Do you know where gingerbread man cookies originated? They come from Germany, and they were the first cookies ever associated with Christmas around the world. Many people believe that tradition started in America.
It has become traditional over the centuries to eat something sweet during the Jewish holiday known as "Rosh Hashanah." Some Jewish families dip challah into honey and say a blessing over the bread, then dip apple slices into the honey and say a prayer over the New Year.
Although the earliest bakeries were little more than an oven and someone to tend to the fire, modern bakeries have become so much more. Now, you can choose from an assortment of sweets and breakfast pastries.
Challah is sometimes covered with poppy or sesame seeds. These represent manna, which fell in a double portion on the sixth day, so the tribes of Israel would not have to gather food on the Sabbath during their Exodus from Egypt.
The tradition of wedding cake came from ancient Rome. It was believed that good fortune would follow the couple if the cake was well-made and well-formed. A well-made cake was a symbol of a well-made marriage.
Did you know that challah, a staple of the Shabbat table, is a symbol of the tribes of Israel? The two loaves of bread, made of six strands each, symbolize the 12 tribes that wandered in the desert for 40 years.
Bread carries the symbol of peace around the world. There is nothing more heart warming that the smell and feeling of freshly baked bread and delicious treats. Bring all this goodness into your home and may peace prevail.
The oldest recipe for éclairs known was published in the Boston Cooking School Cook Book, by Mrs. D.A. Lincoln. This 1884 recipe was published about 50 years after éclairs began to appear in Europe, but the origin of the very first éclair creation remains a mystery.
Did you know that the world record for the fastest bun made from scratch is held by a bakery in Montana? They claim to have cut, milled, shaped and baked a bun in 8 minutes, 13 seconds.
Put together a fantastic brunch to celebrate a mom-to-be with a selection of muffins, scones, brownies, and biscuits. All you’ll need to add is some fruit salad and punch -- and perhaps mimosas for the guests who aren’t expecting.
Petit fours are small French dessert pastries. They can take the form of iced cakes served for special occasions, miniature eclairs, meringues, or macarons. The term "petit four" means "small oven," representing the small (but powerful) stature of these dainty desserts.
Most carrot cake recipes have a group of common ingredients. But adventurous bakers today are branching out and including "extra" ingredients such as coconut, pureed figs or prunes, chocolate chips, zucchini, and crystallized ginger.
Birthday celebrations can sometimes be tough for those who keep kosher, whether they're the birthday boy/girl or just an invited guest. Make everyone happy by picking up yummy birthday treats from a kosher bakery. That way, no one has to feel left out of the celebration.
You've probably heard money referred to as "bread." That's no accident. In some ancient cultures, bread was considered edible currency. In fact, the pyramids of Egypt were at least partly built using bread as payment for labor.
Although eaten at any time of week or year, rugelach is a pastry most particularly enjoyed on the Sabbath. Also, in spite of the fact that it is not fried in oil, rugelach is traditionally associated with Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights.
Did you know that fruitcake has been around for almost as long as people have worn clothes? In fact, it dates back more than 4,000 years and was just as packed with ingredients as fruitcakes are now.
One of the most popular Jewish desserts is rugelach. These are rolled cookies that are Ashkenazic in origin, and can be filled with anything from chocolate, to raisins and nuts, to fruit preserves. It’s a common dessert for celebrations such as Shabbat.
Baking cakes goes back to ancient times. Those cakes were likely bread that was sweetened with honey. Nuts and dried fruits were also added in later years.
The so-called “Baker’s Dozen” likely came about to eradicate any appearance of impropriety. Bakers began to throw in an extra loaf of bread, or an extra cookie or muffin, with the order of one dozen to create the 13 seen today when a dozen of an item of baked goods are ordered.
Looking for a non-chocolate dessert option that’s sure to please? An Italian creme cake features vanilla, coconut, and walnuts, and is a delightful option that will make even die-hard chocolate lovers forget what they’re missing.
Did you know that only 20 percent of people who buy kosher foods are Jewish? This just shows that kosher foods are widely recognized to be healthy, more natural, and made from excellent ingredients.
Did you know that chocolate is actually good for you? Cocoa powder is full of iron and antioxidants, so the much-treasured chocolate cake can be enjoyed without all the guilt...in moderation, of course.
If you're looking for an indulgent dessert that contains good-for-you ingredients, try berry pie. Berries, especially blueberries, are high in antioxidants. Here are some berry pies you may consider for your next gathering: blackberry, blueberry, boysenberry, cherry, and strawberry.
Strict kosher baking requires more than just kosher ingredients. The baked items must also be prepared using certified kosher equipment and kosher techniques (for example, utensils used for stirring products that contain dairy generally shouldn't be used for those that don't).
