Ashkenazi Jews consider honey cake to be an integral part of their New Year celebration. In this recipe, a combination of agave nectar and maple syrup add up to make a vegan honey cake that's practically indistinguishable from the classic version. Adapted from Vegan Holiday Kitchen. Photos by Susan Voisin.
Just-as-Sweet-as-Honey Cake
Makes 2 loaves, 12 slices each
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups whole wheat pastry flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves or allspice
- ½ cup safflower oil
- ½ cup dark agave nectar
- ½ cup pure maple syrup
- 1 cup applesauce
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup raisins
- sliced almonds for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F.
- Combine the first 6 (dry) ingredients in a mixing bowl and stir until completely blended.
- Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the oil, agave, syrup, applesauce, and vanilla. Stir together until the wet and dry ingredients are thoroughly combined, then stir in the raisins.
- Cut two pieces of baking parchment to fit the bottoms of two standard loaf pans (9 by 5 by 3-inch). Lightly oil the sides. Divide the batter among the two loaf pans. Sprinkle the almonds evenly over the tops of the loaves.
- Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center of a loaf tests clean. Take care not to overbake.
- Allow the cakes to cool completely. Use a knife to go around the sides of the loaves to loosen if need be, then carefully remove the loaves from the pans by tipping them into your hand, then setting on a platter. Cut each loaf into 12 slices to serve.
- Return to Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah) recipes and menus.
- Find more ways to make Special Occasions and Entertaining easier and healthier.
- For a vegan honey alternative to use in baking and cooking, try our vegan apple honey.
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Leah says
My mother's non-vegan recipe includes coffee, and I'm trying to figure a way to maintain that part of the flavor. Do you have any suggestions for how to work coffee onto this recipe?
Nava says
Hi Leah — I worry that putting liquid coffee in would make the batter too watery, so what I would do would be to combine about a tablespoon of organic instant coffee in just enough water to dissolve it — to make more of a syrup than a liquid — and just mix that it with the wet ingredients. Great idea, to add a coffee flavor; I hope this works for you!
Anna says
Hi,
I am a honey eating vegan. Do you think I could substitute the agave and maple syrup with honey?
Thanks!
Nava says
Of course, Anna. It would be a one-to-one swap. Happy holiday!
Donna says
I made this AMAZING recipe this morning. One loaf is gone, and the other is heavily disguised in foil and a Ziplock bag. I'm the only vegan in the house, yet this honey cake wins hands down #1. Thanks so much for sharing these tasty vegan options.
Nava says
Thanks for your kind comment, Donna — so glad you're enjoying this; and happy holiday!
CB says
I have all the ingredients on hand except vanilla. Do you think it would still be as good without it?
Nava says
Vanilla adds a nice scent, but in the amount it's used, it won't make a significant difference to the taste or texture. Go for it, and I hope you enjoy it!
Rachel says
Hello!...Can i use a bundt pan mold for the vegan honey cake?...
Randi Burton says
I made this honey cake 1/2 the recipe. I added about 1/3 cup of brewed coffee. The flavor was fabulous when done. I did feel the texture was slightly dry, so I would either add a little more applesauce or oil the next time. I just tried it today and was a great first attempt and very easy to make.
Nava says
Hi Randi — sorry you found the cake a bit dry; I'll check things out next time I make it. Your solutions are both on point. It's also important not to leave it in the oven a moment longer than necessary — the minute a knife tests clean, out it comes!
Ellen says
Could Silan (date honey) be used instead of agave or maple?
Nava says
My guess is that it would work just fine, Ellen.
Allie says
Could you make this with almond flour instead for a gluten free vegan version? Or maybe Bob's Red Mill gluten free baking flour mix? I'm a gluten free vegan and this sounds like a great recipe!