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Lekach Recipe (Honey Cake) For Rosh Hashanah

Introduction

As Rosh Hashanah approaches, our homes are filled with the warm aroma of cinnamon, honey, and freshly baked bread. In Scripture, honey is more than just sweetness—it is a symbol of abundance and the goodness of the land Adonai has given us. The Lord promised Israel “a land flowing with milk and honey” (Exodus 3:8), reminding us that His provision is both physical and spiritual.

The Psalmist writes, “How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Psalm 119:103). Honey not only sweetens our tongues but also points us to the eternal sweetness of walking in God’s Word and truth.

Apples and pomegranates often accompany this season, too—apples dipped in honey recalling God’s blessings (Song of Songs 2:3), and pomegranates symbolizing fruitfulness and the commandments (Exodus 28:33–34). For those in Messiah Yeshua, Rosh Hashanah is not just the head of the civil year—it’s a prophetic shadow of the day when the King will return and gather His people, a time of renewal, repentance, and rejoicing in His goodness.

Lekach, a rich and spiced honey cake, is traditionally shared before the holiday or on Rosh Hashanah itself, sometimes given as a gift to wish others a “sweet new year.” In our homes, it is often served after the evening meal, drizzled with extra honey or paired with apples for added symbolism.

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Recipe Summary Card

Recipe title: Lekach (Honey Cake)
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 50–60 minutes
Total time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Yield: 12 servings
Pan size / cooking vessel: 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) pan or 10-inch bundt pan
Difficulty level: Easy
Special equipment: Electric mixer (optional)

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Ingredients List

Use kosher-certified ingredients where applicable.

• 3 1/2 cups (420 g) all-purpose flour

• 1 tablespoon baking powder

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon

• 1 teaspoon ground cloves

• 1 teaspoon ground allspice

• 1 cup (240 ml) vegetable oil

• 1 cup (340 g) honey

• 1 1/2 cups (300 g) granulated sugar

• 1/2 cup (100 g) packed brown sugar

• 3 large eggs (room temperature)

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• 1 cup (240 ml) strong brewed coffee or tea (cooled)

• 1/2 cup (120 ml) orange juice

• 1/4 cup (60 ml) warm water

Optional variations:

• Gluten-free: Replace flour with equal weight (420 g) of a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.

• Sugar-free: Use 1 1/2 cups (300 g) monk fruit or erythritol sweetener instead of granulated and brown sugar.

• Dairy-free: This recipe is naturally dairy-free (parve).

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Step-by-Step Directions

1. Prep the oven & pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) pan or bundt pan.

2. Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves, and allspice.

3. Combine wet ingredients: In another large mixing bowl, beat together oil, honey, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla until well combined.

4. Add liquids: Slowly stir in coffee (or tea), orange juice, and water until blended.

5. Combine & mix: Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined (do not overmix).

6. Pour & bake: Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 50–60 minutes (for bundt pan: 55–65 minutes) or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

7. Cool & serve: Allow cake to cool in the pan for 15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Cool completely before slicing.

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Serving & Presentation

• Servings: 12 slices, about 1-inch thick each.

• Drizzle with warm honey before serving.

• Garnish with pomegranate seeds for symbolism and color.

• Serve alongside thinly sliced apples for a traditional Rosh Hashanah pairing.

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Baking Tips & Troubleshooting

• For a moister cake: Wrap cooled cake in plastic wrap and let it rest overnight before slicing.

• If cake sinks: This may be due to underbaking or overmixing. Check doneness with a toothpick.

• Flavor boost: Add 1 teaspoon grated orange zest for brighter citrus notes.

• Kosher note: This recipe is parve and can be served after meat or dairy meals.

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Dietary Adaptations

• Gluten-free: Use a quality GF flour blend; add an extra tablespoon of orange juice for moisture.

• Sugar-free: Replace all sugar with monk fruit or erythritol; note the cake may be slightly less moist.

• Dairy-free: Already dairy-free; ensure all ingredients (especially sweeteners) are certified parve.

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Storage, Make-Ahead & Freezing

• Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

• Refrigerated: Keeps for up to 1 week; bring to room temperature before serving.

• Freezing: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then foil; freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.

• Refreshing: Warm slices in a low oven (300°F / 150°C) for 10 minutes.

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Closing Blessing & Scripture

“Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.” (Psalm 34:8)

May your Rosh Hashanah be overflowing with sweetness, joy, and the unshakable hope we have in Yeshua our Messiah.

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Printable Recipe Card

Lekach (Honey Cake)
Prep time: 20 min | Cook time: 50–60 min | Total: 1 hr 20 min | Yield: 12 servings

Ingredients:

• 3 1/2 cups (420 g) flour

• 1 tbsp baking powder

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 4 tsp cinnamon

• 1 tsp cloves

• 1 tsp allspice

• 1 cup (240 ml) oil

• 1 cup (340 g) honey

• 1 1/2 cups (300 g) sugar

• 1/2 cup (100 g) brown sugar

• 3 eggs

• 1 tsp vanilla

• 1 cup (240 ml) coffee/tea

• 1/2 cup (120 ml) orange juice

• 1/4 cup (60 ml) warm water

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease/flour pan.

2. Mix dry ingredients in one bowl.

3. Beat oil, honey, sugars, eggs, vanilla.

4. Stir in coffee, juice, and water.

5. Combine dry with wet; mix gently.

6. Pour into pan; bake 50–60 min (bundt: 55–65).

7. Cool before slicing; serve with honey & apples.

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Meta Description:

Celebrate Rosh Hashanah with this rich, spiced honey cake (Lekach), symbolizing the sweetness and blessings of a new year in Yeshua.

Hashtags:

#RoshHashanah #Lekach #HoneyCake #MessianicJewish #BiblicalCooking #JewishHolidayRecipes #SweetNewYear #FaithAndFood #TorahFeasts #BiblicalFeasts