Sweet Holiday Treats

Even though both Passover and Easter have their serious side, they’re also about sweets as well. Each holiday has their own way of ending a meal. With one, it’s all sorts of flourless confections and cakes. With Easter it’s about sumptuous cakes and pastries. Both share the love of good ingredients and delicious treats to end a holiday Seder or dinner.

Passover brings that all time favorite macaroons. These are delightful little coconut and egg white confections. In the past they were just almond flavor however today you can find them in everything from chocolate to cappuccino to rocky road . Another Passover favorite is the flourless cake. Ground nut meal such as almond and walnut stand in for regular white or cake flour. The result is a dense chewy torte that‘s usually flavored with cinnamon, more nuts or chocolate. There is also the traditional sponge cake that is made with potato starch and cake meal. Lemon juice is added for flavor but other ingredients can be added to vary the taste.

Easter too has its’ share of delicious sweets. Mostly the desserts are either in the shape of bunnies , lambs or eggs. Carrot cake in the shape of anything related to the Easter bunny is always made. Yet it’s how the cakes are iced with that makes them stand out. This is where amateur icers and pros alike can go crazy. The hardest of all to decorate is the Easter lamb cake. This is where tiny rosettes are dabbed on a plain yellow or chocolate lamb shaped loaf. Jelly beans are used for the eyes, and nose while pink icing is used for the ears and mouth. A ribbon is then tied around the neck and the cake is put onto a bed of dyed green coconut. This is an all time favorite in many households and a specialty in many bakeries.

Passover and Easter are serious holy days with significant religious meanings. However both are also a time for celebrating freedom and resurrection. What better than to do so with festive and delicious desserts. They’re a great way to end any holiday meal