Honey Cake (2023)

Ingredients:

• 360 grams (3 cups) all-purpose flour (or regular white flour)
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves (ציפורן)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice (פלפל אנגלי), you might be able to substitute ginger
• 240 ml (1 cup) vegetable oil (I use canola)
• 340 grams (1 cup) honey
• 300 grams (1 1/2 cups) granulated sugar
• 110 grams (1/2 cup) brown sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 240 ml (1 cup) warm coffee or strong tea
• 120 ml (1/2 cup) fresh orange juice
• 60 ml (1/4 cup) rye or whisky (optional)
• 50 grams (a handful, whatever) slivered or sliced almonds (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease the bottom and sides of a 9x13-inch cake pan or line it with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices.
3. In another large bowl, whisk together the oil, honey, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.
4. Stir in the coffee or tea, orange juice, and whisky (if using) into the wet mixture.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Make sure there are no lumps but do not overmix.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it out evenly. If using, sprinkle the top evenly with almonds.
7. Bake for about 55-65 minutes, or until the cake is set in the center and a toothpick inserted comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
8. Cool the cake in the pan on a wire rack for about 20 minutes, then remove it from the pan and let it cool completely on the rack.

Notes:

I used three loaf pans. I baked less than an hour because the pans were smaller. It made the house smell amazing. And while it looked burnt on the outside, it was "crispy", and moist in the middle. It's really good!