Description
A dense, moist, and spiced traditional honey cake that improves with age. This vegetarian, dairy-free dessert is perfect for Rosh Hashanah and features warm spices like ginger, cinnamon, and cloves.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (340g) light honey
- ½ cup (170g) light or regular molasses
- ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil
- ½ cup (120ml) hot water
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup (200g) white granulated sugar
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan, line with parchment paper, and grease the paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together honey, molasses, oil, and hot water until combined.
- Whisk in eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next.
- Whisk in sugar until the mixture is smooth and glossy.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and espresso powder.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, folding gently with a spatula until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth top with a wet spatula.
- Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with moist crumbs. Tent with foil if browning too quickly after 30 minutes.
- Cool in pan for 15 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely (at least 2 hours, ideally 24 hours for best texture).
Notes
The cake improves with age; let it sit for 24 hours before slicing for the best texture. Use light honey, not dark or medicinal honey. Ensure flour is spooned and leveled, not scooped, to avoid a dense cake. Can be stored at room temperature for up to a week or frozen for up to three months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-55 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: Jewish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/1
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 35
- Sodium: 180
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 52
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 4
Keywords: Rosh Hashanah, honey cake, holiday dessert, traditional, vegetarian, dairy-free, pareve, Jewish baking, autumn dessert