For the next two days, I will be digitally incommunicado as I celebrate one of the most important holidays of the year. That’s right, my Jewish friends. It’s Rosh Hashanah!
For those of you scratching your heads right now, that means that the Jewish new year is upon us. It’s traditional to eat apples and honey and other sweet foods to bring on a sweet year. There’s only one problem with that.
Honey cakes are often dry and not worth eating. It’s a serious problem. So here I am, your holiday 411. This cake is definitely worth gobbling!
What I like about the Jewish new year is that it’s introspective. Instead of making resolutions that we can’t possibly keep, the holiday is focused on us reviewing the past year and atoning for the mistakes we’ve made. If we’re truly sorry, and if we really wish we’d done things differently, this is our chance to try again with a clear slate.
But I’m not talking about the things we do constantly and don’t change, like Netflix binge when we’re supposed to be working. It’s not that kind of atonement. It’s centered on how we treat other people, how we treat ourselves, and how we interact with the world around us in a meaningful way. I like to take time to think about that, so it’s a good thing we get two days in synagogue to hammer it all out.
Mistakes are par for the course, but it’s how we respond to them that really makes a difference. I wish I were less of a gossip, and it’s actually considered really wrong in Judaism to speak badly about other people. It’s also the hardest habit to break. After all, what could make us feel more confident than putting someone else down behind her back? Or being the first to deliver news that nobody knows yet? What a great way to feel important.
Over the years as I try to better my own personal habits, I find that the best way to become a better person is to look outward. Nope, not inward. Outward. Look around at all the people who need help, and do something about it. That help could be as simple as giving charity to a local food bank, or more complex, like volunteering precious hours of time to make someone else’s day a little better.
A few years ago, I was discussing the concept of charitable giving with a bunch of teachers. One said, “I don’t need to give charity. That’s what I do every day for a living.” I didn’t say anything out loud, but it make me kind of angry. Sure, teachers are underpaid. And sure, teachers spend their days helping others. However, I get more from my job than it gives me. It’s great to go home at the end of the day not only with a paycheck, but also with the feeling that I’ve done something worthwhile with my day.
On Rosh Hashanah, then, I think about how to be a better person. And of course, I think about how to bake a better cake.
This year, I grated an apple into the cake batter. I was trying to see what it would accomplish. Would it add to the cake’s moisture? Change the texture? What would happen? Oh, the experimental life of a baking blogger.
I grated the apples in so finely that they’re invisible after baking. I could taste the apple in the final product, but not too much. The apple gave the honey cake a gentle edge that honey cake usually doesn’t have. And to add to the moisture content, the cake is topped off with a simple sugar glaze. I’ve never met a bundt cake that didn’t benefit from some glaze on top.
Is this the most moist honey cake ever? In the end, no. But it’s still really good. And next year, I’ll keep trying to make it better, just like I’ll keep trying to make myself better.
To my Jewish friends, shana tovah (happy new year). And to everyone else in the digital realm, I’ll catch up with you in a couple of days!
Ingredients
Cake
3 eggs
3/4 cup honey
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 and 1/4 cups canola oil
1 and 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 and 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon cloves
1 apple, finely grated (I used Granny Smith)
Glaze
1 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2-3 tablespoons milk (I used almond milk)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325. Coat a large bundt pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a medium-sized bowl, beat the eggs until foamy. Add the honey, both sugars, oil and vanilla, mixing again until smooth.
- In a smaller bowl, combine the dry ingredients and spices. Add the dry mixture to the liquid mixture, stirring until the batter is smooth. Mix in the grated apple.
- Pour the batter into the bundt pan and even it out on top. Bake the cake for 55-65 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool completely.
- When the cake is cool, make the glaze. Combine the glaze ingredients until smooth and spreadable. You can either spoon the glaze over the cake, or you can use a piping bag with a hole cut on top to make a pattern.
- Let the glaze set. Cut into slices and serve.
3.1
https://justaboutbaked.com/honey-apple-cake/
I love how you always, always work something important and uplifting into every post you write! This honey cake looks amazing, but your approach to the new year is even more so. Happy new year to you!
Kate @ Framed Cooks recently posted…Chicken Apple Salad
That means a lot to me. Thanks so much, Kate! I’ll be stopping by your blog after the holiday. Enjoy the start to your week!
