Lekach Honey Cake

Lekach, or Jewish honey cake, is a honey-sweetened cake symbolically eaten during the holiday of Rosh Hashana, in hopes of ensuring a sweet New Year.

Recipe Ingredients:

1/2 cup strong coffee
1 cup honey
1 tablespoon brandy (optional)
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

Cooking Directions:

1. In a small bowl, combine coffee, honey and brandy; mix well.
2. Beat eggs in mixing bowl; add oil and brown sugar.
3. In another bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking powder, baking soda and spices; mix well.
4. Add flour mixture and honey mixture alternately to the egg mixture.
5. Pour batter into greased 9-inch square pan.
6. Bake in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 55 to 60 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched.

Makes 12 servings.

Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/12 of recipe): 226 Calories; 3 g Fat Total; 4 g Protein; 36 mg Cholesterol; 46 g Carbohydrates; 104 mg Sodium ; <1 g Dietary Fiber; 13% Calories from Fat.

Recipe and photograph courtesy of the National Honey Board.