Spiced Honey Cake with Caramelized Apples
Since I published my recipe for Autumn Apple bread on Wednesday, I’ve received several emails asking one of two questions: First, is it ok for non-Jewish people to wish Jews a shana tovah? And second, do I have a favorite recipe for honey cake?
The answer to both questions is the same: Of course! I often wish my non-Jewish friends a Merry Christmas and would be delighted if someone wished me a happy new year in any form. Happy Rosh HaShanah, Happy New Year, Shana Tovah, Shana Tova Umetukeh – it’s all good, and very much appreciated. Rosh HaShanah begins tonight (Monday) at sundown and ends on sundown Wednesday, so if you have the opportunity to wish someone a happy new year during that time by all means do so. 
As for the honey cake recipe, below is my favorite. It’s a spiced honey cake topped with caramelized apples and served with vanilla ice cream. Cooked in brown sugar, the apples are a succulent way to combine the apple and honey themes of Rosh Hashanah on one plate. I love how the warm notes of cinnamon, allspice, cloves and nutmeg capture the flavors of Fall, and though the ice cream is optional, I’ve never gone without it. How could I resist a spoonful of cool ice cream, warm apples and spiced cake, the ice cream barely beginning to melt as the spoon makes it way to my mouth? Exactly. I plan to serve this dessert tonight with my homemade pumpkin spice lattes – though obviously I had to sample a slice in order to take the photo shown here. It’s a hard life, being a food blogger.
I hope you enjoy this recipe and don’t forget about the monthly book giveaway! September’s winner will be posted on the giveaway page on October 1st – I plan to post details about October’s giveaway by then too.
Spiced Honey Cake with Caramelized Apples (My Recipe)
Ingredients: Makes 1 8-inch square cake
For the cake:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- A few pinches of freshly grated nutmeg
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2/3 cup honey
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 1/2 cup warm (not hot) English Breakfast tea
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Optional accompaniments: whipped cream and/or vanilla ice cream
For the apples:
- 6 Gala apples, peeled, cored and sliced into 1/2 inch wedges
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 4 1/2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
Put the oven rack in middle position and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly coat an 8-inch square cake pan with non-stick spray (I used Pam).
In a large bowl, gently whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices. Set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer or using a hand-held mixer, cream the softened butter and brown sugar together until fluffy. Add the egg and mix until combined. Add the honey, yogurt, tea and vanilla. Mix until combined.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix with a hand held mixer on the lowest setting, just until everything is combined. Pour batter into prepared cake pan and bake until deep golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Cool on a rack for 10 minutes before attempting to remove the cake.
Making the caramelized apples:
While the cake is baking, make the caramelized apples. Peel and core each apple, then cut into 1/2-inch thick wedges.
Melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add apples; sprinkle with 1 tablespoon light brown sugar. Saute apples until almost tender and beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining 3 1/2 tablespoons sugar. Increase heat to high and gently, but briskly, stir the apples until the sugar melts and apples are golden brown, about 4 minutes. Pour apple mixture onto large plate.
Once the cake has cooled run a thin knife around the edge of the pan, then invert the cake onto a plate and cut into squares. Serve warm or at room temperature, topped with the caramelized apples, along with whipped cream and/or vanilla ice cream, if desired.
Notes:
- You can make the caramelized apples 1 day in advance. Allow them to cool completely (uncovered), then transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator. Reheat over low heat before serving, or in a microwave for 20-30 seconds.
- You can make the cake 1 day in advance. Cool it completely (uncovered), then store at room temperature covered loosely with plastic wrap.
77 Responses to “Spiced Honey Cake with Caramelized Apples”
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Best wishes for the New Year ahead!
beastmomma’s last blog post -> Friday Fill-In #91
Wow, does this look delicious! Happy New Year!
RecipeGirl’s last blog post -> Dare You to Make Fresh Cranberry Jam (with Lavash Crackers)!
