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Home » Baking and Desserts » Sticky & spicy honey cake with a sweet honey drizzle

Sticky & spicy honey cake with a sweet honey drizzle

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A rich, dark, and sticky honey cake spiced up with fiery ginger and zesty orange. A delicious way to celebrate a sweet New Year – or a treat any time!

Growing up, my Mum never made honey cake for Rosh Hashanah. She would make an enormous slab of the darkest, stickiest, sweetest ginger cake, which had a very generous amount of golden syrup in it, instead.

Spicy and sticky honey cake.

On this page...

  • Size is everything
  • Sticky honey cake
  • Honey cake ingredients
  • Simple decorations
  • Delayed gratification
  • Shana Tova U’Metuka
  • Sticky honey cake with ginger
  • More delicious Rosh Hashanah cakes and bakes

Size is everything

I say enormous, it’s possible that since I was quite small, everything just seemed big. Maybe I only remember it being a vast expanse of cake when it was really just a completely normal size. Although I do seem to remember her baking it in a roasting tin, then cutting into loaves. But memory plays tricks, so who knows?

Sticky honey cake

I’ve made honey cake a few times, but it never quite lived up to the memory of that sticky, spicy cake of Mum’s.

This year I decided to attempt a hybrid honey/ginger cake. I stuck with runny honey instead of golden syrup, used soft brown sugar for added richness and flavour, and spiced it up with ground ginger and the zest of an orange.

I made a smaller and more modest loaf cake, but I may well double the recipe and make two in time for Rosh Hashanah. 

Sliced honey cake.

Honey cake ingredients

A lot of honey cake recipes call for coffee, which I don’t like as I think it masks the flavour of the honey. This recipe doesn’t use coffee but instead has orange zest and ginger which (in my opinion) highlight the honey flavour beautifully.

To make this cake yourself, you will need:

  • Honey – obviously! Choose a mild or a stronger flavoured one as per your preference.
  • Brown sugar
  • Plain flour – also called all-purpose flour.
  • Baking powder and bicarbonate of soda – for a lovely light textured cake.
  • Olive oil – or you can use any mild-flavoured vegetable oil.
  • Eggs
  • Milk or a plant-based alternative – I like to keep my cakes dairy free.
  • Ground ginger
  • Orange zest
  • Vanilla extract – optional but I like to add a dash to enhance the flavour.
Ingredients for making sticky honey cake: honey, flour, ground ginger, brown sugar, eggs, olive oil, milk and orange zest.

Simple decorations

Mum’s cake was always unadorned. However I decided that since Rosh Hashanah is such a special occasion, I would add a little decoration to mine. Just a simple drizzle of honey icing, and some strands of orange zest for extra fanciness!

My daughter Kipper thought that my simple decorations looked “beautiful Mummy!” Although she was quite put out at having to wait while I took photographs before she could taste test it.

Delayed gratification

Unfortunately, the completion of photography happened almost exactly at lunchtime. Rather than tuck in, we shared a little slice and then put it away until we’d eaten something a bit more savoury for our lunch. It was quite hard to concentrate on cheese salad sandwiches though, knowing what was waiting for dessert!

Spicy and sticky honey cake on a board with a cake slicer.

Shana Tova U’Metuka

The cake was just as gooey and sticky and rich and spicy as I’d hoped, with a wonderful honey flavour – the perfect homage to my Mum’s ginger cake, while still being definitely a honey cake. 

What a Rosh Hashanah treat!

Makes 1 loaf cake – cuts into 8-12 slices.

Spicy and sticky honey cake.

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sticky & spicy honey cake

Sticky honey cake with ginger

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A rich, dark, and sticky honey cake spiced up with fiery ginger and zesty orange.A delicious way to celebrate a sweet New Year – or a treat any time!
4.77 from 13 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 40 minutes mins
Total Time 55 minutes mins
Course Cake, Dessert
Cuisine Jewish
Servings 8
Calories 273 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 75 g soft brown sugar
  • 100 g runny honey
  • 150 g plain flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • zest of an orange
  • 75 ml olive oil (or use a flavourless vegetable oil)
  • 2 eggs
  • 125 ml plant-based milk (I used oat milk)
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

For the honey icing & decoration

  • 40 g icing sugar (powdered sugar)
  • 1 teaspoon runny honey
  • 1 teaspoon plant-based milk (I used oat milk)
  • Strands of orange zest

