Christmas is the feast commemorating the birth of Christ. It is fixed in the liturgical year as December 25th and is preceded by four week of fasting called Advent.Honey Cake with Rose Water
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ tsp. baking powder
- ¼ tsp. ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp. baking soda
- 1 tbsp. instant coffee
- ½ cup boiling water
- ¼ cup vegetable oil or peanut oil
- 1 cup honey
- Grated peel of 1 orange
- 2 tsp. rose water (found in most Greek supermarkets)
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
Combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and baking soda. Set aside. Dissolve the instant coffee in the water in a mixing bowl. Blend in the oil, honey, grated orange peel, and rose water and set aside. In a large bowl, beat the eggs until frothy. Gradually add the sugar and beat for 1 minute.
Add the honey mixture to the eggs and sugar. Add the flour mixture to the egg mixture alternately with the dissolved coffee, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Stir in the walnuts. Pour the batter into an oiled and waxed paper-lined 13 by 9 by 2-inch baking pan. Bake in a preheated 325ºF oven for about 50 minutes. Test for doneness with a toothpick. If moist, continue baking until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Invert the cake onto a wire rack. Cool. Peel off the waxed paper and wrap in aluminium foil to maintain freshness. Cut into squares when ready to serve.
