Honey Cake for a Sweet New Year!

The Jewish New Year starts on Shabbat this year. Generally, I make a shabbat dinner most Friday nights. This Friday's sabbath dinner will be filled with much of the same fan fare but with a little bit extra.

I made a few honey cakes; one for us, one for Levi's preschool teachers, one for our favorite neighbors and some little loaves for some very special people (3 of Eli and Isaac's past teachers).

Rosh hashanah is the beginning of the High Holy Days. From the beginning of Rosh hashanah to the eve of Yom Kippur Jewish people embark upon the serious task of examining their lives and repent for any wrong doings from the previous year. Jews are encouraged to make amends with anyone they have wronged and to make plans for improving during the coming year. This is a time for making peace in the community and striving to be a better person.

For me, it is a time to reflect on the good, the bad and the ugly. There is plenty of all three.

I had never embarked on making a honey cake in the past. I was surfing a few cooking websites this particular one grabbed me. I found this one on the Epicurious website and it isn't called Majestic and moist New Years honey cake for nottin! Not only is the cake laced with loads of honey and sugar, but it has strong coffee, fresh orange juice and lots of wonderful spices. Whether you are Jewish or not, this cake will prove to be a huge crowd pleaser.