SHF 10 - Honey

This month I chose to make Lekach from Claudia Roden's The Book of Jewish Food. This is a Jewish honey cake made since the middle ages in Germany. It is customary for young boys attending heder to bring a piece of honey cake on the first day. They are also eaten at festive occasions in Eastern Europe and it is the traditional cake of Rosh Hashanah.

This is as delicious as claimed in the book and is one of the reasons I now need to go to they gym.

Lekach
2 eggs
7 oz sugar
4 fl oz vegetable oil
90z dark liquid honey
4 fl oz strong black coffee
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
pinch salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp powdered cloves
grated zest of 1 orange
10oz plain flour
2 oz chopped walnuts
1.5 oz sultanas

Beat eggs with sugar till pale and creamy. Beat in oil, honey, brandy and coffee.

Mix baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves and zest with the flour. Add to egg and honey mixture gradually, beating to a smooth batter.

Dust sultanas and walnuts with flour.

Line 9" sq pan with parchment paper (essential as cake is sticky). Grease and flour pan. Add batter and sprinkle on sultanas and walnuts - this helps them not fall to the bottom of the cake. They will sink in baking. Bake at 350F for 1.25 hrs