Passover Rainbow cookie

 

Another reason I loved visiting Mrs. Cohen each week was that she made this classic Jewish Treat. I don’t know it was authentic Jewish cake or just a New York thing, but oh my God, it's delicious. She used matzo cake meal (or crushed matzoh’s to make flour) and almond flour to make a kosher for Passover version of the colorful cookie.

Bring a platter of rainbow cookies to your next party or get together and watch them vanish in an instant! These vibrant, chocolate-covered delights not only catch the eye but are so delicious you'll find it hard to stop at just one. Also known as rainbow cake, they're made with three layers of spongy almond-flavored goodness, two luscious jam layers, and a decadent chocolate glaze. I have to admit I love anything almond-flavored. I’m spoiled by the amazing people I’ve had in my life who introduced me to delicious foods and treats growing up.

All that stacking and layering sounds like a lot of work, but it’s time well spent.

What are rainbow cookies?

A rainbow cookie is a delightful seven-layer treat, featuring jam nestled between vibrant layers of sponge cake. Coated in silky chocolate, it forms a crispy shell as it sets. Is it a cookie or a cake? The debate rages on!

I found out through my culinary history research that these delightful cookies have roots in the Italian American communities in New York City. To pay tribute to their heritage, bakers dyed the layers red, white, and green, reflecting the colors of the Italian flag.

Jewish bakeries crafted a kosher version that gained popularity at synagogues and celebrations. There’s even a festive Hanukkah twist with blue layers!

Ingredients

4 large eggs, room temperature

1 cup sugar

4 ounces almond paste, cut into small pieces

1/2 cup stick margarine

1/2 cup almond flour

1/2 cup matzo cake meal

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

6 to 8 drops red food coloring

6 to 8 drops green food coloring

1/4 cup seedless raspberry jam

glaze:

1 cup dark chocolate chips

1 tablespoon shortening

Dash salt

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Directions

Preheat oven to 375°. Line bottoms of 3 greased 8-in. square baking pans with parchment; grease parchment. In a large bowl, beat eggs and sugar until thick and lemon-colored, 2-3 minutes. Gradually add almond paste; mix well. Gradually add margarine, almond flour, cake meal, salt, and vanilla.

Divide the batter into thirds. Tint 1 portion red and 1 portion green; leave the remaining portion plain. Spread each portion into a separate prepared pan.

Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and edges begin to brown, 10-12 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes before gently removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.

Place red layer on waxed paper; spread with 2 tablespoons jam. Top with plain layer and remaining jam. Add green layer; press down gently.

For glaze, in a microwave, melt chocolate chips, shortening and salt; stir until smooth. Spread half over green layer. Refrigerate 20 minutes or until set. Turn over onto another piece of waxed paper; spread remaining glaze over red layer. Refrigerate 20 minutes or until set.

With a sharp knife, trim edges. Cut into 4 rows; cut each row into 1-in. slices.

Elizabeth Kilbride is a Writer and Editor with 40 years of experience in writing, 12 of which are in the online content sphere. Author of 5 books and a Graduate with an Associate of Arts degree in Business Management, a bachelor’s in mass communication and cyber-analysis, a master’s in criminology with emphasis on Cybercrime and Identity Theft, and is currently studying for her Ph.D. degree in Criminology. Her work portfolio includes coverage of politics, current affairs, elections, history, and true crime. Elizabeth is also a gourmet cook, life coach, and avid artist in her spare time, proficient in watercolor, acrylic, oil, pen and ink, gouache, and pastels. As a political operative who has worked on over 300 campaigns during her career, Elizabeth has turned many life events into books and movie scripts, weaving historical elements into compelling storylines. She also runs 7 blogs, covering art, life coaching, food, writing, Gardening, and opinion or history pieces, each week.

 

Passover Recipes, Kilbride, Jewish Cuisine, Potpourri of Frugality