Shana Tovah! That Honey Cake looks marvelous! A scrumptious treat! And those caramelized apples, mmmhhhh…….. Paradise!
Cheers,
Rosa
Shana Tovah to you–this cake looks amazing–one of my favorite flavors!!Yum!
Wow. Once again it looks fantastic! I have never had honey cake, but I’m looking forward to trying it!
Shana Tovah! (a few hours early)
I’m actually half-Jewish, though I’ve been really burned out on honey lately so I probably won’t do apples and honey this year
I did find it really cool that one of my law profs said today “for any Jewish students, I just wanted to let you know that the classes on the High Holy Days are already being taped and you don’t need permission to view them for those two days, so if you’re out for either or both, you don’t need to ask me.”
Judith’s last blog post -> How to Get Judith to Drink Milk
Oooh, I love that your recipe uses tea. The ones I’ve made all use coffee — but I think I’d like the subtle notes of using tea instead! I think I might tweak my own recipe tonight…subbing tea for the coffee…. Yum!
Dana’s last blog post -> I’m baaack!
This looks absolutely delicious! And I’m writing down your recipe for homemade pumpkin spice lattes – my fave.
Happy New Year!
Rachel’s last blog post -> Etsy fun
Rachel » Thank you! And yes, homemade pumpkin spice lattes are a great thing to have around in the Fall… I haven’t ordered one from SB since I learned how to make them (shhh…).
Dana » You can use coffee, tea, orange juice – I’ve even seen a recipe that uses coca cola! As with most things, it’s all a matter of taste. I like recipes that use tea or coffee best.
Judith » I hear ya, my 5th graders felt the same way when we had apples & honey in class last weekend! And that’s very nice of your professor, what a relief to not have to explain why you’re missing class (if you are).
Ashley » Thanks! I hope you enjoy the recipe.
Melanie » Shana tovah! So glad you like the cake.
Rosa » Shana tovah! So glad you like the recipe – I’m looking forward to having more of it tonight, hehe.
beastmomma » Thank you & hope the months ahead are sweet and fulfilling for you.
Wow. Yum. That looks fabulous. I am not Jewish, but I may just have to make this cake tonight, and definitely with the ice cream. Thanks!
Erica’s last blog post -> Launch.
Hooray for both answers being “of course!”
Happy new year, Ariela!! Gorgeous baked good, as always.
VeggieGirl’s last blog post -> A Break from Fall Favorites, for a Taste of the Tropics
Hmmm…the image of your dessert is mouthwatering! I’ve been thinking about spice cake recently, think it’s high time I made one.
Mari’s last blog post -> Cookie Carnival: September – Pink Grapefruit (& Lemon) Sandwich Cookies
oh my, that is just gorgeous!!
ttfn300’s last blog post -> Mediterranean Rice Casserole
Shana Tovah!
Wow deliciousness! I wish I could get me a bite of that caramelized apples.
Lorie’s last blog post -> Switchfoot Faves
Lorie » Shana tovah to you as well! I wish you could taste the apples too cause they are darn good. Luckily, they are also very easy to make!
This is a recipe I will definitely try! Thank you!!!!!
Happy Autumn – yay!!!!!!!!
Shana Tovah Ari! This looks absolutely scrumptious and I’m so impressed with how beautiful the photo is…the scoop of ice cream looks picture perfect and I feel like I can smell the cake through the photo. Enjoy with your lattes tonight!
Happy New Year! I must say that I have never met a honey cake that I liked, though I remember some that would have made a great door stop. But yours does look delicious, so perhaps it’s time to give honey cake another chance.
Lydia (The Perfect Pantry)’s last blog post -> Shagbark hickory nuts (Recipe: maple nut cookies)
Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) » Ha, I’ve had more than a few honey cakes like that too. But mine is light and fluffy so dare I suggest you give honey cake another try, and that you begin with my recipe?
Jan » Shana tovah Jan! Thanks so much for your kind words about my photo… it took me a while to get this shot, but I was so happy when I did!
