Customer Reviews

A Treasury of Jewish Holiday Baking

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4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
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I was aware that this volume was coming. In fact, I've known about it for almost a year, and based on Ms. Goldman's other recipes which I'd tried from her website, Baker Boulanger, I have looked forward to it. From the cover design, which screams for you to pick it up, right down to the Source Guide (where to buy equipment, tools and ingredients) included at the end, this book is a winner.

What makes A Treasury of Jewish Holiday Baking so special? Recipes alone are important, but when you read the introduction, you not only learn what distinguishes Jewish baking from all others, why the author set out to put this collection together, and an extensive section on kashruth and the ingredients that play a part. Many authors grind out cookbooks at amazing speed, making it likely that something will be lost, and that "something" is usually the way a dish is fine-tuned to spectacular perfection.

The recipes in this cookbook were created, tweaked and honed; they were tasted and refined; then they were taste-tested by others; and finally, they were kitchen-tested by a host of volunteers. Their names occupy four pages. Quality shows.

The book is organized by Jewish holiday: Shabbat, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur (as in breaking fast), Sukkot, Chanukah, Purim, Passover and Shavuot. In addition, there is a sizeable chapter on all manner of bread baking, with lots of important and often innovative information about equipment and techniques, plus lots of recipes.

One of the things I especially appreciated was the way Ms. Goldman presented challot. For sure, most of us are aware that we bake one kind of challah for Shabbat, another for Rosh Hashanah, etc. While challah is a centerpiece of Jewish cuisine, we have variations for different occasions. Sometimes it's sweeter, such as for Rosh Hashanah, where we celebrate by presenting foods that will usher in the sweetness of the new year. Our Rosh Hashanah challah also takes on a different physical appearance, being wound into a turban shape to symbolize the continuity of life. Rather than lump all the challot into one place, the author introduces the basics of making challah in the first chapter, and intersperses special holiday recipes in the chapters which follow.

I consider myself a fair bread baker, but I was intrigued by the section on breads. While I expected to read material already familiar to me, I was mesmerized by new methods and techniques, and I found myself becoming anxious to get to the kitchen to try them out.

A Treasury of Jewish Holiday Baking is packed with information, some about the individual recipes and some which tie Jewish foods to religion and culture. Many recipes are accompanied by variations which often appear to create something completely different, all by changing one or two ingredients. The only (and I do mean only) thing I found disappointing about this book was the lack of color photos. Perhaps when this winner goes to a second edition, the publisher will include some.

As I said, I couldn't wait to start trying out some recipes, but there was a problem. With everything looking so wonderful, how could I possibly decide which to make first? And what would happen when I had all this delicious food around the house---much as I'd love to live the "sweet" life, reality dictates that I exercise a modicum of control. I was in luck because timing was on my side. My synagogue choir was in overdrive to prepare for the upcoming holidays, so I had a willing, if not eager, audience for my testing.

I began with "The Titanic Cafe's Chocolate Chestnut Torte." Light, luscious, delicate, chocolatey, decadent...and flourless. While the recipe calls for a chocolate ganache glaze, Ms. Goldman comments that she prefers this with a dusting of cocoa, which is the way I did it. (It should also be noted that there is a special Passover version of this recipe in the book. )

There is little more to say, except that it was immediately popular with choir. As I listened to the sounds of culinary ecstasy, I began to feel that if I continued to provide such treats, attendance would remain high. I'm not sure if the torte had anything to do with it, but there were twice as many people at the second rehearsal.

For the second rehearsal, I chose a recipe called "My Mother's Fancy Apple Cake." A cookie-type crust encases lots of apple slices which are baked till soft, then a custard mixture is pour over this and it continues to bake. Now, I have to admit that I violated my first rule of cooking...I didn't read the whole recipe before I started. Actually, I read most of the recipe, but missed the last line which indicates that it should be refrigerated at least 4 hours to set properly.

So there I was, a half hour before rehearsal, trying to decide what to do. Do I take it or leave it? I couldn't help myself. It smelled so good, I figured it might set somewhat by the time we had our break. It did, but I'm sure refrigeration would have made a significant improvement. Of course, the aroma from the back seat of the car on the way to rehearsal was almost too much to bear.

When I started slicing it at the break in rehearsal, I was worried it would be swimming on the plates, and while it was a bit more liquidy than I would have liked, it was superb in taste. More oohs and ahhhs, and several marriage proposals later, people were lining up, hoping for seconds.

