Origins of Bee Sting Cake
Bee sting cake is a German cake that’s popular in western Germany as well as in Alsace, France. The cake dates back to the 15th century, so the specifics of its invention are not easy to uncover. My favorite legend about its origin is that before an impending attack on the town of Andernach, some apprentice bakers noticed bees’ nests on the city walls. They hurled the bees’ nests at the attackers, which sent the invaders fleeing and badly stung. Bakers in the town invented this bee sting cake to celebrate.
Store the cake, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. I don’t recommend freezing this cake as pastry cream with cornstarch doesn’t freeze and thaw well.
A Crunchy-Sticky Honey Almond Topping
A name like bee sting cake evokes a cake full of sweet honey flavor, and most of the honey is concentrated in the topping. Butter, honey, and sugar melt into a caramel sauce to which a large handful of sliced almonds are added. The top of the cake gets doused before baking and the sauce and almonds caramelize into an irresistible crunchy-sticky, honey-flavored topping.
Ingredients
For the filling
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Yolks from 3 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping crea
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