For Ashkenazi Jews, Rosh Hashanah tables tend to feature one of two desserts: honey cake or apple cake. The former (lekach) is sweetened with honey and flavored with strong coffee and spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. The latter (apfelkuchen) comes chockablock with tender apples that give the cake an extra moist crumb. But really, why choose? This version combines the best aspects of both desserts into one cake that celebrates the full, complex sweetness of the autumnal New Year season. It tastes lovely right away, but the flavors deepen and blossom the second day.
Serves 8
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup strong brewed coffee
- 1 1/3 cups packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup honey
- 3 large eggs
- 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 cups finely chopped, peeled baking apples (3 or 4 medium)
- Confectioners’ sugar for serving
