Chocolate-Cinnamon Honey Cake

This is my chocolate honey cake for the upcoming Jewish holiday, Rosh Hashanah. In Judaism, Rosh Hashanah means “head [of] the year“, and is the first of the Jewish High Holy Days, also known as the “Days of Awe“.  According to the teachings of Judaism, Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the civil year and is the traditional anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve. Rosh Hashanah customs include sounding the shofar, attending synagogue services (which this year means virtually attending), reciting special prayers as well as enjoying a festive meal.

Eating symbolic foods is also an important part of the Rosh Hashanah tradition, and that’s why this holiday has always been a favorite of mine. Honey cake is considered a Rosh Hashanah go-to, but bland is what comes to mind with most I’ve had. Special foods often consumed on this Jewish holiday are sweet foods or savory foods involving carrots or honey, to help evoke a “sweet” new year ahead.

Honey cakes themselves have had a long and diverse evolution. Love them or hate them, this Rosh Hashanah classic has demonstrated serious staying power over the years. And its evolution exemplifies an impressive culinary journey. Many believe this simple cake connects Jews to the Torah, holidays, and the sweetness of life itself.

Truthfully, I’ve never loved any of the honey cakes I’ve had over the years. So this year I decided to develop my own. My chocolate-cinnamon honey cake altered my feelings about honey cake forever.  With its subtle sweetness and hints of cinnamon and chocolate, I think it’s addictive. Elegant enough for a New Year’s celebration, but simple enough to accompany your Monday morning coffee. (And yes, I’ve tested this). Three basic ingredients make this honey cake exceptional; coffee (decaf is perfectly acceptable), almond flour, and really good quality local honey. The result; is a moist cake, that’s not sticky-sweet, with just the right amount of richness.

But besides blandness, I’m curious, why are the honey cake haters so disproving of such a well-known favorite? Some believe that the honey cake’s place at the table is a matter of tradition or nostalgia, rather than an actual appreciation for the cake itself. One NPR article I read connects the traditional obligation honey cake to its cousin, Christmas fruit cake, both coming with a long list of grievances, such as; being too dense, dry, too sticky, or overly sweet. All of the things I’ve experienced with cakes I’ve had in the past, but I think my chocolate-cinnamon honey cake may just address all of those grievances, while still honoring the tradition itself.

A modernized version of a classic is what I’m calling this honey cake. The base was strong to begin with, to me it just needed more character. Perhaps this recipe will be more appealing to the younger generation of Jews and they will embrace my changes and learn to honor (even like) honey cake like their ancestors.  But what’s important to remember, is that traditions can be just as meaningful, even if some minor adaptations are required along the way, honey cakes included.