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Yes, it’s that time again when the Jewish New Year 5769 aka Rosh HaShonah will soon be upon us (begins next Monday night actually).  It is customary to have honey cake to signify a sweet new year … and because everyone loves cake! Here is my version of this tasty cake.

Ingredients:

• 60g wholemeal flour
• 180g plain flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 90g sugar
• 30ml runny honey
• 2 medium sized eggs
• 1 tsp mixed spice
• 1 tbsp whisky
• 90g margarine or butter
• 30ml grape juice

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to Gas Mark 4 or about 200oC for at least 20 minutes.
2. Mix together all the dry ingredients in a large bowl.  If you want you can sift the flour into the bowl.  I couldn’t be bothered and just bunged it in!
3. Add the margarine and cut it up into the flour etc. with a knife.  Then combine the fat and the flour mixture using the rubbing in method to attain a breadcrumb like texture. (Remember if using butter this will make the cake milky).
4. Add the honey and eggs, mix well.
5. Now the mixture will still be a bit ‘dry’ you want to add enough grape juice to allow the mixture to loosen a bit.  However, you don’t want it to be sloppy so just add a little at time to see.
6. If you are making this cake for children then add just two teaspoons of whisky at this point.  (The alcohol in the whisky will cook out in baking, and the taste won’t be too strong and will just bring out the flavour of the honey).
7. Pour the cake mixture into a greased, shallow cake tin (I used a silicone sponge ‘tin’ so I didn’t need to grease it).
8. Place the cake in the medium of the oven for 25 minutes then do the knife test to see if it is done.  The cake may need another 15 minutes or so.
9. Now if this is a cake for adults once the cake is done and cooling, you can make little knife ‘prods’ in the top of the cake but don’t go right through!  Then take a good lug of whisky and splash it over the cake.  The whisky will sink down into the ‘prods’ and as the cake cools it will take on a superb flavour.
10. Serve after dinner with a nice cup of lemon tea or coffee.

I would like to wish a very Happy, Healthy, Wealthy, and Peaceful New Year to all of Klal Yisrael!