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Line a 1.2kg (2lb) loaf tin with greaseproof paper.
  • Put the sugar and honey into a small saucepan and heat on a low flame, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is dissolved. Do not allow the mixture to boil. Remove from the heat once the sugar is all dissolved.
  • In a large bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, ground ginger, and orange zest.
  • Separately, whisk together the oil, eggs, plant-based milk, and vanilla. Then whisk this mixture into the sugar/honey.
  • Pour the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk well to give a smooth, runny batter. Pour into the lined tin and bake at 180°C (350°F) for 40-50 minutes, until risen, dark golden in colour, and a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.
  • Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the tin for a few minutes. Remove and leave on a wire rack until cold. (The cake may sink slightly.)

To decorate the cake

  • Carefully combine the icing ingredients to give a thick but runny icing. Drizzle over the cake – you may not need it all. Sprinkle over the orange zest and serve.

Notes

For a more complex flavour, you can substitute hawaij l’cafe spice blend for the ground ginger. 
This cake stores well for a few days, well wrapped and in an air-tight container. It actually becomes more gooey and sticky after a day or two – yum!

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Sticky honey cake with ginger
Amount per Serving
Calories
273
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
11
g
17
%
Saturated Fat
 
2
g
13
%
Trans Fat
 
1
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
7
g
Cholesterol
 
41
mg
14
%
Sodium
 
175
mg
8
%
Potassium
 
67
mg
2
%
Carbohydrates
 
42
g
14
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
26
g
29
%
Protein
 
4
g
8
%
Vitamin A
 
93
IU
2
%
Vitamin C
 
1
mg
1
%
Calcium
 
86
mg
9
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Keyword cake, honey, orange
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

By the way, if you’re wondering how to make long strands of zest, you just need this tool, which does the job perfectly.

More delicious Rosh Hashanah cakes and bakes

If you’re after more Rosh Hashanah bakes, how about this gorgeous Devon apple cake with honey crumble topping, or these fabulous apple and honey cookies.

Or if you can’t get enough ginger, try these delicious Dutch ginger cake squares, some ginger spice cookies, or a scoop of vegan stem ginger ice-cream.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Heather

    January 22, 2023 at 1:38 pm

    5 stars
    Do you use a light brown sugar or dark brown sugar please?

    Reply
    • Helen

      January 23, 2023 at 9:44 am

      Hi Heather. In this recipe I used ‘soft brown sugar’ which is a generic, mid-brown sugar that’s widely available in the UK. If you only have light or dark, you could try using a mixture of the two. Alternatively, either one should work on its own but obviously the flavour of the cake will vary a little bit depending on which one you use. I hope this helps! All the best, Helen.

      Reply
  2. Recipe Bake

    October 11, 2021 at 7:37 pm

    5 stars
    I make this cake at least once a week and it turns out perfectly. I follow the recipe exactly and it’s never failed once . Lovely spiced cake!

    Reply
    • Helen

      October 12, 2021 at 9:02 am

      That’s great to hear – so glad it’s so popular!

      Reply
  3. Mat Smith

    August 01, 2021 at 8:48 am

    5 stars
    This was so tasty. I made it for the first time yesterday to take to a BBQ at a friends. I was hoping to be able to bring half back home but within minutes of it being put out on the table it was gone……..I think the host had 3 slices on his own!. From my point of view I love that this is made with honey rather than golden syrup or treacle.

    Reply
    • Helen

      August 02, 2021 at 9:42 am

      Thanks Mat! I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed it so much! I usually make them two at a time 🙂

      Reply
  4. Anita W

    March 28, 2021 at 5:02 pm

    5 stars
    I made this today for my husband who is diabetic. Honey is ok but I try to only use recipes that are low in sugar.
    I made a mistake putting it together, and forgot the oil.
    Also I had no plant based milk, so I used fat free fromage frais.
    Surprisingly, it has turned out really well.
    Hubby nabbed a piece before I put the icing on top.
    He said it tastes good, and that it didn’t need any icing, but I’ve put some on to finish it off.
    So I’ll be making it again, with the oil.
    Thanks for the recipe.

    Reply
    • Helen

      March 30, 2021 at 3:17 pm

      So pleased to hear that you both enjoyed it. I’m glad it’s such a forgiving recipe and turned out well even with the substitution and missing oil!

