Patch Picks: Passover Inspires These Delicious Dessert Recipes

With Passover and Seder celebrations on the way, we gathered up some delicious recipes recommended by Patch friends that can be enjoyed and shared with all. Passover will begin at sundown on Monday, April 18 and continue for seven days through Monday, April 25.

More than just tasty treats, many traditional recipes from the Passover tradition have been passed down through generations to honor the celebrated flight of more than 600,000 Jewish people from Egpyt--so quickly they could not even allow their bread to rise. From this tradition, the unleavened bread and tasty snack Matzoh was born. Matzoh ball soup is one of the more widely known recipes known both within and outside Jewish communities, but many more recipes creatively incorporate this key ingredient of Matzoh that can be enjoyed by all.

The following recipes have been recommended directly from local resident Ruth Duncan Weiner's family kitchen, with a special thanks to Marianne Menas of Middletown for her help in collecting these delicious recipes.

All of the ingredients are available at the local national chain grocery stores. has a large display as soon as you walk into the store, while also has a very large section for Kosher foods so these ingredients will be easy to find. 

Vegetable & Fruit Kigel Cupcakes

Ingredients:

• 2 apples
• 1 large sweet potato
• 4 carrots
• 1 cup Matzoh meal
• 1/2 cup (1stick) pareve margarine, melted
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Directions:

Peel and grate the apples, sweet potato, and carrots. Mix with the rest of the ingredients. Place the paper muffin cups in the muffin tins. Pour the batter into the cups. They should be two thirds full. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until done.

Apple Cake

Ingredients:

• 2 Large apples
• cinnamon and sugar mixture
• 3 eggs, separated
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 lemon, juice and grated rind
• 1/2 cup oil
• 1 cup Matzoh meal
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:
Peel and core apples, slice thin, and sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar mixture. With electric mixer, beat egg yolks, add sugar gradually and beat until thick. Add lemon juice, lemon rind, and oil. With mixer at low speed, add Matzoh meal and salt. Beat egg whites until stiff. Fold into egg yold mixture. Pour half of batter into a greased 8x8 pan. Spread sliced apples on batter. Cover with remaining batter.
Bake in a 350 degree oven for 45 minutes or until nicely browned. Serves 12.

• Trying out one or both of these recipes can be a great opportunity to engage the kids in a fun and low-cost family activity in the kitchen or to learn about world culture while enjoying some yummy goodies.
• Click here for great coloring sheets and info for the kids, too.

Next week: A look at Easter brunch around town and more...

To learn more about Passover or local Jewish observances, contact in Middletown.