Geoffrey Zakarian's Pistachio Greek Honey Cake Beauty, as seen on The Kitchen, Season 36.
Recipe courtesy of Geoffrey Zakarian

Pistachio Greek Honey Cake

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  • Level: Easy
  • Total: 3 hr 30 min (includes cooling time)
  • Active: 40 min
  • Yield: 8 to 10 servings
I'm adding ground pistachios to this traditional and beloved Greek dessert because I love the way pistachio pairs with orange and honey. However, you can substitute 1 cup of almond flour for the pistachio and flour mixture if that is what you have on hand. This cake really lets the honey flavor shine and is perfect no matter the time of year.

Ingredients

Honey Syrup:

Cake:

To Serve:

Directions

Special equipment:
a 9-inch springform pan
  1. For the honey syrup: Add the orange juice, turbinado sugar and 1/2 cup water to a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Cook, stirring, just until the sugar dissolves, then remove the pan from the heat and add the honey, lemon juice and salt. Stir and set aside to cool.
  2. For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a 9-inch round springform pan with parchment paper. Grease the lined pan with the tablespoon of butter all over the sides and bottom.
  3. In the bowl of a food processor, add the pistachios and 2 tablespoons flour. Pulse to grind to a flour consistency.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the pistachio flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and remaining cup flour and whisk together.
  5. In another large mixing bowl, combine the eggs, butter, honey, vanilla, almond extract and orange zest and whisk until smooth. Add the yogurt and lemon juice and whisk until fully combined.
  6. Add half the flour mixture and combine gently. Add the second half and fold the batter with a spatula until just fully combined. Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan.
  7. Bake the cake on the center rack of the oven until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean or with a few crumbs attached, 40 to 50 minutes.
  8. Remove the cake from the oven and immediately poke it all over with a toothpick or skewer. Pour the syrup onto it. Set the cake aside to cool for 2 hours.
  9. Remove the side of the springform pan. Transfer the cake to a serving platter and serve with fresh berries and lightly sweetened whipped cream or whipped Greek yogurt.