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Sweet Snacks

Appetizers/Starters, Breakfast/Brunch, Sweet Snacks

Sourdough Brioche-style Raisin Snails (Rosienenschnecken)

A bit of a “controversial” Breakfast item this week as I know that many people aren’t fans of raisins. I love raisins and along with dill pickles, they were some of the very first things that my grandfather would give me as a treat when I was little (I don’t know what is stranger, pickles or raisins, to be honest). Combine that with “swirls” (or Schnecken, which translated is “snails” from the German) and we have one of my favorite breakfast treats. My Oma used to call me ‘schneckle’ or little snail. 🙂

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25. May 2022
Breakfast/Brunch, Desserts, Sweet Snacks

Rhubarb Rosehip Shortbread Bars

It’s May first and in many places, this is a celebratory day. Not much going on here in Camberville, except the sun is shining and I am in a good mood and so I tried the channel that into my treats that I baked this morning. Back to some of my “more unusual” flavor combinations: Rhubarb Rosehip Shortbread Bars!A little tart, a little sweet, overall delicious and definitely not something that you would have every day. Not everyone has had rosehips, but they are floral and fruity tasting; combine that with the spring-rhubarb flavor and you have a winner!

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1. May 2022
Cookies, Sweet Snacks

Varenyky-style Dumpling Cookies

The Ukraine’s “national dish”, I have been told, are Varenyky. Varenyky are very very similar to Polish Pierogies. Like almost identical. The one thing that I did find unique is that in some places, and in some cases, there are also sweet dumplings in the style of Varenyky, however, they are filled with jam fillings and baked. That is what these are: Varenyky-style Dumpling Cookies, filled with black currant, peach and tart cherry jams. The dough itself isn’t sweet at all (barely any sugar) however once dusted with a bit of powdered sugar and the jam of course, they are lovely. Very flaky dough. I happen to have a ravioli press that I used to form these, but you can also just use a round cookie cutter and the tines of a fork to seal them.

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24. April 2022
Desserts, Sweet Snacks

Passion Fruit Meyer Lemon Tart with Fresh Berries

It’s Easter Weekend, and in addition to all the breads that I have been making, and cookies, of course, I decided to make this little Passion Fruit Meyer Lemon Tart with Fresh Berries for Easter Dinner dessert. Something a little different but I am pleased with the result. If you’ve never used fresh passion fruit before, do seek them out (and pick the super ripe ones) as they are delicious!

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16. April 2022
Breads, Breakfast/Brunch, Sweet Snacks

Makivnyk – Sourdough Poppy Seed Crescent (маківник)

Back to baking things that are “Ukrainian-inspired” although this could also be Polish, Hungarian, Slovak, Czech, or from the Baltics (did I cover everything?!?) …. this is Makivnyk (маківник): a sweet, poppy seed filled sweet bread, with a dough similar to a cinnamon roll, although not nearly as sweet and cinnamony. It’s often baked as a breakfast bread or something for afternoon tea, and often during celebratory seasons like Christmas or Easter. I’ve sprinkled it with raw sugar, but you can also add coarse pearl sugar or confectioners sugar. I love it because it isn’t overly sweet. The original recipe that I found was yeast-based but I converted to sourdough.

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12. April 2022