Simple and Delicious Spiced Honey Cake with Spelt.

Last updated on September 23rd, 2023 at 10:00 am

When it comes to timeless desserts that evoke warmth and nostalgia, few can rival the honey cake. Honey cake is a traditional dessert in many cultures, and it’s easy to see why. This sweet and moist cake is perfect for any occasion and is a favourite in our family, especially during Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.

Move over Pumpkin, Here Comes Your New Favourite Fall Loaf

For Jewish people on the New Year, honey is a symbol of sweetness and hope for a sweet year ahead. Eating honey cake during Rosh Hashanah symbolizes the desire for a year filled with happiness, joy, and prosperity. While we enjoy honey cake in September for the holiday, we find ourselves making it over again during the Fall and into the Winter months. We welcome the fragrant spices that infuse our kitchen with a comforting warmth that feels like a hug from a cozy sweater on a chilly day.

This cake made with the wholesome richness of honey and whole grains, offers a delightful balance of sweetness and savoury complexity. And, with the addition of grated apple, every bite remains super moist, making it a delicious treat that has now become a staple season after season.

The Secret to Making the Perfect Honey Cake

The real secret to making the perfect honey cake is to use high-quality ingredients. Our recipe uses spelt in combination with all-purpose which gives the cake a really nutty and slightly sweet flavour. We also give it a warm spicy flavour by adding some of our favourite spices cinnamon, ginger and cloves.

• To intensify the honey flavour, try using darker honey.
• If you’d like your honey cake to be a bit less sweet you can reduce the honey in the recipe by half.
• For a nuttier flavour and added nutrients add chopped toasted nuts to the batter.

Flour Specs

• 50% organic all-purpose flour
• 50% fresh-milled spelt flour

While we usually use spelt for this recipe, we often substitute other whole grains. To learn more about whole grains and how you can mill your own, check out my guide to milling your own flour.

Baking Equipment You’ll Need

• 2 Medium mixing bowls for the cake + 1 small for the glaze
• Stand mixer or hand mixer
• Grater
• Spatula
• Whisk
• Loaf pan – 8.5 x 4.5 inches/21.6 x 11.5 cm

How to Store Your Honey Cake

If you happen to have leftover honey cake you can put it into an airtight container and store it at room temperature for about 2-3 days. You can also place it in the fridge for up to a week or tightly wrapped in the freezer for 6-8 weeks.

Ingredients

For the cake:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sifted spelt flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger (or 1 tsp if using freshly grated)
• 1/2 tsp ground all-spice
• 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
• pinch of salt
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup strong brewed coffee or tea
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 3 eggs
• 1 apple, grated
• *optional add-ins: 1 cup raisins and/or 1 cup chopped nuts

For the glaze:

• 1 cup confectioners (icing) sugar 
• 2-3 tbsp. milk or cream
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

For the cake:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F
2. Grease an 8.5 x 4.5″/21.5 x 11.5 cm)-inch loaf pan.
3. In a medium bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, spelt, baking powder baking soda, spices and salt.
4. Using a stand or hand mixer, beat the oil, coffee or tea, brown sugar and honey on medium speed until combined. Add in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla. Don’t forget to scrape down the bowl when necessary. Change the speed to low and slowly add in the flour mixture. Mix just until combined, be careful not to over-mix. 
5. Using a spatula, fold in the grated apple and any additions you are using. 
6. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 70-80 minutes mins or until golden brown. Test the doneness by inserting a cake tester or toothpick and look for the cake tester to come out clean.
7. Take the cake out of the oven and let stand for 5 minutes. Carefully remove the cake from the cake pan and cool on a wire rack.
8. Store in a sealed container at room temperature for 3-4 days or 7 days in the fridge. This cake also freezes well.

For the glaze:

1. Using a whisk or a hand mixer, mix all ingredients together in a bowl.
2. *Optional: Add another 1-2 tbs of milk or cream to achieve a runnier consistency.
3. Drizzle glaze over a cooled loaf.

Honey Cake Final Thoughts

In a world filled with countless desserts, honey cake stands out as a timeless classic, rich in both flavour and tradition. As we savour each bite, we’re not just indulging our taste buds; we’re partaking in a centuries-old custom that transcends generations and cultures. Honey cake isn’t just a dessert; it’s a symbol of hope, unity, and the pursuit of a brighter, sweeter future.

Whether you’re baking it to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, sharing it with loved ones on a special occasion, or simply craving a taste of nostalgia, honey cake has the power to evoke emotions and memories like few other baked goods can. Its simplicity in ingredients and preparation is a testament to the beauty of tradition, reminding us that the most meaningful things in life often come from the heart.

So, the next time you cut a slice of honey cake, take a moment to appreciate the warmth it brings to your palate and the cultural richness it represents. Let it be a reminder that sometimes, in the hustle and bustle of modern life, the sweetest moments are found in the simple pleasures of tradition, family, and a slice of homemade honey cake.

If you enjoyed this recipe and using whole grains in your baking, you will for sure love our recipe for Apple Crisp with Maple and Red Fife.

Recipe Card For Simple and Delicious Spiced Honey Cake with Spelt.

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