German Bee Sting Cake (Bienenstich) with Vanilla Custard Filling
This classic German Bee Sting Cake (Bienenstich) features a soft yeast dough layered with a crunchy honey-almond topping and filled with rich, silky vanilla custard. With its perfect balance of textures and flavors, it’s an impressive yet approachable dessert ideal for gatherings or coffee breaks.
Equipment
- mixing bowl
- stand mixer or hands for kneading
- saucepan
- baking dish (9x13 inch)
- whisk
- serrated knife for slicing cake layers
Ingredients
- all-purpose flour
- instant yeast
- granulated sugar
- salt
- warm milk
- eggs
- unsalted butter, softened
- honey
- vanilla extract
- unsalted butter (for topping)
- brown sugar
- heavy cream
- sliced almonds
- pinch of salt
- whole milk
- vanilla pudding mix or custard powder
- granulated sugar (for custard)
- vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
- unsalted butter (for custard)
Instructions
- Combine flour, yeast, sugar, and salt in a bowl. Add warm milk, eggs, butter, honey, and vanilla. Knead until smooth and elastic, then let rise for 1–2 hours until doubled.
- Melt butter, sugar, honey, and cream in a saucepan. Stir in almonds and salt, then let cool slightly.
- Spread dough into a greased baking pan and top evenly with almond mixture.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30–40 minutes until golden brown. Cool completely.
- Heat milk, then whisk in custard mix, sugar, and remaining milk mixture. Cook until thickened. Stir in vanilla and butter, then chill.
- Slice cooled cake horizontally. Spread custard over bottom layer and replace top layer.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving for best texture and clean slices.
Notes
Ensure the dough rises fully for a soft texture. Let the cake cool completely before adding custard to avoid melting. Chill before serving for clean slices. The cake can be made ahead for best flavor and texture. Avoid overcooking the almond topping to prevent it from becoming too hard.
Nutrition
Calories: 420kcalCarbohydrates: 52gProtein: 8gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 95mgSodium: 180mgPotassium: 180mgFiber: 2gSugar: 28gVitamin A: 500IUCalcium: 120mgIron: 2mg
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