Happy New Year!!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust recently posted…Pumpkin Spice Snowballs
Thanks, Dorothy! Another fun year ahead!
I really understand and everything you said resonates with me about doing good. I also get it that teachers are underpaid and not respected. I know that I’ve told you I used to be a public defender. It’s not something that everyone understands, but it’s an important job.
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks recently posted…Bourbon Peach Mousse
You’re right about that, Rachelle! We do important jobs because we are passionate about it, not for the money!
I don’t think I’ve ever had a honey cake before, Mir! This one definitely looks soft and full of flavor. What a great dessert!
Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…Apple Cinnamon Pancakes
Thanks, Gayle! It’s definitely a Jewish specialty. Kind of like spice cake, but a little more of that honey flavor.
This looks awesome! I love experimenting with different fruits/veggies in baked goods and seeing how different forms (puréeing , grated produce) transform the dessert 🙂
Yep. I think this might have not made much of a difference, so next time I’ll put in more!
Mir, I had a TON of Jewish friends growing up. . in fact, the middle and high schools I attended as a kid had like 60-65% Jewish kids. . maybe more. Anyway, so I know about Rosh Hashanah! I can’t believe its already that time of the year . . makes me realize the holidays will be here soon and the rest of the year is going to fly by!!! anyway, LOVE this cake and Happy Rosh Hashanah! and the teacher that you mentioned above needs to spend some time in temple or church and think about why he/she is a teacher. Word. 🙂
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom recently posted…Baked Egg Tater Tot Muffins
I seriously blinked and realized that this year has gone by crazy fast. I don’t even know where it goes anymore! That’s cool about your school having so many Jewish kids. You must be an honorary member of the tribe, Alice! 🙂
Happy Rosh Hashanah, Mir! I like ya’lls celebration of the new year much better than mine. I think its great to reflect upon the mistakes we have made in the previous year vs. making shallow resolutions that NO ONE ever keeps. That teacher you mentioned sounds like he/she has a lot to reflect upon! 😉 Anyways, I am loving this cake, girlfriend! Apples and honey in a moist, delicious cake? HEEEECK YES! Pinned! Cheers to a fabulous Holiday! <3
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary recently posted…Perfect Beer Poached Shrimp Cocktail with Remoulade
Thanks, Cheyanne! I did a lot of thinking and a lot of eating. It’s a great combo!
Happy Rosh! I like that you look back on the year, rather than look forward to the next and make resolutions. That is something I want to try and do more of.
Honey and apple cake sounds delicious too. I am so happy for all things apple at the moment.
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy recently posted…Comment on Thai Yellow Curry by Dannii
I’m also happy for all the things apple, Dannii! It’s a great time to reflect as the seasons change. Makes me very introspective. 🙂
This post definitely resonates with me Mir, I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting lately and this has really inspired me. It’s so important to keep on striving towards being a better person and it’s reminded me of that, and just how important helping others is – so thank you so much for sharing this. I hope you have a great holiday! This cake looks beautiful too, I’m obsessed with Bundt cakes! Apple and honey is such a delicious combination!
Harriet Emily recently posted…VEGETABLE YOGURT CURRY
Bundt cakes are the best, Harriet Emily. I love the bottom of the cake where it’s always a little moister. And you are too kind. We all need to reflect now and then!
Honey and apple combined in a cake? Yes! You are speaking my language. It looks gorgeous.
Jen | Baked by an Introvert recently posted…Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs Florentine
Thanks, Jen! I wanted to see what would happen. Good stuff!
When we were studying OT history, we had a mini Rosh Hashanah celebration to give us a feel for what Jewish holidays are like and we all were huge fans of the apples and honey. Definitely good homework memories 🙂 This cake is gorgeous! And that flavor combo, yes yes and YES.
Mary Frances recently posted…Apple Cinnamon Orange Hazelnut Loaf
Apples and honey is SO good. My kids go nuts for it. That is super homework, Mary Frances!
This is one seriously gorgeous cake, Mir! I definitely need to get a bundt pan very soon!
Danielle recently posted…Nutella Stuffed Double Chocolate Cookies
Happy New Year Mir!! The cake looks gorgeous!
Manali @ CookWithManali recently posted…Apple Cinnamon Crepes
Thanks so much, Manali!