Fragrant Honey Cake (Lekach) for Rosh Hashanah
1 hour 20 minutes
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About Fragrant Honey Cake (Lekach) for Rosh Hashanah
Wishing you a sweet new year! This fragrant Lekach, a traditional Jewish honey cake, is the perfect way to celebrate Rosh Hashanah. Its moist and tender crumb is infused with the warmth of cinnamon, ginger, and allspice, promising a truly delightful experience.A touch of orange juice and rum adds a depth of flavor that will tantalize your taste buds. The simple preparation makes this recipe accessible to bakers of all skill levels, from novice to expert.Enjoy a slice of this delicious Lekach as a sweet ending to your holiday meal. It's a taste of tradition that's sure to become a new favorite.
Recipe Time & More
Prep20 minutes
Cook1 hour
Total1 hour 20 minutes
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup All-Purpose Flour
- 1/2 tbsp Cinnamon ground
- 1 tsp Allspice
- 1 tsp Ginger ground
- 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
- 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Sugar granulated
- 3 Large Eggs separated
- 1/2 cup Vegetable Oil
- 1/2 cup Honey
- 3 tbsp Orange Juice
- 1 tbsp Rum
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a bundt pan. This ensures the cake releases cleanly after baking.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, allspice, ground ginger, baking powder, and baking soda. This combines the dry ingredients and ensures even distribution of the spices.
- In a large bowl, beat the egg yolks and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. The mixture should double in volume. This creates a base for a tender and moist cake.
- Add the vegetable oil, honey, orange juice, and rum to the yolk mixture. Mix well to combine.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to a tough cake.
- In a separate clean bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. This adds air and lightness to the batter.
- Gently fold the beaten egg whites into the batter in three additions, ensuring not to deflate the whites. This maintains the airy texture of the cake.
- Pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan and bake for 60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Baking time may vary depending on oven accuracy.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling the cake prevents it from crumbling and allows the flavors to meld.
Recipe Notes
Good To Know
- For extra depth of flavor, steep a black tea bag in the liquid used for the cake (such as orange juice or coffee) before adding it to the batter.
- If you like a denser, moister honey cake, wrap the cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap and let it rest for 1-2 days before serving.
- To give your Lekach a festive look, dust it with powdered sugar or drizzle with a honey-lemon glaze just before serving. For added texture, sprinkle finely chopped toasted walnuts or almonds on top.
- For a dairy-free version suitable for kosher meals, use neutral oil (like sunflower or canola) instead of butter, and check that all other ingredients are pareve.
Expert Tips
- Don't overmix the batter, as this can lead to a tough cake. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
- For a more pronounced honey flavor, use a darker, more robust variety of honey, such as buckwheat or wildflower honey.
- Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean, the cake is done.
Storage Instructions
- Store leftover Lekach tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Recipe Nutrition
Calories: 223kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 3gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gSugar: 16g
6 Comments
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Such a scrumptious dish! Thank you.
Such a beautiful dish! Can’t wait to try it.
This looks very nice and comforting 🙂 !! A typical granny’s kind of recipe
Very informative description..and very inspiring recipe.
This is awesome! Can’t wait to cook it.
This is so tempting! Can’t wait to cook it.