This easy Paleo Honey Cake recipe is fan-favorite made with healthy low-carb almond flour. I love turning classic desserts into wholesome gluten-free versions that everyone can eat.
What is Honey Cake?
Honey Cake, a traditional Jewish dessert eaten during Rosh Hashanah, is referred to as Lebkuchen in Yiddish. I love serving it at our High Holiday table whether for Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur break fast. We’ve been breaking our fast with warming, comforting foods since my Ayurvedic training in the early 1990’s. This lightly sweetened Jewish dessert, spiced with cinnamon fits that bill perfectly.
What is Rosh Hashanah?
Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year and the start of the High Holidays for Jews. Traditionally, we eat honey during this time as the ritual sets the tone for a sweet year to come. The custom of dipping apples in honey at the Rosh Hashanah meal has been one of the boys’ favorite since they were very little!
SCD Paleo Honey Cake
Most honey cake recipes include coffee. I left it out of this one to simplify the recipe and make it even easier. My husband, who has no dietary restrictions, loves this cake! As you can see from the photo above, a large piece has been devoured. One of our friends said this was the best honey cake she had ever eaten, gluten-free or not!
Paleo Honey Cake
Ingredients
- 2½ cups blanched almond flour (not almond meal)
- ½ teaspoon celtic sea salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ cup palm shortening
- 4 large eggs
- ½ cup raisins
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine almond flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, and cloves
- In a separate bowl, combine honey, shortening, and eggs
- Mix wet ingredients into dry, then stir in raisins
- Grease and flour an 8 inch springform pan
- Bake at 350°F for 30-35 minutes
- Remove from oven and cool for 1 hour
- Serve
Gluten-Free Rosh Hashanah Dessert Recipes
Here are some additional paleo dessert recipes for you!
Your Favorite Rosh Hashanah Recipes?
What are your favorite recipes for Rosh Hashanah? Are they family traditions that have been passed down from your Bubby? Or are they new dishes that you’ve adopted to create your own tradition?
This recipe is an oldie but goodie from the archives. I first published it in 2012.
Joanna says
Made this after I got home from work yesterday and OMG… it is so wonderful.. didn’t have palm shortening, so also used coconut oil.. found I needed to bake about 15 minutes longer, but it came out absolutely beautiful!!
Taste & texture is even better than the traditional and it rose so well, you’d never know it wasn’t made with flour..
Will be making again and again.. so easy & good!!
Elana says
Joanna, I’m so happy to hear this Honey Cake is OMG wonderful and better than the original!
Tawny says
I am making this right now and it smells wonderful! It was a breeze to whip up. However, I used coconut oil because I didn’t have palm shortening, and now I’m thinking that was a mistake. It isn’t cooking through. :( Does anybody know what to use in place of the palm shortening?
Dee says
I made this yesterday, using melted butter instead of palm oil shortening. It baked in 30mins. It’s delicious. My kids love it, they’ve taken big wedges of it to school in their lunchboxes.
Landon says
Looks super yummy (as do all your recipes) – think it’s possible to do without eggs? My kids are allergic to them. :-( Thanks, LG
Elana says
Landon, I haven’t tried that so not sure :-)
Pink Peppercorn and Paprika says
I know Lebkichen to be a glazed spice cookie, so this cake version is a fun new way to try it! I am going to test it out for New Year’s. It is a family tradition to put a whole almond in the batter of the New Year dessert, and whoever gets the almond gets good luck for the year!
Elana says
Thanks!
Aidel.K says
L’shana tova! This looks yum.
Elana says
Aidel, Shana Tova!
Liz N says
I will totally make this for the cake in a pumpkin trifle (Paleo) I am planning on making for Fall gatherings and Thanksgiving. This looks utterly incredible! I have been searching for the perfect gluten free cake for this trifle and my search is over. Thanks Elana!
Karyl says
Liz, can you give me more detail about how you do a Paleo pumpkin trifle? I’d love to see your recipe! Thanks, Karyl
Janet Schmid says
Sorry – should have consulted the FAQ’s on substituting coconut flour for almond. I should be able to make almond flour in the Vita-mixer?
a says
Yes, you can make almond flour in a Vita-mix :-)
its best to use blanched almonds though
Elana says
Janet, thanks for your comment. That doesn’t work in my recipes. For more info please go here:
https://elanaspantry.com/ingredients/almond-flour/
Enjoy!
Elana
Alyssa | Queen of Quinoa says
Looks very tasty! I might try to make a variation using coocnut flour. One of my all time favorite flours!
Elana says
Alyssa, that doesn’t work in my recipes. For more on that please go here:
https://elanaspantry.com/paleo-baking-almond-flour-vs-coconut-flour/
Enjoy!
Elana
Sarah says
This looks and sounds amazing! I can’t wait to share it at my next dinner party :-)
Elana says
Thanks Sarah!
Maria says
I want to make this right away! I made your banana chocolate chip cake with vegan chocolate frosting for my daughter’s birthday earlier this month and everyone loved it. Thanks for sharing such easy and delicious recipes.
Elana says
Maria, you’re very welcome! I love making delicious and easy recipes :-)