      Reply
  5. Jane Cohen

    September 02, 2018 at 11:27 am

    This sounds delicious. Planning on making for Rosh Hashanah. I just wanted to check, what size eggs do you use?

    Reply
    • Helen

      September 03, 2018 at 1:02 pm

      Hi Jane. I usually use medium eggs, but I think the recipe is pretty forgiving. I hope you enjoy it! And Shana Tova x.

      Reply
      • Jane Cohen

        September 07, 2018 at 9:38 am

        Thanks Helen. I just saw your reply but only have large eggs in. I used mix of cinnamon and ginger and cows milk. 2 cakes now in oven. Smells delicious. Fingers crossed they work out. Shana Tova to you and your family x

        Reply
        • Helen

          September 07, 2018 at 1:54 pm

          Shana Tova to you and yours too 😀
          I hope you enjoy the cakes!

          Reply
  6. Candace

    August 20, 2018 at 7:09 am

    This cake sounds amazing. Adore spicy cakes and the addition of honey sounds amazing

    Reply
    • Helen

      August 30, 2018 at 12:57 pm

      Thanks Candace. I love spice in a cake, too.

      Reply
  7. Robotance

    August 20, 2018 at 5:58 am

    5 stars
    Cakes are always welcome in my home. Like you, I too have many wonderful memories of my mother making delicious desserts and cake. I enjoyed reading the recipe and about the wonderful combination of Honey, ginger, and orange. The cake looks amazing. Your mother would be proud. Thank you for the wonderful recipe. I am looking forward to trying this one in my kitchen.

    Reply
    • Helen

      August 30, 2018 at 12:57 pm

      Thanks Robotance 😀
      My Mum will be with us for Rosh Hashanah so I’ll be able to get her opinion first hand! I hope you enjoy the cake too.

      Reply
  8. Kavita Favelle

    August 10, 2018 at 7:33 am

    Oh I say, this looks wonderful! Ginger is one of my favourite flavours, lovely in a gooey cake, and with honey as well. Delish!

    Reply
    • Helen

      August 10, 2018 at 8:54 am

      Thanks Kavita. I love ginger too – spicy and delicious ?

      Reply
  9. georgie

    August 09, 2018 at 10:29 pm

    omg this looks amazing! I love the sound of the spices and honey, this would be so lovely with a cup of tea in the afternoon!

    Reply
    • Helen

      August 10, 2018 at 8:54 am

      Thanks Georgie. Tea and cake – sounds like a great idea!!

      Reply
  10. Shashi at SavorySpin

    August 09, 2018 at 10:25 pm

    5 stars
    I’m so loving the combo of honey and ginger in this scrumptious cake – what a tasty treat after school or work!

    Reply
    • Helen

      August 10, 2018 at 8:53 am

      Thanks Shashi. It’s a yummy treat any time!

      Reply
  11. Jessica Formicola

    August 09, 2018 at 10:18 pm

    5 stars
    I have a fresh jar of honey that would be perfect for making this cake!

    Reply
    • Helen

      August 10, 2018 at 8:53 am

      I hope you enjoy it Jessica ?. The flavour of the honey really comes through in the cake. Yum.

      Reply
  12. Amy | The Cook Report

    August 09, 2018 at 10:14 pm

    5 stars
    That cake looks and sounds delicious, I can’t wait to try it!

    Reply
    • Helen

      August 10, 2018 at 8:53 am

      Thanks Amy. We really enjoyed eating it!

      Reply
  13. Amanda

    August 09, 2018 at 9:48 pm

    5 stars
    Ginger, orange and honey make me think of fall. They are all so warm and homey!

    Reply
    • Helen

      August 09, 2018 at 9:58 pm

      Thanks Amanda. I’m really looking forward to the autumn ?

      Reply
  14. Choclette

    August 08, 2018 at 10:32 am

    This ticks all of my boxes. I adore honey and spice and definitely sticky 🙂 Also love the idea of a large cake cooked in the roasting tin. Your mum was definitely onto something there.

    Reply
  15. Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche

    August 06, 2018 at 12:39 pm

    Oh my word, this looks amazing. I’m actually not the biggest fan of ginger, but weirdly when it comes to sticky ginger cake, I love it haha

    Reply
    • Helen

      August 06, 2018 at 12:43 pm

      Thanks Becca! I love ginger in anything, but I agree it’s especially good in a sticky cake ?

      Reply

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