I never revealed the error to my adoring public, but I made this cake again, the way the author had intended, and it was, as I suspected, even more delicious.

Other recipes of note: "Almost-Nettie's Cinnamon Meringue-Walnut Babka," "Miami Beach Coffee Cake," "Shredded Dough Plum Tart," and "My Trademark, Most Requested, Absolutely Magnificent Caramel Matzoh Crunch." In the case of the matzoh crunch, you should be aware that, with only four ingredients, it will take you longer to read the short recipe than to make it.

I'll admit, I'm not a fan of the way matzoh is often "used and abused" in the name of the holiday. Too often, we are left with a variation of a year-round dish that pales miserably in comparison to its former version. With this in mind, I was tempted to wait till Passover to make the Matzoh Crunch, but the title, the ease of preparation, and frankly, Ms. Goldman's reputation, spurred me to try it. All I can say is, "Wow!" You know there's matzoh there, but you don't feel as if you're eating a second-rate adaptation. I daresay, I can't think of a better way to make this.

Finally, I had occasion to feed my writers' group. It was the least I could do in exchange for their comments and criticisms regarding this review before it was published. For this group, I prepared the "Majestic and Moist New Year's Honey Cake." It was the ultimate proof that, while honey cake is traditionally Jewish fare, you don't have to be Jewish to love it.

As I look to the heavens for the tell-tale lightning bolt, I must confess that until I tried this recipe, I would never have conceived that there could be a honey cake better than my beloved grandmother's. I'll go one step further. If she were alive today, I'm sure my grandmother would rip up her own recipe and keep this cookbook handy.

The cake is unbelievably moist, full-bodied in flavor, with a perfect texture that begs to be eaten slowly and savored in tiny bites so as to make the experience last as long as possible. And even then, you gaze longingly at the uncut portion, hoping someone will offer you seconds while you mentally gauge a way to cut down on caloric intake the rest of the week to compensate for such culinary decadence. How many times have I heard someone say, "I can cook, but I'm no baker?" Great news, then. On page 32, you'll find a long list just for you. It's called, "Winning Recipes for the Bakery-Challenged." There is even a splendid recipe for challah which you can start in your bread machine. To say this was easy to make is an understatement. I love the challah recipe that's been on my website forever, but Ms. Goldman's recipe is denser and sweeter. If you have any leftover bread, use it to make memorable sandwiches.

A Treasury of Jewish Holiday Baking could easily make the term "baking-challenged" obsolete.

After several months of using this cookbook over and over and over, I decided to buy it for friends. It is extremely user-friendly, because many of the recipes use basic ingredients and are uncomplicated to make. The directions are well-written, and the final product turns out exactly as I visualize from the recipe, even when baking unfamiliar treats.

I keep reaching for it, because there are so many wonderful cakes, that I can always find something different or unusual, without worrying because I've never tried the recipe before. Variations are often included, as well as cooking times for different pan types and sizes.

It's one of those cookbooks where you can flip through it and consistently find something appropriate, without requiring a trip to the store for some odd ingredient. The honey cake is fantastic, but the double fudge cake on pg. 110 "wows" everybody every time. Bring that one to your next family get-together (I use a bundt pan and skip the glaze, or drizzle on a quick confectioner's sugar glaze after it's cooled), and they will think you stopped at a bakery (I'm not kidding).

The only minor issue, is that on recipes where a range of flour is given (e.g. soufganiot), I sometimes need to add even more flour. This was the same with another (hamantaschen), where it was obvious that the dough was too sticky to shape. So while some experience is helpful, common sense can tell you if more flour is needed. This has never been an issue with any of the cake recipes, only those which are naturally more flexible on the ingredients.

Good Shabbos!

I checked this book out from the library several times before buying it. The Passover Chocolate Torte was a raving success at our family's seder. The honey cake is to die for. And the pareve cocoa cake is delicious! I've served all of these to non-Jewish friends, and they've loved them all. None of these recipes taste like they've been "kosherized". They're wonderful to start with!

This book is truly awesome ... tried-and-true specialties, each written very clearly to guarantee success, and each preceded by a brief description telling why it is so wonderful. The first recipe I tried was the Caramel Matzoh Crunch, which has now become a staple. I'm not Jewish; these wonderful recipes should appeal to anyone with taste buds. The only caveat is that the author apparently revised her Honey Cake after the book was published -- and even I, who previously despised honey cake, love Marcy Goldman's. (The revised version was published in the newspaper, and that's the one I tried.) Don't miss this book; it is absolutely wonderful.

