Lemon Buttermilk Cake

Sitting by the fire over winter break last week, I had a sudden craving for a thick slice of Mom’s Blueberry Brunch Cake. It’s deceptively light and tasty and can be served at all hours of the day.  It’s just as good served alongside a cup of tea at breakfast as it is after a nice hearty dinner. Unfortunately, I didn’t have any blueberries around. Instead, I had only lemons and I wasn’t about to venture out to the store in the below freezing temperatures.  Quite serendipitously, I stumbled upon a Lemon Buttermilk Cake recipe (similar to the … [Read more...]

Christmas Viennese Crescent Cookies

Every year on December 25th we celebrate Jewish Christmas. We relax at home, go to the movies, and then eat Chinese food.  This year unfortunately we'll be traveling on Christmas day.  Since we'll miss our annual tradition, I decided it was time to try to replicate Mom’s Viennese Crescent Cookies as they’re often associated with Christmas time. Viennese Crescent Cookies, or Vanillekipferl, are similar to sugar cookies and the most distinctive characteristic is their shape: they are formed into crescents.  The cookies use ground nuts for … [Read more...]

Momofuku Milk Bar

Last week I shared the most amazing holiday experience with my son.  We were able to make cookies alongside famed Momofuku Milk Bar Pastry Chef Christina Tosi and her mother, Greta Miller, at the International Culinary Center in NYC. The afternoon, hosted by Chef Christina Tosi in collaboration with American Express, was a true holiday baking party. Guests heard intimate stories how Christina’s sweet tooth as an early child prompted her to start her own cookie empire just two years ago.  Today, Momofuku Milk Bar has grown into five bakeries … [Read more...]

Shortbread Cookies

Shortbread cookies are traditionally associated with Christmastime.  Even though we don't observe Christmas, this Jew has been to plenty of Christmas "tree trimming" parties where poinsettas and tinsel decorate the room and egg nog and shortbread cookies adorn the table.  In fact, one of the most memorable experiences of my life was as a college student attending midnight mass in the third largest cathedral in the world in Seville, Spain on Christmas Eve.  And, guess what was being offered to all the "congregants" on the way out?  Shortbread … [Read more...]