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In a separate mixing bowl, combine sugar, salt, and vanilla beans. If vanilla beans are out of reach, a quality vanilla extract serves as a perfect substitute. The mixing process is straightforward—essentially, just keep stirring the ingredients together. The batter can come together quickly, often in a span of 5 to 10 minutes.
Mixing the Batter
Once the dry ingredients are mixed, it's time to add the liquids: whole eggs, honey, milk, and oil. Be careful not to whip the mixture—just stir until all ingredients are well combined.
Next, incorporate the sifted cake flour. Start gently to minimize flour dispersal, and then gradually increase your mixing speed. Initially, you'll notice lumps in the batter, but with continued stirring, it will transform into a smooth mixture.