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A Treasury of Jewish Holiday Baking
Here at last is the first lovingly assembled, comprehensive collection of delicious, fail-proof baked goods--for the Jewish holidays and throughout the year--compiled and interpreted by Marcy Goldman, a professional baker who is also a professional writer on food.
Even if we don't have time to bake on a regular basis, holidays are something different--special occasions that encourage us to pull out the cake pans and present our family and friends with a gift of homemade love. And this is particularly true of the Jewish holidays, which are so centrally focused on special foods--and, of course, special desserts.
From the round raisin challah that symbolizes the sweetness and continuity of life for Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, to triangular, jam-filled hamantaschen for Purim, to a Chanukah dreidel cake, to the best flourless Passover cakes in the world, Marcy Goldman offers recipes that are traditional as well as those with an innovative flair.
Jewish or European-style baked goods--coffee cakes, strudels, cheesecakes, rugelach--are so universally popular that they have become as American as apple pie, and now, with A Treasury of Jewish Holiday Baking, every home baker will have access to the secrets of how to make them. As if she were a mother passing down techniques to her own children, Marcy Goldman's voice is warm, encouraging, and inviting, as well as authoritative, clear, and knowledgeable. She provides not only detailed instructions that yield delicious baked goods every time, but also a wealth of information on holiday customs and history.
Here is, indeed, a treasury to be welcomed by those who grew up with such recipes, those who are seeking to reestablish traditional holiday celebrations in their own home, and those who simply want to know the secrets for producing a wide range of delicious cakes, pastries, and pies.
From the Hardcover edition.
Even if we don't have time to bake on a regular basis, holidays are something different--special occasions that encourage us to pull out the cake pans and present our family and friends with a gift of homemade love. And this is particularly true of the Jewish holidays, which are so centrally focused on special foods--and, of course, special desserts.
From the round raisin challah that symbolizes the sweetness and continuity of life for Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, to triangular, jam-filled hamantaschen for Purim, to a Chanukah dreidel cake, to the best flourless Passover cakes in the world, Marcy Goldman offers recipes that are traditional as well as those with an innovative flair.
Jewish or European-style baked goods--coffee cakes, strudels, cheesecakes, rugelach--are so universally popular that they have become as American as apple pie, and now, with A Treasury of Jewish Holiday Baking, every home baker will have access to the secrets of how to make them. As if she were a mother passing down techniques to her own children, Marcy Goldman's voice is warm, encouraging, and inviting, as well as authoritative, clear, and knowledgeable. She provides not only detailed instructions that yield delicious baked goods every time, but also a wealth of information on holiday customs and history.
Here is, indeed, a treasury to be welcomed by those who grew up with such recipes, those who are seeking to reestablish traditional holiday celebrations in their own home, and those who simply want to know the secrets for producing a wide range of delicious cakes, pastries, and pies.
From the Hardcover edition.
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
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64 people want to read
About the author
Marcy Goldman
15 books26 followersMarcy Goldman, IACP Julia Child Cookbook Award nominee is a master baker and host of www.Betterbaking.com. Goldman has been a contributor to Martha Stewart, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Bon Appetit, Epicurious and Costco Connection. Her newest cookbook is The Newish Jewish Cookbook and her other best-selling cookbooks including When Bakers Cook, A Passion for Baking, A Treasury of Jewish Holiday Baking, Best Bagels, Best Biscotti, Best Holiday Cookies and The Best of Betterbaking.com. Her newest non-cookbook offering is a memoir called Tango Confidential, in print and ebook. It's a collision of Jane Austen and Nora Ephron and for anyone with two left feet and a penchant for romance.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 1, 2015
Best kosher baking cookbook EVER.
I found the galley of this cookbook on the giveaway pile at...let's see...it was the late 90s, so I think it was New Woman magazine. Let me just say this, folks. It is not an easy thing to make yummy non-dairy cakes. Milk, butter, cream, sour cream, buttermilk, cheese, all these ingredients married to flour magically create light, flaky, heavenly-on-your-tongue baked goods. I've been burned before, by recipes that ended in sad, dull, flavorless kosher cakes, so I was wary. I needn't have worried. Every single recipe I tried from Marcy Goldman's cookbook was a winner, the kind of delicacy you add to your regular repertoire.
At this point, my copy of this cookbook is a heap of pages held together by a rubber band. It lives in a ziploc baggie. I guess I should buy a new one, but I can't bring myself to do it. What more can I say? If you keep kosher, and you like to bake, buy this book.
If you only make one recipe from this collection, make it Everybody's Jewish Apple Cake. If you only make two recipes, make the apple cake and also her Trademark, Most Requested, Absolutely Magnificent Caramel Matzoh Crunch. You're welcome.
