Hanukkah Nut Cake with Honey Syrup

Nut Cake
3 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 cups finely chopped walnuts
1 cup dried dates, minced
1 cup vegetable oil
1 cup water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Oil a 9-inch pan.

The traditional way is to mix all dry ingredients on a board using your hands, rubbing and sifting them until well mixed. Make a mound and put a hole in the center. Pour oil and water in center and make into a dough. Kneed the dough for about 1 minute.

Alternatively, put all the dry ingredients in a bowl, and mix well. Add the oil and water and make a dough, kneed for 1 minute or so.

Place dough in prepared pan. Bake for 1 hour. Remove from oven and allow to cool. After cake has cooked, make Honey Syrup.

Honey Syrup
1 1/2 cups honey
1/2 cup water
Juice of 1 small lemon
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest, finely grated

In a pot over medium high heat cook honey, water, lemon juice and zest. Allow to reduce by 1/4 .

Place cake in a shallow plate and with a fork, make holes all over the top of the cake. Pour the warm syrup over the cake and allow to sit 1 hour before serving.