Tuesday 16 March 2010

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.

15 comments:

Cool Lassi(e) said...

Nice moist honey cake. Looks wonderful. Yeah I agree that baking is a lot of fun.

Hey, check your mail when you get a chance. Double check the Spam folder too. I sent you what I have been meaning to send over last week. Good Day!

Namitha said...

This would melt in the mouth..orange juice, vanilla, coffee, rum..so full of flavors..would have tasted great too :-)

Champa said...

Got your entry. Thanks. Cake looks lovely. It'll be on this Friday's roundup.

Pointblank said...

girl... baking is therapeutic eh???

Tina said...

Sooooo soft and delicious..

Miriam Korula said...

nish...i love the color....i can't say i will try it soon...;)...but i'm promising myself i will try it when ever i start baking...:)

Graziana said...

I love honey and your recipe looks great!

My Kitchen Antics said...

POintblank..yes it is i feel, but the cleaning up after that..not so great:)
Miri....once you start and if it turns out great im sure you'll love it just as much as i do

shriya said...

Very yummy recipe. Nice clicks...

Unknown said...

Nice cake..
My email id is vineethasusheeb@googlemail.com.
Hoping to hear from u soon :)

Cicily Antony said...

love anything which has rum in it...this looks really tempting...and i'm fine now...was not well...and that's how my laziness strtd...will b bck soon...thanx for asking...here is my mail id... cicyantony@gmail.com

Anh said...

This cake has such a warm quality. I am putting it on the "to-make" list.

Gomathy S said...

Hey first time here and started following you... the cake looks real lovely..I have a big bottle of honey and would like to try this out !!

Simplyfood said...

First and fore most many thanks for dropping by my blogsimply.food your visits and comments are very much appreciated.
Now for your blog well for sone one who claims they are "a complete disaster in the kitchen" you have an amazing collection you have cooked and posted .
The honey cake looks gorgeous, moist and temptingly delicious.Following your blog for more.

s said...

just wanted to let u know that i tried this cake and it was amazing.....thanks a ton..