Category: Cookies

Halva Ribbons

I’m stress baking with Israel and the hostages on my mind – so I went to my tried and true recipe – my famous BABKA STRAWS, only Israel-inspired with a halva filling this time, and hostage ribbon shaped because it’s all I can think of right now.

I’m going to keep it short because I don’t know how to even formulate my feelings into words but I’ll share something I wrote this New Years, a bit of hope in the darkness…

Two thousand twenty four
A year of
Victory or defeat
memories I’d like to forget
Tik tok
Tik tok
The sound of
Mothers of hostages
Fathers of soldiers
sobs in my pillow
Numbers on masking tape
Rising
Broken spirits
Colliding
Boots for soldiers
Gear for brothers
Glimmers of light
In the darkness
Faith
our weapon
Family
our shield
A nation of Maccabees
Fighting
Uniting
Igniting
The Star of David
forever emblazoned
On our souls
We are the light
And we will dance again
עם ישראל חי

 

Halva Ribbons for the Hostages

2 sheets puff pastry, thawed
1/2 cup tahini paste
3 tbsp silan (date honey)
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
kosher salt, to taste
1-2 tbsp water
1 egg + 1 tbsp water, beaten, for eggwash
2 tbsp demerara sugar
2 tbsp sesame seeds

Method:

In a medium bowl, combine the tahini paste, silan, cinnamon, vanilla and salt, whisk until combined. Add in the water a tablespoon at a time until the spread is creamy like the texture of dulce de leche.

In a second bowl, combine the demerara sugar and sesame seeds.

Preheat oven to 400°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Working with one sheet of cold puff pastry at a time, lightly roll the dough out to form a large rectangle (flour your surface, if needed). With the short side facing you, spread half of the halva filling on the lower half of the dough. Fold uncoated half of the dough over the coated side.

Using a pizza cutter, cut the pastry into thin strips, 1/8 – 1/4-inch thick. Twist the strips into a ribbon shape and place on the sheet tray about 1/2-inch or so apart.

Brush the ribbons with egg wash and sprinkle with the demerara sugar mixture.

Repeat with remaining puff pastry and halva cream.

Bake for 12-14 minutes or until golden brown.

NOTE: If the puff pastry gets too soft, it can be difficult to work with. If needed, freeze the pastry to firm it up before cutting and shaping.

VARIATION: You can use this halva crumble topping in place of the sugar/sesame mixture.

Related recipes:

yellow ribbon cookies
tahinitaschen
cheese babka straws
chocolate rugelach

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Toaster streusel

If you can make toaster strudel then you can also make toaster streusel!! Which is basically a way better version, baked in your toaster oven. I love these for breakfast on the side of coffee, Or as a to-go snack! Just make sure to use the best quality jam that you can find, None of that squeeze-bottle stuff that you use for PB&J sandwiches. I used on my Bonne Maman raspberry apricot jam, I’ve been buying them exclusively Ever since that holocaust story came out!

Toaster streusel

1 1/2 c all purpose flour
3/4 c oats
1/2 c granulated sugar
1/2 c dark brown sugar
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/2 c neutral oil
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 cup good quality jam

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine the flours, oats, sugars, baking powder, salt, oil, and vanilla. Mix with your hands until a dough forms.
3. Press 2/3 of the dough into a parchment lined 1/8 baking sheet or a 8×10 pan.
5. Spread jam over the bars and crumble on remaining dough.
6. Bake in a toaster oven for 20 minutes or until browned. Cool completely; cut into squares.

Related Recipes:

 More Dessert Recipes

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Cookie Danish


I took the viral Crookie – Cookie Croissant – and made it Jewish by stuffing a single serving of cookie dough into a danish!! I don’t know about your, but I’m team cinnamon over chocolate – I know, I know, not your typical – but I’m cinnaman and proud!

What about you?


Cookie Danish

¼ cup + 2 teaspoons flour
3 tablespoons brown sugar
Pinch of kosher salt
1 egg yolk
¼ teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons oil
2 tablespoons chocolate chips
1 pre-baked Cinnamon or chocolate danish

Method:

Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, salt, egg, vanilla and oil. Mix with a spoon until a dough forms and add in the chocolate chips.

Slice danish into half like a book. Spread most of the cookie dough over the danish, then close and top some more cookie dough.

Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the cookie dough on top of the danish is baked through.

Related Recipes:

Election Cookies!
Jelly Donut Linzer Cookies
Hazelnut Chocolate Chip Almond Butter Cookies
Ice Cream Sundae Cookies

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Yellow Ribbon Cookies


As Purim inched it’s way closer this year, I felt the dread coming on. I couldn’t imagine putting together shalach manos packages, getting dressed up, and getting into the holiday spirit. My heart just isn’t in it. So I went from one store to another, trying to come up with ideas for what to give out, but I always left empty handed. And then yesterday, I decided to put my heart into the cellophane and make yellow ribbon cookies. Cookies for the non-baker that doesn’t require cookie cutters, piping bag or decorating skills.

All I want for Purim is to BRING THEM HOME 🎗

To view the reel on Instagram click here.

Yellow Ribbon Cookies

1 cup (2 sticks) butter 
1 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 egg white
Yellow sugar

Method:

Place the butter and sugar in the mixing bowl and blend until creamy. Add the egg and vanilla and continue to blend until incorporated. Add in the flour, baking powder and salt and mix at low speed until the dough starts to come together. Press the dough into a flat disk, wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 20 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350°.

Roll the dough between 2 pieces of parchment paper until 1/4″ thick, trim the edges with a pizza cutter, bench scraper or knife to square off. Cut into strips and fold over to loop into a ribbon shape.

Brush with egg wash, sprinkle with sugar and bake for 10-12 minutes until lightly browned on the bottom.

Related Recipes:

More Purim Recipes

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Tahinitaschen

I know how much y’all love tahini so I made TAHINITASCHEN!! Tahini in the dough. Tahini in the 3 (yes 3!) ingredient filling!

To view the reel on Instagram click here.

Tahinitaschen

Hamantaschen dough:
1/4 cup tahini paste
2 tbsp canola oil
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 extra large egg (if you only have large, add 2 tsp water)
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour + more for dusting
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp kosher salt
3 tbsp sesame seeds

3-ingredient Halva Filling:
½ cup tahini paste
1/4 cup honey
1⁄4 tsp kosher salt

Chocolate Drizzle:
½ cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 tbsp refined coconut oil
Sesame seeds and/or shredded halva for garnish

Method:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheets with parchment paper.
Prepare the hamantaschen dough: In a small bowl, combine the egg, tahini, oil, and vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Add the wet ingredients to the wet ingredients, add the sesame seeds and stir until a smooth dough is formed.

On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to ¼ inch thick (It helps to cover the deal with a sheet of parchment paper). Cut circles using a cookie cutter or a glass cup.
Place 1 teaspoon of the filling in the center of the circles and pinch closed to form a triangle. Transfer to the baking sheet and bake for 12 minutes or until lightly browned.

Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave or over a double boiler. Stir in the coconut oil. Drizzle the chocolate over the hamantaschen and finish with sesame seeds or shredded halva.

Related Recipes:

More Purim Recipes

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