The honey cake looks so delicious- moist and dense. With the apples and ice cream makes a really lovely dessert.
Reeni’s last blog post -> Baked Cheese Manicotti & Homemade Marinara
Happy Rosh HaShanah Ari…have a wonderful year. Love the warmth & spiciness of this cake. the apples & ice-cream are really inviting me to jump into the screen. I made your scones with coffee glaze the other…runaway hit though my dough turned out be quite sticky & I had to add more flour. Cheers & have a great day. Deeba
Deeba’s last blog post -> TOMATO TART…An eventful tart!
Deeba » Happy Rosh HaShana Deeba! I’m glad you made and enjoyed the scones. You’re right ,the dough can be a bit sticky, but adding extra flour so you can handle it is just the way to go. Good job!
What a yummy looking dessert!
What a fabulous way to celebrate! I may make my first recipe with this depending on what I do tomorrow night. L’Shana Tova!
What a gorgeous version of honey cake… It has to be the most beautiful one I have ever seen. Happy New year!
Alexa’s last blog post -> Edamame Avocado Sandwich Spread
i’m not a big honey fan but this cake looks delicious – i might have to try it. and the apples – sighhhhhhhhhhhh. i bet they would be good on gingerbread. what do you think?
happy new year.
Simply delicious!
Well, have a great shana tovah (i hope that’s not grammatically incorrect!)
The Muslim Festival of Eid is in two days; I was looking for a recipe for something sweet yet different. This is the perfect, perfect indulgence after a month of fasting… oh yummy!
jacquie » I’ve never tried caramelized apples with gingerbread, but you know, it would probably taste fantastic! If you try it let me know what you think.
Specs » It sure is grammatically correct and thank you! “Shanah” means year and “tovah” means “good” so you said “have a great good year.”
That would be wonderful if you made this treat for Eid. What is the traditional greating for Eid? Can someone say Happy Eid? You should write a post about it!
first and foremost, happy new year to you!
secondly, the cake sounds terrific, especially accompanied by those amazing apples. excellent recipe.
grace » Shana tovah! And thanks, I’m glad you like the recipe.
Maz » Shana tovah Maz! Have a sweet & fulfilling new year. *hugs*
For the butter phobic, how about some applesauce to replace it in part? An appropriate solution? And a misreading — pumpkin spice latkes (for latte)! Now there’s an idea; have to try that!
Many wonderful tastes in the year to come, and thank you for all the good you are doing.
susan g » I wouldn’t replace the butter with applesauce but vegetable or olive oil are excellent alternatives. The vegetable oil doesn’t have any flavor so that would not alter the taste of the cake, but olive oil has a slight flavor so it might affect it a bit. Applesauce might work, but the differences in fat ratios between the butter and applesauce would alter the texture of the cake.
I’d never thought of pumpkin spice latkes! Hmm… not sure how those would taste, but if you come up with a killer recipe I definitely want to see it! Shana tovah!
Happy Rosh HaShanah Ariela! This cake with a pumpkin latte sounds wonderful!
Marie’s last blog post -> Butternut Squash Lasagna w/ Roasted Garlic and Rosemary Bechemal!!
‘Happy Eid’ is just what we say too!
Although, traditionally, we say ‘Eid Mubarak’… it means ‘Happy Eid’
Specs’s last blog post -> Eid Greetings!
What a beautiful cake and a wonderful way to use both apples and honey in your dessert!!!
Shana tova! May you have a very sweet new year.
MMMMM…….that cake looks so good. I jsut might have to make it tonight!
Shana Tova Umetukeh!
I’m going to an apple festival this weekend, so this cake will be perfect to make! I just hope I have enough time (and enough apples left!)
Carla’s last blog post -> Contest at Baking Delights!
That honey cake looks soo good! I love it!
wow, that cake looks most excellent! I wish I had a piece right now!!
Your cake looks great, I love caramelized apples!