I collect, read, savor, and love reading cookbooks. This cookbook is a KEEPER. Every recipe in it is a 100% success. The one recipe that totally separated this book for all others is Bubbie's Orange and Oil Hamantaschen recipe. We've all tried to make hamantaschen with the dough collapsing or sticking all over. Not any more, with Ms Goldman's amazing recipe you too can make wonderful hamantaschen. I did it at home, with kids I teach, even made them at camp. Buy this cookbook, You'll be glad you did!

I love this book. Easy simple recipes that have superior taste. I have made banana cake,sticky buns,favorite apple cake and others. All came out great

Some Jewish cookbooks are haimish, some are personal, some give historical/religious/cultural background, some are long on good recipes for the experienced cook but short on practical advice for the neophyte: If your shelf is packed with all of the above, and you know your onions (or your onion bagels), you need Marcy's book. And if you are only going to buy one book on Jewish baking, this is the one to buy. I have been a flour-flinging semi-pro baker and sometimes food writer for more than twenty years, and from experience, I know that Marcy Goldman's recipes are the best. Before this book came out, I already had tried--with one-hundred-percent success--many of her recipes that were published in The Washington Post as well as in The Baking Sheet, a must-read-newsletter-for-bakers-of-all-persuasions-and-ethnic-backgrounds that is published by King Arthur Flour of Norwich, Vt. (disclaimer: I've also written for The Baking Sheet, but have never met Marcy and she is not bribing me to pen a rave of her book). With her warmth, technical expertise, and clear directions, she has something to offer bakers of all levels of experience. I especially appreciated her section on challah, a weekly Sabbath staple of my household (and of many of my friends, who just seem to know when to drop by). Many recipes by other authors concentrate on fancy braiding and presentation, which challah neophytes have confessed to me that they find intimidating, if not off-putting. Marcy focuses on the makings and bakings of wonderful challah; the bells and whistles can come later. I'd rather sink my teeth into an endearingly lumpily hand-fashioned, great-textured, great-tasting loaf than a gummy eye-pleaser. Marcy will not let you down. I could go on and on, but my copy is already gritty with flour. What better recommendation can I give--I own hundreds of cookbooks--than that?

I have many Jewish cookbooks, and bake a lot for all the holidays and Shabbat, and this is by far my favorite book for desserts. Marcy Goldman's brownies recipe is quick and easy, and the resulting amazing, chewy brownies have become my Shabbat hallmark, with everyone requesting the "famous" brownies when they visit.

Goldman also includes wonderful recipes for honey cake, bagels, apple cake, cookies, and more. One of my favorites is her unusual etrog cake: it's moist, tart, and divine, and an original way to use up the etrog after Sukkot. Last Passover, my mother used this cookbook, and baked a rich, creamy Passover chocolate cake. It tasted like cheesecake - though it was parve - and didn't taste "Passover" at all. We all tried to guess what was in it, but couldn't. When I got home, I looked it up, and was surprised to see the secret ingredient was sweet potatoes! (It sounds wierd, but like everything else in this book, it works.)

This book never misses. Definitely a great resource, chock full of solid classics, with a few ingenious new twists.

After renewing The Treasury of Jewish Holiday Baking at the library three times I decided it was time to purchase it. This is definately a purchase I haven't been disappointed with. The Sour Cream Coffee Cake is outstanding and has been given to several friends as a gift, with rave reviews I might add. The Tunnel of Fudge Cake was everything I expected and more, and made a spectacular Teacher Appreciation Week gift. You will enjoy the stories of the Jewish holidays and much as the recipes. I am going to buy the book for my two sister's, one of whom is a caterer. I know anyone who purchases this book or receives it as a gift will be thrilled.

Marcy Goldman's "A Treasury of Jewish Holiday Baking" is one book I keep going back to again and again. It's packed with delicious recipes, great tips, funny little stories, and (for us non-Jews) interesting information about every Jewish holiday.

What I love most about this book is the breadth of the recipes. There is something for everyone -- beginner, novice or expert. And Marcy's Classic Cuisine d'Or Carrot Cake recipe alone is worth the price of the book. (It is hands down the best carrot cake I've ever tasted.)

If you love baking, you need to buy this book. Highly, highly recommended.