The Best Honey Cake | Soft & Spiced Rosh Hashanah Honey Cake
Soft, warmly spiced, not overly sweet, and somehow just as good for breakfast as it is for dessert. This is the best honey cake and one of my favorite cakes to make for Rosh Hashanah.
Made with honey, brown sugar, warm spices, orange zest, almond flour, and strong black tea, this loaf has the kind of deep, cozy flavor that gets even better as it sits. The crumb is tender, the sweetness is balanced, and the little sprinkle of turbinado sugar on top adds just the right amount of texture.
It’s simple, nostalgic, comforting, and perfect for sharing around the table.
Wishing you a sweet, happy, and healthy new year.
Why You’ll Love This Honey Cake
This Rosh Hashanah honey cake is everything you want from a holiday bake.
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Soft and tender
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Warmly spiced
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Sweet without being overly sugary
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Made with honey and brown sugar
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Brightened with fresh orange zest
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Delicious for breakfast, brunch, or dessert
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Easy to make in one loaf pan
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Even better the next day
It’s the kind of cake that feels special enough for the holiday table but simple enough to make anytime you want something warm and comforting.
Ingredients
You’ll need:
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1 cup all-purpose flour
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¼ cup almond flour
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1 teaspoon baking powder
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½ teaspoon baking soda
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¼ teaspoon salt
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1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
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¼ teaspoon allspice or cloves
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¼ teaspoon ground ginger
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1 tablespoon turbinado sugar
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2 large eggs, room temperature
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6 tablespoons avocado oil or another neutral oil
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½ cup honey
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½ cup packed brown sugar
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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1 teaspoon freshly grated orange zest
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½ cup strong black tea, brewed and cooled
Optional:
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Sliced almonds for topping
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Extra honey for drizzling
How to Make the Best Honey Cake
Step 1
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Grease a 9 x 4-inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper.
Step 2
Brew the black tea first and set it aside to cool.
Using cooled tea is important because you don’t want hot liquid hitting the eggs in your batter.
Step 3
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and brown sugar until smooth.
Add the avocado oil, honey, vanilla extract, and freshly grated orange zest.
Whisk again until everything is well combined.
Step 4
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, almond flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, allspice or cloves, and ginger.
Step 5
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients.
Gently fold until just combined.
Try not to overmix. The goal is a soft, tender honey cake.
Step 6
Slowly pour in the cooled black tea and fold again until the batter is smooth and evenly combined.
Step 7
Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan.
Sprinkle the top with turbinado sugar and sliced almonds if using.
Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 8
Allow the cake to cool slightly before removing it from the pan.
Drizzle with a little extra honey before serving if you’d like.
Enjoy!
Why Black Tea Works So Well in Honey Cake
Strong black tea adds moisture and subtle depth without making the cake taste like tea.
It complements the honey, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves while helping create that rich, old-fashioned honey cake flavor.
It’s one of those quiet ingredients that makes the finished cake taste more complex without anyone being able to pinpoint exactly why.
Tips for the Best Rosh Hashanah Honey Cake
Use Good Honey
Honey is one of the main flavors in this cake, so use one you genuinely enjoy.
A floral or mild honey works especially well because it adds sweetness without overpowering the spices.
Don’t Overmix
Once the flour is added, mix only until everything comes together. Overmixing can make the cake dense.
Let the Tea Cool
Always allow the freshly brewed tea to cool before adding it to the batter.
Use Room-Temperature Eggs
Room-temperature eggs blend more smoothly into the batter and help create an even texture.
Don’t Skip the Orange Zest
The fresh citrus keeps the cake from tasting heavy and gives the honey and warm spices a beautiful lift.
Let It Rest
Honey cake is one of those desserts that gets even better after sitting for a few hours or overnight.
The flavors deepen and the crumb becomes even more tender.
Why Do We Eat Honey Cake on Rosh Hashanah?
Honey is traditionally enjoyed during Rosh Hashanah as a symbol of hopes for a sweet new year.
Honey cake brings that tradition to the dessert table in a warm, comforting way, combining the sweetness of honey with fragrant spices and a tender cake crumb.
Serve it after dinner, alongside coffee or tea, or enjoy a slice the next morning.
How to Serve Honey Cake
This loaf doesn’t need much.
Try serving it:
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Slightly warm
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At room temperature
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With a drizzle of honey
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With fresh berries
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Alongside hot tea or coffee
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With lightly whipped cream
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With sliced apples for a classic Rosh Hashanah pairing
And yes, it absolutely counts as breakfast.
How to Store Honey Cake
Once completely cooled, wrap the cake tightly or store it in an airtight container at room temperature.
Honey helps the loaf retain moisture, and the flavor often improves after the first day.
For longer storage, refrigerate it and bring slices back to room temperature before serving.
A Sweet Addition to the Holiday Table
There’s something about honey cake that feels especially right for gathering around the table.
It’s understated, warm, and full of the flavors that make the season feel familiar.
Pair it with apples and honey, fresh fruit, coffee, tea, or a selection of Feed Your Soul treats for an even sweeter celebration.
Our Cookie gift box and Cookie gift boxes are easy additions to a holiday dessert table or thoughtful gifts for hosts, friends, family, and clients.
For something bite-sized, try our crispy Mini cookies or share a classic Cookie assortment filled with freshly baked Assorted cookies.
More Sweet Ways to Feed Your Soul
For holiday gatherings, family celebrations, and meaningful moments, explore our curated Dessert boxes or choose a special Dessert box to send someone you love.
Planning a larger gathering? Our Bulk cookies make sharing with a crowd easy.
For a fun activity around the table, browse our Cookie decorating kit or explore the full Cookie kit collection.
Shopping for plant-based sweets? Our Vegan gifts offer a thoughtful option for celebrations and everyday surprises.
And if you want the sweetness to continue long after the holiday, explore our Cookie of the month club or indulgent Brownie subscription box.
The Feed Your Soul Difference
We believe food is about more than what’s on the plate. It’s about tradition, celebration, connection, and taking care of the people around us.
We take pride in our process, our facility, our team, our products, and our mission to give back. We bake integrity into everything we do.
Whether you’re baking this honey cake for your Rosh Hashanah table or sending someone a box of treats to wish them a sweet new year, we hope every bite brings a little more joy.
Wishing you a sweet, happy, and healthy new year.
Enjoy!
Xo