This is the recipe for the traditional Rosh Hashana honey cake, passed to me directly from my grandmother Ruth, who is in all aspects my baking and cooking guru. Her recipes always turn out perfect!

Toda, Savta!

Ingredients:

4 eggs

¾ cup sugar

¾ cup canola oil

½ cup orange juice

1 cup dark, strong tea (or coffee)

1 cup honey

1 ½ tsp. baking soda

3 tsp. baking powder

½ tsp cinnamon

½ tsp cloves

¼ tsp nutmeg

3 ¼ cup flour

Optional: raisins and nuts (almonds, walnuts or pecans), to taste

Instructions:

Whip the eggs with the sugar

Add the oil slowly, while still mixing the eggs and sugar

Add juice, tea and honey

Sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder and spices

Add dry ingredients slowly to the mixture

Fold in nuts and raisins (if desired)

Bake in a baking pan wrapped in aluminum foil and slightly greased, for 40 minutes in 180 degrees Celsius (375 Fahrenheit).