This fluffy yeast cake is made with instant yeast, filled with creamy homemade custard, and coated in a crunchy honey-almond topping. Everyone will be buzzing around the dessert table for this delicious German bee sting cake.
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Yeast Cakes are My Favorite Elevated Rustic Dessert
Yeasted cakes aren't as popular in the U.S., but they were just part of life growing up in Germany. It never needed a special occasion, just a regular afternoon with coffee or a slow weekend was reason enough. And out of all the yeasted cakes I grew up eating, this bee sting cake is my favorite.
Many versions I found online treat it like a bread project, kneading the dough with long rise times. So I created my version that uses instant yeast mixed straight into the batter, no kneading required. It gives the cake that subtle yeasty flavor and a lighter texture than a standard cake, without any of the bread-making stress. Trust me, if you've made a cake with baking powder before, you can make this German classic.
Instant yeast is key here, since it requires less rising time than active dry yeast. And cornstarch pulls double duty in the crème pâtissière to protect the eggs yolks from scrambling when you add the hot milk, and thickening it so nothing spills out when you slice your assembled cake. Granulated sugar is important too, since brown sugar would throw off the color.
So if you love a good yeasted cake like this one, my German butter cake should be next on your list!
Let's Bake Traditional German Bee Sting Cake!
Carissa's Baking Tip
When you add the milk mixture to the dry ingredients, make sure it's cooled a bit. Liquid that's too hot can kill the yeast.
Bee Sting Cake | Bienenstich
developed & tested by:
Equipment
Ingredients
Cream Filling
- 2 cups milk
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 3 egg yolks
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Yeast Cake
- 3 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoon honey
- ½ cup milk
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 2¼ teaspoon instant yeast (one packet)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt (use table salt or fine sea salt)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
Almond Topping
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
- ¼ teaspoon salt (use table salt or fine sea salt)
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 cups sliced raw almonds
Instructions
Make the Cream Filling
- In a small saucepan on medium-high heat, combine the milk and sugar. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar. Once the milk starts to boil, remove it from the heat.
- In a small mixing bowl whisk the egg yolks, cornstarch, and vanilla until it forms a smooth, thick paste.
- While whisking the egg yolk mixture constantly, slowly pour about half a cup of the hot milk into the bowl. This will help increase the temperature of the egg yolks without cooking them.
- Immediately pour the egg mixture back into the saucepan and turn on the stove to medium heat. Continue whisking everything in the saucepan. Once it starts to bubble, continue whisking for another 2 to 3 minutes, until it thickens.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat. Pour the mixture into a clean bowl and immediately cover with plastic wrap so the plastic touches the top surface of the cream. (This prevents a skin or crust from forming on top.) Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until it's cold, for at least one hour.
Prepare the Cake
- In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter, honey, and milk. Once the butter is melted, set aside to cool for about 10 minutes. (You want the mixture warm, but not hot when you add it to the dry ingredients.)
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk to combine the flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt. Set aside.
- Whisk the vanilla and egg into the cooled melted butter mixture.
- Pour the melted butter mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir with a large spoon or spatula just until there's no dry flour visible.
- Cover the mixing bowl with a dishcloth and set it in a warm place until it doubles in size, after about one to two hours.
Make the Topping & Bake the Cake
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch springform pan or round cake tin with a removable bottom with a little butter. Set aside.
- Place the risen cake dough into the prepared baking dish. Wet your fingers with water, then gently press the cake batter into all the edges of the baking dish so it's in an even layer. Cover the baking dish with the dishcloth, and set aside while you prepare the topping.
- In a small saucepan on medium heat, combine the sugar, butter, salt, and honey until it's evenly mixed. Allow the mixture to gently simmer for about 8 to 10 minutes, until it turns a dark golden color.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the sliced almonds to completely coat them.
- Pour the almond topping over the cake batter and spread it in an even layer with the back of a spoon. (If you're using a baking dish with a removable bottom, I recommend placing the cake in the oven and then placing a baking sheet on the rack underneath the cake, to catch any melted butter that may drip out of the baking dish. Sometimes the melted butter from the almond topping can leak out the bottom.)
- Bake for 22 to 26 minutes, until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Let cool on a cooling rack for at least 30 minutes.
Add the Filling
- Remove the cake from the baking pan. Use a serrated knife to cut the cooled cake in half horizontally. Lift the top half off and set it aside.
- Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to spread the cooled pastry cream filling onto the bottom half of the cake in an even layer.
- Place the top half of the cake on top of the pastry cream. Slice and enjoy!!
Notes
- Storing: Store leftover cake in the fridge covered with plastic cling wrap for up to 5 days. The custard filling helps the cake stay pretty moist, and the almond topping stays pretty crunchy. So if you happen to have leftovers, they'll still taste great!
Laurie says
The instructions were easy to follow and turned out great! Even though it takes some time it really is worth it. Thank you!
Carissa Erzen says
Thank you for your kind words! I agree, this one has some extra steps but the end result is so worth it!
Laura Vest says
Look forward to trying to this cake. It was my mother’s favorite. And would love to know it. Thank you.
Carissa Erzen says
Aww thank you for sharing that this was your mom's favorite! 🙂 Please let me know when you get a chance to make it! 🙂