Bee Sting Cake (Bienenstich) I

The honey topping was called 'bienstich' by the German bakers who invented it, probably because of its sweetness.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 60 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins
• Calories: 281 Calories

Ingredients

• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ¾ cup white sugar
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 egg yolks
• 2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast
• ¼ cup warm water
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• ¼ cup lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 2 eggs, room temperature
• ½ cup warm milk
• ½ cup sour cream, room temperature
• ⅔ cup packed light brown sugar
• ⅜ cup heavy whipping cream
• ⅜ cup honey
• ⅝ cup sliced almonds
• 2 cups pastry cream

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Combine the yeast, and the warm water; set aside to proof for 5 minutes.

Step 2

Cream 3/4 cup butter and sugar until light. Beat in the eggs and yolks one at a time. Add the vanilla, milk, sour cream, and yeast. Beat until smooth. Add the flour a little at a time to form a soft dough. Add all of the flour, and continue to beat until elastic, about 8 minutes. Place dough into an oiled bowl, cover and place in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 50 minutes. Can be placed in the refrigerator overnight instead.

Step 3

Beat down the dough, and divide into two pieces. Place each in a buttered 9 inch square pan. Brush the top of each with 1 tablespoon of the melted butter. Cover and let rise until doubled.

Step 4

For the glaze, place the brown sugar, 6 tablespoons butter, cream, and honey in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, and stir until the sugar dissolves. Boil for 30 seconds. Remove from heat; add the lemon juice and almonds. Let cool slightly. Drizzle the warm glaze, not hot, over each of the cakes.

Step 5

Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 30 minutes, or until the nuts are golden. Cool on a rack.

Step 6

Split the cakes lengthwise using a serrated knife, and fill with the pastry cream. Sandwich cakes back together and serve.