I haven't a clue where this recipe originates. I've been making it for nearly 20 years and in huge quantities since I started catering and baking. I love making this honey cake because when I say deluxe, I mean deluxe. Even back in the bakery days, I would squeeze my own oranges, brew some Starbucks coffee, and run to the liquor store for Canadian whiskey. Between these touches and the price of honey, this honey cake can't help but taste fabulous.

I just wrote the blurb about chocolate honey cake. Ditto on the deluxe honey cake....read that entry and we're good. Isn't funny a second time! What is worth repeating is the need to follow the recipe carefully. It is simple to make but you need to crawl inside the recipe and intuit the romance necessary to make this moist, fragrant honey cake.

These honey cakes remind me of Rabbi Levitin's annual order. Last year I comped the good Rav a few bags full sending him off looking not unlike the guy in the red suit trimmed in white fur. The Rabbi is a purist, although a chocoholic, and he prefers the deluxe honey cake to accompany his best wishes for a sweet new year. Note to self: don't forget the Rabbi ~ I'm not baking this year for the community. This means I'll be in hiding with Elvis and Salmon Rushdie!

On a serious note, I apologize to everyone for not baking this year. I remember the days with orders stretching the block in front of the shop, only letting a few customers in the store at a time. I also remember staying up for 3 days straight, day and night in the same spot! Those days are over but if you know where to eat this year, you'll get to enjoy my challah, honey cake and apple crown cakes. Hint: Kavana and Hillel UW!

Wishing everyone a healthy, prosperous and sweet new year! XO, Leah 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup canola oil
• 4 eggs
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1 1/4 cup honey + 1/2 cup for brushing the top after baking
• 1/4 teaspoon orange extract
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 3 tablespoons whiskey
• 3 2/3 cups flour
• 1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 3/4 teaspoons ground cloves
• 3/4 cup strongly brewed coffee
• 1 1/4 cup raisins

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 325'. Assemble all the ingredients to make sure you have everything on the list.

Combine all the wet ingredients in a mixing bowl. Beat on medium speed until the batter is smooth.

In another bowl, combine the dry ingredients and whisk to blend well.

Measure the raisins in another bowl. Take a handful of the flour mixture and toss on the raisins. This will prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the cake during baking.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture in 4ths alternating with the coffee in 3rds. When all the ingredients are combined, beat a final minute until smooth. Stir in the raisins.

Prep the pan by removing the center of the tube pan. Spray this center piece with non-stick spray. Don't spray the pan. Outline the bottom of the pan on a piece of parchment. Cut out the circle and place in the bottom of the pan. Put the center tube into the pan. Spoon the batter into the cake pan.

You can also bake this in a 9" x 13" pan. I always put a cake decorating nail inverted into the center of the cake pan. This will allow for more even baking.

With a sharp knife, scrape around the pan to loosen the cake. Be very careful to scrape the metal and not whack chucks from the cake itself. With a skewer or fork, poke the top of the cake. Brush with the reserved honey.

Cool completely on a wire rack.

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Comments:

Aya: I made this cake this week for Rosh Hashanah, my first attempt at honey cake, at it was SPECTACULAR- my table of 10 guests were very very happy! Thank you Leah for making our holiday meal wonderful!

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Leah: Great! Thrilled that your first attempt was well received. Try Chic's Sweet Noodle Kugel to break the fast; yum!

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