Recipe: Honey Apple Cake

HONEY APPLE CAKE
One of the traditions of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, includes pairing honey with apples, in the hope of sweetness in the coming year.

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 extra-large eggs
1 cup honey
3/4 cup brewed coffee, cooled
2 large McIntosh apples, peeled, cored, and finely chopped

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Grease the bottom and sides of a 10-inch angel food cake pan. Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit the bottom and line the pan with it. Do not grease the paper. Onto a large sheet of wax paper, sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg. In the bowl of a standing electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the sugar, vegetable oil, and eggs. Beat on medium speed until combined. Turn the machine off and add the honey. Beat on low speed until blended. Increase the speed to medium and beat for 30 seconds. Turn off the machine again and add the dry ingredients, alternating with the coffee, until the batter is combined. (The batter will be loose.) With a wooden spoon, stir in the chopped apples. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 1 hour 20 minutes, or until the cake is deep golden on top and a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove the pan from the oven to a wire rack and let it stand for 5 minutes. Remove the sides of the pan and carefully remove the cake from the bottom. Let the cake stand right side up on a wire rack to cool. Store the cake, covered in plastic wrap, in the refrigerator for 1 week. To Freeze: Make the cake as directed in the recipe, let it cool completely, then wrap it well in plastic wrap and place it in a large freezer bag. Freeze for up to several weeks. To Defrost: Remove all the wrappings and let it stand at room temperature until ready to serve. Makes one 10-inch tube cake, or 10 to 12 servings.


From My Most Favorite Dessert Company Cookbook By Doris Schechter