Just Like Honey

Listen to the girl
As she takes on half the world
Moving up and so alive
In her honey dripping beehive
Beehive

Honey Cake




Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year is celebrated on the first two days of Tishrei, the seventh month of the Hebrew Calendar. I like the idea of celebrating all holidays and learning bits and pieces of other customs and traditions. Something that fascinates me about the Jewish faith is that there are so many vast and varied histories behind each symbolic food. For Rosh Hashanah this year, we gathered at a friend’s house and celebrated with apples dipped in honey, mashed potatoes, pot roast, figs, and red wine. If you have been bad about sticking to your New Year’s resolution from January, here is your opportunity to start fresh. The tradition also claims that if you recite your prayers near natural flowing water, your sins will be symbolically cast into the water. Count me in.  As I researched the holiday further, I realized just how crucial honey is to the celebration because it represents sweetness for the following year. With this idea in mind, I happily began to create my very first honey cake. Shana Tova, everyone!
Ingredients:
3 1/2 cups flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1 cup vegetable oil
1 cup honey
1/2 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup warm coffee
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup raisins
Directions:
Mix the dry ingredients separately and then combine with all other ingredients. This recipe made 6 mini bundt cakes and one loaf.Both are cooked on 350 degrees—the cakes for 35 minutes and the loaf for 45.
Toast to health, luck, life, and good friends.

L’Chayim!
-Bay