Oh! Honey Honey

Yes, I made this beautiful Honey Cake yesterday and couldn't wait to post it. It was so moist that it was crumbling in my hand and the taste....the honey, spice and coffee in it was way too delicious for words.

Had major withdrawal symptoms not baking, and we were feasting on fruits as an after meal dessert whole of last week. I finally had to do some baking and at 9 in the night I made this brilliant honey cake which i think is my most favourite after the French Yoghurt Cake. I somehow feel baking is therapeutic, well second to a shopping spree or a spa package of course ;)

This Honey Cake is apparently part of the Jewish New Year tradition and I adapted it from a recipe on this website. I have halved the measurements since i was a bit sceptical on how it would turn out and in spite of that i got a comparatively large cake.

All purpose flour- 1 3/4 cup

Baking powder- 1/2 tbsp

Baking soda- 1/2 tsp

Salt- 1/4 tsp

Ground Cinnamon- 2 tsp

Ground Cloves- 1/4 tsp (about 2 to 3 cloves powdered in a coffee grinder or pestle and mortar)

Granulated sugar- 3/4 cup

Brown Sugar- 1/4 cup

Vegetable Oil- 1/2 cup

Honey- 1/2 cup

Egg- 1 large or 2 small

Vanilla extract- 1/2 tsp

Warm coffee or strong tea- 1/2 cup (I added 1 tsp instant coffee to half cup warm water)

Fresh orange juice- 1/4 cup

Whiskey/ Rum- 2 tbsp (optional)

Almonds-1/4 cup (sliced)

Moist Honey Cake

Preheat the oven to 175 C.

Butter a 9x9 inch pan (I used a Square Spring form cake pan)

In a large bowl whisk together the flour, baking pwd, baking soda, salt, cinnamon pwd and ground clove powder.

Make a well in the centre and add the white and brown sugar, honey, oil, egg, vanilla, coffee, orange juice and whiskey (if using).

Whisk lightly till they are all mixed well and using a hand beater on low speed blend well till you get a nice thick batter.

Pour into the prepared cake pan and sprinkle the almonds on top (if using) and bake for 40 to 45 minutes or till a skewer comes out clean.

Wait for about 10 minutes and cool on a wire rack.

Drizzle some cream and serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes: I think you can substitute orange juice with lime juice

The cinnamon was a wee bit over powering, so i would reduce it to 1 tsp the next time.

I didn't use the almonds and also avoided the whiskey since a friend who was around was anti- alcohol. Id definitely try it out the next time.

I'm thinking walnuts would also be an interesting addition. next time, i guess:)

I am sending this to the Bake Off event hosted by Champa.