Description
This Layered Cornbread Cake with Whipped Honey Butter Frosting is a delightful twist on classic cornbread, transforming it into a moist, sweet cake perfect for dessert or special occasions. Combining the rustic texture of cornmeal and masa harina with a rich, fluffy honey-infused buttercream frosting, this recipe offers a unique blend of flavors and textures that will impress any crowd.
Ingredients
Scale
Cornbread Cake
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup flour
- ½ cup masa harina
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup oil
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon raw honey
Whipped Honey Butter Frosting
- 1 cup unsalted butter (preferably European butter)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon raw honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pans: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and line three 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper to ensure easy release after baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, masa harina, sugar, baking powder, and salt until well combined to establish an even distribution of leavening and flavors.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat together unsalted butter, oil, eggs, milk, and raw honey until the mixture is smooth and homogenous, ensuring proper moisture and sweetness.
- Combine Batter: Add the wet ingredients into the bowl of dry ingredients and gently mix until just combined, avoiding overmixing to keep the batter tender.
- Divide Batter: Evenly divide the batter among the three prepared cake pans to achieve uniform cake layers.
- Bake Layers: Bake the cakes for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating doneness.
- Cool Cakes: Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes to set before transferring them onto wire racks to cool completely, which is essential for frosting application.
- Prepare Frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat together unsalted butter, powdered sugar, cornstarch, honey, and vanilla extract until the frosting is smooth, creamy, and fluffy.
- Assemble Cake: Once the cake layers are fully cooled, stack them by spreading a generous amount of frosting between each layer to create a moist, delicious filling.
- Frost Cake: Use the remaining frosting to cover the top and sides of the cake evenly, creating a beautiful and tasty finish ready to serve.
Notes
- Ensure the cakes are completely cooled before frosting to prevent the buttercream from melting.
- Masa harina adds a subtle corn flavor and helps enhance texture; if unavailable, you can substitute with more cornmeal.
- Use European-style butter for frosting if possible, as it has a higher fat content and creamier texture.
- This cake pairs well with a light tea or coffee for an afternoon treat.
- Store leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
