Name: Gluten Free Greek Honey Cake Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: Greek
Ingredients: 1 cup Gluten Free Flour Blend with xanthan gum (such as Pillsbury or Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 baking flour); 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder; ½ teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; ¾ cup butter or dairy free alternative like Earth Balance Buttery Sticks; ½ cup white sugar; 3 eggs; 2 tablespoon milk or dairy free alternative; 1 tablespoon fresh orange zest; 1 cup chopped walnuts; 1 cup honey; ½ cup white sugar; ½ cup water; 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice; 1 teaspoon fresh orange zest; 1 whole cinnamon stick

Jump to Recipe· 4.9 from 28 reviews

If you’ve ever craved a dessert that’s both comforting and exotic, rich yet light, I think you’ll fall head over heels for this Gluten Free Greek Honey Cake Recipe. It’s the kind of treat that brings a little sunshine to your day with its fragrant spices, luscious honey glaze, and wholesome textures—all without gluten! Stick with me here because this recipe is fan-freaking-tastic, absolutely achievable at home, and something you’ll want to bake again and again.

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Why This Recipe Works

Balanced Flavors: The warm cinnamon pairs beautifully with fresh orange zest and honey for a classic Greek taste that’s bright yet comforting.
Gluten-Free Flour Blend: Using a quality gluten free flour with xanthan gum ensures the cake holds together without being crumbly or dry.
Spiced Honey Reduction: This glaze soaks right into the cake, giving it a sticky, luscious finish that elevates every bite.
Simple Techniques: Minimal steps and accessible ingredients means you can whip this up on a weekday or for guests without stress.

Gluten Free Greek Honey Cake, Greek honey cake, gluten free dessert, honey cake with spices, Greek gluten free baking - A square tray filled with golden brown pastry cut into eight triangular pieces, each piece covered with a shiny, thick syrup that glistens under the light. The pastry has a slightly rough texture, visible around the edges of each cut. The tray is white, placed on a white marbled surface, creating a clean and bright background. The syrup pools slightly in the crevices between the sliced pieces, emphasizing the soft layers of the dessert photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Gluten Free Greek Honey Cake Recipe plays a special role to deliver that authentic, irresistible texture and flavor. Picking the right gluten free flour blend and fresh citrus really makes a difference, so I’ll share my favorites along the way.

Gluten Free Greek Honey Cake, Greek honey cake, gluten free dessert, honey cake with spices, Greek gluten free baking - Flat lay of a small mound of gluten free flour blend, a few scattered whole walnuts, a whole cinnamon stick, a small pile of ground cinnamon powder, three brown eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl with softened butter, a small white ceramic bowl of white sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of honey, a small white ceramic bowl of water, a small white ceramic bowl of fresh orange zest, a small white ceramic bowl of fresh lemon juice, a small white ceramic bowl of milk, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Gluten Free Flour Blend: Opt for blends like Pillsbury or Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 baking flour; they have xanthan gum included which keeps the cake soft yet stable.
Baking Powder: This helps the cake rise gently for a tender crumb without being dense.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances flavor depth.
Ground Cinnamon: A quintessential spice in Greek baking, adding warmth and a rustic aroma.
Butter (or dairy-free alternative): Provides richness and moisture, but you can easily swap with a plant-based option like Earth Balance.
White Sugar: Sweetens perfectly without overpowering the honey glaze.
Eggs: Bind everything together and add structure.
Milk (or dairy-free substitute): Keeps the batter moist and allows for good mixing.
Fresh Orange Zest: Ah, this is the magic! Adds bright citrus notes that cut through the sweetness.
Chopped Walnuts: Give a lovely crunch and traditional Greek texture contrast.
Honey: For that signature sticky Greek sweetness in the cake’s spiced reduction glaze.
Lemon Juice & Cinnamon Stick: Infuse the syrup with subtle acidity and warmth.
Water: To balance the syrup and help it reduce nicely.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the things I love about this Gluten Free Greek Honey Cake Recipe is how adaptable it is. Whether you want to tweak the nuts, play with spices, or adjust the sweetness, it’s super easy to personalize without risking the heart and soul of the cake.

Nut-Free Variation: I’ve swapped walnuts for toasted sliced almonds or just omitted nuts altogether when hosting friends with allergies—it still tastes great!
Dairy-Free Version: Using a plant-based buttery spread and almond or oat milk keeps the cake totally dairy free and moist.
Extra Citrus Kick: Sometimes I add a teaspoon of fresh lemon zest alongside the orange to brighten up the flavor even more.
Spice It Up: For a twist, a pinch of ground cloves or nutmeg can deepen the aroma beautifully.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Gluten Free Greek Honey Cake Recipe

Step 1: Prepping the Pan and Dry Ingredients

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). I like to grease a 9×9-inch pan thoroughly and then line it with parchment paper—trust me, this helps with an easy release and keeps the cake looking perfect. Next, whisk together your gluten free flour blend, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon in a bowl and set it aside. Mixing these dry ingredients now means they’ll be perfectly distributed later on.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar, Then Add Eggs

Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, cream the butter and sugar until it’s light and fluffy—this usually takes about 3–4 minutes and it’s key for a soft cake. Then add your eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition so everything emulsifies properly. At this stage, don’t rush—getting a smooth, airy mixture here really helps the texture down the line.