It’s starting to feel like fall and this recipe is perfect for the season.
kristi’s last blog post -> Thrifty Finds and a Question
Thanks, I needed a honey cake recipe to make for the holidays! I will make it tomorrow with my daughter.
jennifer Carden’s last blog post -> Music to my ears, I think?
Thanks, I needed a honey cake recipe to make for the holidays! I will make it tomorrow with my daughter.
jennifer Carden’s last blog post -> Music to my ears, I think?
What an apple and ice cream dream. Shana tovah, and thank you for the recipe!
Passionate Eater’s last blog post -> Play-By-Play Pico de Gallo
oh my, so many tempting recipes. that fall autumn bread looks divine as does this honey cake. and homemade pumpkin spice lattes?! that could save me a near fortune this fall!
Shana Tovah sweetie! And that looks so yum!
Shellyfish’s last blog post -> Hey baby, do you dip?
Hi Ari,
I love your blog very much. You have really nice recipes and all the photographs. I would like to share with others. I listed your blog in this directory. Thank you for sharing.
Kasuva Tova! This honey cake sounds awesome, and I love the apples on top. It perfectly combines the Rosh Hashona theme. Unfortunately I only saw it today. I am however thinking of making it for Sukkos.
Just one thing, I want to be able to serve it as dessert after the meat meal. What could I substitute the yogurt for? I am thinking of using toffuti sour cream, would that work?
The picture alone is enough to tempt me! It looks delicous and that looks like some good icecream!
I know what you mean, yesterday I had to sample a whole coffee and walnut cake, for blogging purposes of course!
Bev’s last blog post -> tablet
Your honey cake looks fabulous, Ari. The caramelised apples on the side are a perfect accompaniment.
cookingenthusiast » Hmm, good question! I’m not sure if toffuti sour cream would work (probably). I emailed my friend, Rabbi Rebecca Joseph, from The Parve Baker to see what she thinks. I’ll let you know what she says and post the answer here too!
Bev » People don’t realize that being a foodblogger means making personal sacrifices. Sometimes you have to eat that second (or third) slice… you know, just to make sure the recipe is perfect and all.
cookingenthusiast » This just in from The Parve Baker, RE: Yogurt substitutions:
“Try unsweetened applesauce for the yogurt for a parve version…With a scoop of good quality soy-based ‘ice cream’ on the side, of course.”
Hope this helps!
Well, you sweet thing, Shana tovah!
Madam Chow’s last blog post -> A New Blogging Event for Me: Recipes to Rival
Wow. Your posts continue to amaze me! This looks absolutely heavenly.
jessy’s last blog post -> Bagels
what a perfect way to welcome this new fall season! this looks so wonderful-the cake and the apples together are to die for! i’m going to have to try this asap!
megan’s last blog post -> hello, fall.
Thank you very much, yes your answer helped. Applesauce is a good substitute, since it’s something I always have in the house. Also your friends blog name sounds quite interesting. I will check that out too.
Thank you for the quick response. You are great. I see you really went out of your way to get the answer for me.
cookingenthusiast’s last blog post -> Re: Soups & Stews
What a beautiful presentation. The apples really caught my eye because I like any type of dessert that has them in it. I will definitely be trying this for my next dinner party.
That looks wonderful Ari.
barbara’s last blog post -> Weekend Words – Rwanda
while i’m really, really late to the party as always… but shana tovah! and that cake looks wonderful!
evil chef mom’s last blog post -> Two Dirty Secrets…
I;ve been looking for a good honey cake recipe. I think I have found it. Yum
Minko » Happy to be of assistance.
you are amazing! this looks delicious!
This is making my mouth water – I love autumn baking season.
hey, would love to make this recipe for rosh hashana.. do you know what i could substitute the yoghurt for to keep the cake non-dairy? thanx and shana tova!
I suppose you could try a soy based yogurt. I haven’t tried it but that might work. (I’m a vegetarian so I haven’t tried to make this non-dairy.)
this sounds like the perfect fall dessert. Thanks