Ingredients

The following ingredients have 10 Servings
  • 1/2 cup honey (162g)
  • 1/2 cup sugar (100g)
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter (60g)
  • 1/2 orange zest (ie zest from 1/2 orange)
  • 2 tbsp marmalade (or fruit jam eg apricot, plum)
  • 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour (210g plain flour)
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda ((bicarbonate of soda))
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp allspice
  • 1/2 tsp cloves
  • 1/8 tsp cardamom
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup milk (120ml)
  • 1/2 cup confectioner's sugar (55g icing sugar)
  • 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter (15g)
  • 1 tbsp boiling water

Instruction

  • Preheat the oven to 355F/180C. Lightly butter a 9x5in (23x13cm) loaf tin (8 1/2 x 4 1/2in/ 21x11cm also works) then line it with parchment, at least through the bottom and up longer sides.
  • Put the honey, sugar, butter, orange zest and marmalade or jam in a small pan. Warm them together over a medium-low heat until the butter and sugar dissolve. Remove from heat and set aside.
  • Mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices in a large bowl. Lightly beat the eggs. Add the honey-butter mixture, milk and eggs to the flour mixture and mix so they are well combined but try not to over-mix.
  • Pour the mixture into the lined loaf pan and transfer to the oven (lower middle shelf). Bake for around 50 minutes until the top is golden and a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean.
  • Allow the loaf to cool slightly, then mix together the frosting. Sift the powdered sugar into a small bowl and add the cocoa powder. Melt the butter then add this and the boiling water to the sugar and mix well. Spread over the top of the loaf evenly, but try not to over-work it. Ideally leave it to harden before taking the loaf from the pan and slicing, but it will be fine if you do while still slightly warm.