Delightful Rosemary Cake by George Wintle

Category: Breads and Pastries Without Borders

This special cake blends woody rosemary notes with honey sweetness and mead's unique flavor. It's wonderfully moist inside, mixed with tiny bits of fresh rosemary for an unexpected savory kick. The cake gets even better with a drizzle of honey-mead syrup, and you can add some mead-infused cream on top if you want. It's super easy to make but feels fancy enough for company. Just follow a few basic steps and you'll have an amazing, fragrant treat ready to share.

Monica
By Monica Monica
Updated on Sat, 26 Apr 2025 15:04:01 GMT
Two pieces of bread with butter and lavender on top. Pin
Two pieces of bread with butter and lavender on top. | flavorsfuse.com

This cake infused with rosemary syrup and topped with mead cream turns basic pantry items into a stunning treat that pairs earthy herb flavors with gentle sweetness. The honey-mead mixture results in a damp, aromatic bake that somehow feels down-to-earth yet fancy all at once.

I whipped this cake up for the first time during a garden party in spring when I wanted something fancy but not intimidating. My kitchen smelled amazing from the rosemary, and everyone kept coming back for extra pieces throughout our gathering.

Ingredients

Step-by-Step Instructions

Two slices of bread with purple flowers on top. Pin
Two slices of bread with purple flowers on top. | flavorsfuse.com

When I first brought this cake out, my grandma asked me to write down how I made it, which means it's really good in my family. She's grown rosemary in her backyard for years but never thought about putting it in sweet things until she tried this cake.

The Magic of Syrup Drizzling

Two pieces of bread with butter and lavender on top. Pin
Two pieces of bread with butter and lavender on top. | flavorsfuse.com

Serving Suggestions

Historical Connections

Storage Solutions

FAQs About the Recipe

→ Why does rosemary work well in a cake?

Rosemary brings a lovely woody and herb-like smell that works surprisingly well with both sweet and savory elements in your cake.

→ What can I use instead of mead?

You can swap mead for apple cider, white wine, or just water mixed with a bit of honey to keep that complex taste.

→ How do I keep the cake from drying out?

Measure everything carefully, don't mix the batter too much, and watch your oven temperature. The syrup you'll add later also helps keep everything nice and moist.

→ Can I use dried instead of fresh rosemary?

Sure, but only use half as much since dried rosemary tastes stronger. Make sure to grind it up really small for the best results.

→ Why add mead cream to this cake?

The mead cream adds a smooth, luxurious touch that really brings out the herby and sweet flavors in the cake.

Wintle's Aromatic Herb Cake

Fragrant herb cake with smooth mead cream, a wonderful sweet option for any gathering.

Prep Time
15 min
Cooking Time
45 min
Total Time
60 min
By Monica: Monica

Category: Fusion Baking

Skill Level: Moderate

Cuisine Style: British

Yield: 10 Servings

Dietary Preferences: Vegetarian

What You'll Need

→ Cake Batter

01 1 cup room temperature unsalted butter
02 1 cup white sugar
03 4 eggs, large size
04 2 cups plain flour
05 1 tablespoon baking powder
06 ½ teaspoon salt
07 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely diced
08 ½ cup milk

→ Syrup and Garnish

09 1 cup honey
10 ½ cup mead, freshly opened
11 Additional rosemary twigs for decoration

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 01

Turn your oven on to 350°F (175°C). Coat a 9-inch round cake tin with butter and dust with flour.

Step 02

Beat butter and sugar together in a big bowl until the mix turns fluffy and pale.

Step 03

Drop in eggs one by one, mixing thoroughly between each egg.

Step 04

In a separate bowl, stir flour, baking powder, salt, and chopped rosemary together.

Step 05

Slowly add your dry mix to the butter blend, switching between that and splashes of milk. Stir until just smooth.

Step 06

Empty the mix into your ready cake tin. Let it bake for 40-45 minutes. It's done when a toothpick stuck in the middle comes out dry.

Step 07

While your cake cooks, mix honey and mead in a pot. Heat until it bubbles softly, then let it thicken a bit. Take it off the heat to cool down.

Step 08

When baked, pull the cake out and keep it in the tin for 10 minutes. Then move it to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Step 09

Once the cake feels cool, pour the honey-mead mix all over the top.

Step 10

Add some mead cream if you want and stick a few rosemary twigs on top.

Essential Tools

  • Round cake tin, 9-inch
  • Several mixing bowls
  • Stirring tool
  • Electric or manual mixer
  • Cooling rack
  • Small pot
  • Wooden pick

Allergy Information

Review each ingredient for possible allergens and consult a healthcare professional if you're unsure.
  • Dairy stuff like butter and milk
  • Egg content
  • Flour with gluten

Nutritional Facts (Per Serving)

This info is for reference purposes only and isn't a substitute for medical advice.
  • Calories: 320
  • Fats: 15 g
  • Carbohydrates: ~
  • Proteins: 4 g