I’m always a big fan of having a few Shabbat desserts around, but even more so during the winter months, when we can chill on the couch after the Friday night meal. I have a few super-loose ground rules:
1. Make it easy. I never make multi-step or multi-layer desserts.
2. I don’t bake during the week, but I have the week in mind when I bake. What I mean is that the first debut of any dessert or baked good will always be Shabbat. I try to have in mind to have a little extra for my kids to take as snacks to school, but making it Shabbat-centric means that it will always be exciting.
3. Things come up, and sometimes we just don’t have time to bake. Identify your favorite baked goods from bakeries in your area. Somehow, when it becomes ‘your item’ from ‘your favorite place,’ it holds a little more ownership than just picking up any random cookie from the closest bakery. Think of it like your signature (bought) baked good.
4. Try to have a few half-homemade things in your rotation for the weeks that you are just depleted. We like graham cracker toffee bars, puff pastry cinnamon sticks, and dressed up Duncan Heins brownies. By dressed up, I mean that we sometimes add things like sandwich cookies or a really simple but delicious coffee glaze on top. (Literally just confectioners’ sugar, a dot of oil, water to moisten, and coffee — not coffee granules.)
5. If you have kids around, make this their project. I’m only nit-picky when it comes to desserts if I have guests over, but when it’s just my family, I just want to hit the sweet note. I ask them what they want to make and (just about) let them fully pick.
Do what works for you! Here are a few ideas of some desserts that I would make for a Shabbat with just my immediate family.
1. Crunchy Cappuccino Oatmeal Cookies by Faigy Grossman
Forget the “back-to-school-for-kids snack”; once the kids get on the bus, Mommy will be savoring these along with her coffee and quiet! These cookies are chewy and crunchy at the same time, offering equally great flavor and texture.
2. Not Just for Kids Chocolate Chip Cookies by Chanie Nayman
I kept trying to think of a fun treat for kids that’s not just delicious, but also novel. I came up with the idea to put pieces of popular chocolate bars into the mix, but you should have seen the disaster of nougat from the Milk Munches all over the baking sheet in rounds one, two, and three of these cookies (even after all different tricks). By batch four, it was 11 p.m. and I was on the phone with my friend Cipi. “Why don’t you just put them in after it’s baked?” she suggested. Ohhh!!! Brilliant move. I should have called Cipi during batch number one. Next time!
3. Peanut Butter Toffee Bars by Faigy Grossmann
I’ve been using Estee Kafra’s toffee bars as my go-to recipe when I need to send someone a food gift. I recently made some adaptations, and this new version is even more addictive, (if that’s possible)! The sweet and salty combo keeps you coming back for more. It is so simple to make, and freezes fabulously! Enjoy!
4. Rugelach Cake by Shena Dominitz
Whether you’re looking to enhance your Shabbat dessert, create a show-stopping party centerpiece, or surprise someone with a delightful gift, this rugelach cake is the perfect choice.
For more sweet ideas, watch Shena’s Sweet Spice!
5. Pecan Crunch Cake by Estee Kafra
