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Whether kosher baking, Rosh Hashana or Jewish Holidays is your interest or not, here’s a good story:

We were invited to a barbeque on Memorial Day Monday. Knowing that baking is my “thing,” my friend asked me to bring a dessert. Someone else was already bringing something chocolate (brownies), so I then had the challenge of finding a recipe for something that would be both kid and adult friendly. There is a recipe for honey cake that I’ve been wanting to try with the thought of selling it for Rosh Hashana on Challah Connection. There was my recipe!

However, not so fast. How was I going to “sell” honey cake on Memorial Day to my hosts and the other guests? I decided that I’d call it a “spice coffee cake” (spices and coffee are both in the recipe). Not a problem–they thought that sounded great.

With no exaggeration, that cake was gone within minutes–kids and adults loved it! I was impressed–it WAS a great recipe. It also confirms my observation that most people prefer desserts that are NOT too sweet and/or slathered in overly sweet icing.

Give me a few days and I’ll give you the recipe. Just call it a “spice coffee cake” and you can serve it for July 4!

While we are in full swing into the Spring, ‘07 Bar/Bat Mitzvah season, there are many of us who are in the planning phase for later this year or later. Having already planned 2 Bar Mitzvahs for my own sons (#3 coming in ‘09), as well as from Challah Connection work providing ceremonial challah, goody bags, hotel baskets & Oneg platters, for B’nai Mitvah, I consider myself somewhat of a maven on this subject. The best advice I can pass on is to 1) determine your vision 2) determine your budget 3) don’t budge from there! Yes, I know about all of the themes and the money that’s being spent. You can do this if you choose, but it is NOT necessary. Please read an article I have written about this. I look forward to your comments and experiences!

Shavuot marks the anniversary of the day the Torah was given to the Jewish people. It is customary to eat foods that are made with dairy ingredients, such as cheesecake and blintzes. Shavuout is a happy holiday and falls this year on May 23-24. The online store, Challah Connection, has some excellent dairy desserts including cheesecake and rugelach. Enjoy the holiday!