Like other Jewish holidays, Rosh Hashanah—the Jewish new year—revolves around different rituals. The holiday is observed over two days, during which many attend synagogue and have lengthy meals with family and friends. During the time between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, people ask for forgiveness: from God, from others, and even from themselves. Rosh Hashanah is a festival of hope, one which stresses the importance of owning up to mistakes and working to do better in the coming year.
On Rosh Hashanah, you’re practically guaranteed to find a sweet, apple-flavored dessert on any family’s table. It is also typical to have apples and honey to represent a desire for a sweet new year.
This apple cake is inspired by a recipe in a cookbook my grandmother received from the school at which she taught. While it’s perfect for Rosh Hashanah, it’s also great if you’re simply looking for a delicious fall dessert.
Ingredients:
4 apples
1 1/2 cups sugar + 5 tbsp
4 tsp cinnamon
3 cups flour, sifted
3 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
¾ cup oil
4 eggs
¼ cup orange juice
1 tbsp vanilla
Optional:
¾ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (either mixed into the batter or on top of the apple layers)
Swap cinnamon for 3 tsp nutmeg, or use a mixture of both spices
Powdered sugar dusted on top (after baking)
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Thinly slice the apples and toss together with the cinnamon and 5 tablespoons of sugar.
- In a separate bowl, combine flour, 1 1/2 cups of sugar, baking powder and salt.
- Make a well in the center and add the wet ingredients into it. Mix well.
- Using a small amount of oil, grease and flour a Bundt pan.
- Pour ⅓ of the batter into the pan and layer on top ½ of the apple slices. Repeat this process once more before adding the final portion of batter on top. The cake will have two layers of apples and three of batter.
- Bake for 1 hour and 20 minutes, checking on it regularly to ensure it is cooked to your liking.
Let it cool completely before taking it out of the pan.
Enjoy!