; ½ cup (170g) honey; 2 large eggs, room temperature; Zest of 2 lemons; 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice; 1 tsp vanilla extract

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Hi👋 I’m MARILYN, a 34-year-old from the United Kingdom. Cooking is my passion, and I love sharing delicious, easy-to-follow recipes. Join me on marilynrecipes.com to explore a world of culinary delights, from comforting classics to innovative creations. Let’s make cooking fun and enjoyable for everyone! Cooking is about more than just food it’s about sharing stories and making memories.

One rainy afternoon, I found myself craving something sweet but light, something that felt like sunshine in a slice. That’s when the idea of my Honey Lemon Tea Cake came to life. The combination of tangy lemon and warm honey instantly lifted my spirits. Over time, this cake has become my go-to recipe whenever I want a cozy treat that’s simple yet special. Today, I’m sharing my full recipe with you step by step, from ingredients to storage tips so you can enjoy it just like I do.

I make this Honey Lemon Tea Cake whenever I have friends over for afternoon tea, and it never fails to spark conversations. The aroma of fresh lemon zest and sweet honey fills the kitchen, inviting everyone to pause, sip tea, and enjoy a quiet moment together. I hope this recipe brings the same warmth and joy to your home as it does to mine.

Why I Love Making This Recipe

There’s something so heartwarming about a cake that’s simple yet full of flavor. The honey adds a natural sweetness that isn’t overpowering, and the lemon gives a bright, cheerful note that feels fresh in every bite. I love recipes that are approachable ones that don’t require complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients.

I also adore the memories this cake carries. It reminds me of cozy afternoons with my grandmother, sipping tea and sharing stories, and the feeling of laughter filling the room. Making this cake is like pressing pause on a busy day to enjoy a moment of comfort and love.

Ingredients & Little Kitchen Secrets

Here’s what you’ll need for a small, delightful loaf:

Ingredients:

1½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
¾ cup (180ml) plain yogurt
¼ cup (60ml) vegetable oil
½ cup (170g) honey
2 large eggs, room temperature
Zest of 2 lemons
3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp vanilla extract

Little Kitchen Secrets:

Make sure your yogurt is at room temperature to avoid curdling the batter.
Zest the lemon before juicing it it’s easier and more aromatic.
For extra moistness, you can substitute half of the oil with unsweetened applesauce.

How I Make It, Step by Step

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
In a large bowl, beat together yogurt, oil, honey, eggs, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla until smooth.
Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients using a spatula. Mix just until combined don’t overmix!
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

How I Serve It at Home

I love slicing this cake thick and serving it with a hot cup of tea or coffee. Sometimes, I drizzle a little extra honey over the top or dust it lightly with powdered sugar. On sunny days, I take it outside to the garden with a blanket and my favorite tea mug — it makes an ordinary afternoon feel magical.

Storage, Reheating & Make-Ahead Tips

Storage: Keep the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Refrigeration: You can refrigerate for up to 5 days; bring to room temperature before serving.
Freezing: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil, freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
Make-Ahead: The batter can be prepared a day in advance and kept in the fridge, then baked fresh the next day.

100-Word Short Version

My Honey Lemon Tea Cake is a cozy, easy-to-make treat full of sunshine and warmth. I mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in one bowl, and yogurt, honey, oil, eggs, lemon zest, juice, and vanilla in another. Folding the wet and dry ingredients gently ensures a light texture. Baked for 40–45 minutes, this cake is perfect for afternoon tea or a sweet snack. Serve with tea, drizzle honey, or dust with sugar. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or freeze for longer. A simple, bright, and comforting cake to make any day special.

Recipe Card Section

⏱️ Time

Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 45 minutes
Total: 1 hour

🛒 Ingredients

1½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
¾ cup (180ml) plain yogurt
¼ cup (60ml) vegetable oil
½ cup (170g) honey
2 large eggs, room temperature
Zest of 2 lemons
3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp vanilla extract

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.
Beat yogurt, oil, honey, eggs, lemon zest, juice, and vanilla until smooth.
Fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients gently.
Pour into pan and smooth the top.
Bake 40–45 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.
Cool 10 minutes in pan, then transfer to wire rack.

📝 Notes

Use room temperature yogurt and eggs for best texture.
Substitute half the oil with applesauce for extra moistness.
Drizzle honey or dust powdered sugar before serving.
Store in airtight container, refrigerate, or freeze for later enjoyment.

🍽️ Nutrition (per slice)
Calories: 210 kcal
Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 1.5g
Carbs: 30g
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 14g
Protein: 4g
Sodium: 150mg
Cholesterol: 35mg

Conclusion

Making this Honey Lemon Tea Cake always feels like sending a little bit of sunshine into my kitchen. It’s simple, comforting, and full of love, the kind that brings family and friends together around a cup of tea. I hope when you make this cake, it fills your home with warmth, laughter, and sweet memories. Baking isn’t just about the end result it’s about the stories we create along the way. Let this cake be part of your story.