Indulge in the rich and authentic flavors of *Günter Hornburg’s Bienenstich*, a classic German Bee Sting Cake that masterfully combines a fluffy yeasted dough, luscious vanilla custard, and a golden almond-honey topping. This traditional dessert is the perfect balance of texture and sweetness: a light, airy base paired with a creamy filling, and a caramelized crunch from the honey-glazed almonds. The recipe takes just a bit of time and care, utilizing techniques like kneading and proofing for perfectly tender results. Ideal for celebrations or an indulgent tea-time treat, this Bienenstich can be made even more luxurious by folding whipped cream into the custard filling. Simple to bake but endlessly impressive, this crowd-pleaser will quickly become your go-to for showcasing German baking at its finest.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, salt, and instant yeast.
Warm the milk to lukewarm (about 37°C or 100°F) and mix it with the melted butter and the egg. Add this mixture to the dry ingredients.
Knead the dough by hand or with a stand mixer (using a dough hook) for about 8-10 minutes until it is smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 60 minutes or until doubled in size.
While the dough rises, prepare the topping. In a saucepan, melt 60g butter, honey, and 2 tablespoons of sugar over low heat. Stir until smooth and then add the sliced almonds. Cook for another 2 minutes, then set aside to cool.
After the dough has risen, grease a 9-inch (23cm) springform pan or line it with parchment paper. Punch down the dough and press it evenly into the pan.
Spread the almond topping gently over the dough. Let the dough rest again for about 20 minutes while preheating the oven to 180°C (350°F).
Bake the cake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown. Let the cake cool completely in the pan.
Prepare the custard filling by cooking the vanilla pudding mix according to the package instructions, using 250ml of heavy cream instead of milk for extra richness. Let it cool completely, stirring occasionally to prevent a skin from forming.
If desired, whip the additional 150ml of whipping cream to stiff peaks and fold it into the cooled custard for a lighter filling.
Once the cake has cooled, carefully remove it from the pan and slice it horizontally into two layers. Spread the custard filling evenly over the bottom layer, then gently place the top layer back on.
Dust the top of the cake with powdered sugar, if desired, before serving.
Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the filling to set before serving. Enjoy!
Serving size | 1326.9 grams (1326.9g) |
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Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
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Calories | 4666 |
Total Fat 291.50g | 374% |
Saturated Fat 150.20g | 751% |
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.20g | |
Cholesterol 872mg | 291% |
Sodium 1652mg | 72% |
Total Carbohydrate 440.20g | 160% |
Dietary Fiber 23.50g | 84% |
Total Sugars 184.10g | |
Protein 70.70g | 141% |
Vitamin D 139IU | 693% |
Calcium 700mg | 54% |
Iron 19mg | 108% |
Potassium 1635mg | 35% |
Source of Calories