Step 3: Incorporate Milk and Orange Zest

Next, pour in the milk along with that fragrant fresh orange zest. Mix just until combined. The zest bursts with natural oils that bring a fresh brightness counterbalancing the sweetness and spice, so don’t skip it!

Step 4: Slowly Add Dry Ingredients and Walnuts

Switch to low speed and add your dry ingredients a little at a time. Take care to mix gently so you don’t overwork the batter, which can make gluten free cakes tough. Once combined, gently fold in the chopped walnuts by hand for that lovely crunch scattered throughout the cake.

Step 5: Bake and Check for Doneness

Pour the batter into your prepared pan and bake for about 25 minutes, but start checking at 20 minutes. The golden rule here? The center should barely jiggle when you gently shake the pan, indicating it’s just set. Over baking can dry it out, so keep a close eye—you want moist, tender cake.

Step 6: Prepare the Spiced Honey Reduction

While the cake is baking, make the honey glaze. Combine honey, sugar, and water in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Once sugar dissolves, stir in lemon juice, orange zest, and add your cinnamon stick. Bring to a boil but watch carefully—it boils over quickly! Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes to get a thick, fragrant syrup. Let it cool at room temp until ready to drizzle over the cake.

Step 7: Cool, Slice, and Drizzle

After removing the cake from the oven, let it cool for about 15 minutes. Then, cut it into squares, triangles, or diamonds—whatever shape makes you happy. Pour the spiced honey reduction over the pieces, letting the cake soak up all that sticky goodness. You can also drizzle the glaze just before serving if you want to keep the cake less moist and add the honey personalized per slice.

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Tips from My Kitchen

Watch the Bake Time Closely: Gluten free cakes can go dry quickly, so start checking the jiggle test at 20 minutes and don’t rely on a toothpick alone.
Use Fresh Citrus Zest: I learned fresh orange zest is a game-changer—avoid dried or pre-packaged zest for the best aroma.
Simmer Honey Reduction Gently: Keep the heat steady and watch for boil-overs, stirring occasionally for even reduction.
Choose Your Nuts Wisely: Toasted walnuts work beautifully, but if you skip them, add extra orange zest to boost flavor balance.

How to Serve Gluten Free Greek Honey Cake Recipe

Gluten Free Greek Honey Cake, Greek honey cake, gluten free dessert, honey cake with spices, Greek gluten free baking - The image shows a single slice of a dense, nut-filled dessert with a golden brown top layer that looks moist and sticky, placed on a white plate with a slightly decorative edge. The slice is garnished with thin, curly orange peels on top, and the plate has small drizzles of syrup around the dessert. A fork and knife rest above the plate on a white marbled surface, with soft natural lighting highlighting the texture and color of the dessert. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

Personally, I adore garnishing with extra toasted walnuts or pistachios sprinkled on top for crunch and visual appeal. A little fresh orange zest dusted over brings a burst of color and zesty fragrance. For an indulgent touch, a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream complements the sweetness perfectly.

Side Dishes

This cake is fantastic with a strong Greek coffee or a cup of herbal tea, especially chamomile or mint. If you want to turn your dessert into a full Mediterranean-style spread, pair it with fresh fruit like figs or sliced pears to balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties or special occasions, I sometimes plate the cake pieces on a rustic wooden board, drizzled artistically with extra honey and garnished with edible flowers for that wow factor. It doubles as a centerpiece and a magical way to impress guests while staying gluten free.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Because this Gluten Free Greek Honey Cake Recipe is fairly moist from the honey glaze, I store leftovers covered tightly in the fridge to keep freshness but avoid sogginess. It stays delicious for up to 4 days—just bring slices to room temp before serving.

Freezing

I freeze individual cake pieces well wrapped in plastic wrap and placed in an airtight container. When you want a treat, thaw overnight in the fridge. Freezing might slightly soften the honey glaze, but the cake itself holds up beautifully.

Reheating

If you like your cake a bit warm, I recommend reheating gently in a toaster oven for a few minutes rather than the microwave to preserve texture. A quick 3-4 minutes at low heat brings back that fresh-baked feeling perfectly.

FAQs

Can I use a different nut besides walnuts in this cake?

Absolutely! Walnuts add a traditional texture, but toasted almonds, pistachios, or even pecans work beautifully. If you’re nut-free, you can leave them out entirely and add a bit more citrus zest for flavor.
What gluten free flour blends do you recommend?

I prefer blends like Pillsbury’s or Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 baking flour because they include xanthan gum, which is crucial for structure in gluten free baking. Avoid blends without a binder or you might need to add xanthan gum separately.
How sticky should the honey reduction be?

The reduction should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon but still pourable for easy drizzling and absorption. Simmering for about 15 minutes usually gets it just right.
Can I make this cake vegan?

With some substitutions, yes! Use dairy-free butter and milk alternatives, and replace eggs with flax eggs or a commercial egg replacer. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious.

Final Thoughts

This Gluten Free Greek Honey Cake Recipe is truly one of my favorites to bake when I want something both comforting and a little unique. It brings together simple, wholesome ingredients with traditional Greek flavors in a way that feels like a warm hug at the end of the day. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do—try it out, share it with friends, and watch it become a new staple in your recipe collection.