I found the galley of this cookbook on the giveaway pile at...let's see...it was the late 90s, so I think it was New Woman magazine. Let me just say this, folks. It is not an easy thing to make yummy non-dairy cakes. Milk, butter, cream, sour cream, buttermilk, cheese, all these ingredients married to flour magically create light, flaky, heavenly-on-your-tongue baked goods. I've been burned before, by recipes that ended in sad, dull, flavorless kosher cakes, so I was wary. I needn't have worried. Every single recipe I tried from Marcy Goldman's cookbook was a winner, the kind of delicacy you add to your regular repertoire.
At this point, my copy of this cookbook is a heap of pages held together by a rubber band. It lives in a ziploc baggie. I guess I should buy a new one, but I can't bring myself to do it. What more can I say? If you keep kosher, and you like to bake, buy this book.
If you only make one recipe from this collection, make it Everybody's Jewish Apple Cake. If you only make two recipes, make the apple cake and also her Trademark, Most Requested, Absolutely Magnificent Caramel Matzoh Crunch. You're welcome.
January 22, 2019
This was a big, beautiful book. It had wonderfully interesting recipes. I felt most of them were not for me. They were all too big and too busy and too fattening for my eating gang.
As a reference book it is stellar.
As a reference book it is stellar.
March 19, 2021
found a highly interesting review
I've tried at least 10 recipes in this cookbook - every single one is foolproof. The instructions are clear, measurements are accurate and the recipes are delicious. The sour cream chocolate cake is spectacular! The Chanukah Sugar Cookies have become a family tradition for my non Jewish household. Goldman also explains how to use a bread machine to make the dough for most of her yeast bread recipes: I now can make challah bread, Montreal style bagels and yeasty coffee cake at home with the aid of my bread machine. Perfect.
I like the addition of the traditional Jewish recipes at the end of this newer edition: roast chicken, brisket, chicken noodle soup - this makes this baking cookbook an even more worthwhile purchase.
The only alteration I have made to recipes is I've decreased the amount of sugar and for my own tastes, I find the baked good recipes work just as well, just less sweet. In addition to the fantastic recipes that work, Goldman writes very interesting description of Jewish holidays and traditions. I find the entire book a delight.
Anne E.
I've tried at least 10 recipes in this cookbook - every single one is foolproof. The instructions are clear, measurements are accurate and the recipes are delicious. The sour cream chocolate cake is spectacular! The Chanukah Sugar Cookies have become a family tradition for my non Jewish household. Goldman also explains how to use a bread machine to make the dough for most of her yeast bread recipes: I now can make challah bread, Montreal style bagels and yeasty coffee cake at home with the aid of my bread machine. Perfect.
I like the addition of the traditional Jewish recipes at the end of this newer edition: roast chicken, brisket, chicken noodle soup - this makes this baking cookbook an even more worthwhile purchase.
The only alteration I have made to recipes is I've decreased the amount of sugar and for my own tastes, I find the baked good recipes work just as well, just less sweet. In addition to the fantastic recipes that work, Goldman writes very interesting description of Jewish holidays and traditions. I find the entire book a delight.
Anne E.
June 9, 2009
My friend photocopied a challah recipe for me after tasting hers while over eating dinner one night - it was hands down the BEST challah I've ever tasted - and now it is the recipe that I use for making my own weekly challah (and I've tried MANY different ones - my family revolts when I try a variation instead of just making this one.). I just noticed from the photocopy that I have, that it is from this cookbook so I HAD to check it out from the library to see what other yummy stuff is in here.
December 4, 2022
I had a pretty good time reading through this cookbook.
I like that it offered both traditional and updated versions of a lot of recipes.
I especially enjoyed that e.g. the recipe for Hamantaschen offered multiple doughs as well as fillings independently of each other, and covering a wide range of options from bog-standard to pretty-out-there.
Could have used more pictures and detailed step-by-step instructions for some of the more involved techniques - don't try and use this as an introductory read into Jewish baking and you'll be fine!
I like that it offered both traditional and updated versions of a lot of recipes.
I especially enjoyed that e.g. the recipe for Hamantaschen offered multiple doughs as well as fillings independently of each other, and covering a wide range of options from bog-standard to pretty-out-there.
Could have used more pictures and detailed step-by-step instructions for some of the more involved techniques - don't try and use this as an introductory read into Jewish baking and you'll be fine!
July 5, 2020
This was one of my go-to books for my catering company. Chapters are organized by holiday and all are well tested. Most instructions include dairy/parve options.
January 3, 2022
Great ideas for every Jewish holiday.
November 10, 2011
Another must have for every Jewish kitchen!
June 1, 2013
TASTY RECIPES
enough said.
enough said.
May 17, 2016
Very good and includes recipes for all the basics and few new treats.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews