Every year my sister, Julie, and sister-in-law, Debby, make the best Mandel Bread for Passover. If you haven’t tried Mandel Bread before, it’s very similar to biscotti. It is a great Passover dessert, afternoon snack or perfect for breakfast served with coffee or tea. I will warn you that it is also super addictive, so once you start, you almost can’t stop eating it. You can make it with or without chocolate chips, but this version with lemon juice and almond extract is wonderful.
Classic Passover Mandel Bread
40 minutes
30 minutes]
3 dozen
4 large eggs
11/2 cups sugar, divided
1/2 cup canola oil
1 tablespoon grated lemon rind
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 cup potato starch
1/2 cup matzo cake meal
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon (optional)
1. Beat together eggs and 1 cup sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer until blended. Combine oil and next 3 ingredients; gradually add to egg mixture, beating until fluffy.
2. Stir together potato starch, matzo cake meal and salt; fold into egg mixture. Stir in nuts and chocolate chips, if desired. Pour batter into 2 greased 9- x 5-inch loaf pans.
3. Bake at 350F for 25 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. (Loaves will be about 1 inch thick). Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes; remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks.
4. Stir together remaining 1/2 cup sugar and cinnamon, if desired.
5. Cut each loaf into 1/2-inch-thick slices; place slices on their sides an ungreased baking sheet. Sprinkle with cinnamon mixture.
6. Bake at 325F for 15 minutes or until golden browned.
I love Mandel bread and this looks a while lot better then the Manischewitz I am use to!
This looks like a real treat. I would have to make it to share, since I would be temted to eat all of it myself.
I’ve never had this before, but I love biscotti…especially when chocolate chips are involved 🙂
Biscotti are my favorite…so I am going to have to try these! We are ALL behind since mom2summit my friend! 🙂
There are only a few biscuits that keep me coming back for more, over and over again. I will trust your opinion and give these go.
Alison – I am so enjoying your series of traditional Passover recipes. Most of them are not within my experience so it’s a fantastic opportunity to learn! Thank you for sharing your heritage through these beautiful recipes.
I’ve never had this or heard of it before. Now I really want to try it! YUM! 🙂
These sound great, and I love biscotti and well pretty much anything with chocolate chips in it, lol.
Hi Alison. Believe it or not I never made mandel bread. My son loves a version a friend of mine makes so I never bothered, maybe now I can win him over with yours:).
Alison, you teach us so much about excellent Passover cooking. Thank you for that girl!
A couple questions…prep time says 30 minutes chill time but recipe never says anything about chilling batter….did I miss something? Also, after slicing do you keep them upright or lay on their side before putting back in the oven? Would love a response ASAP if possible…going to try this tonight
no chill time and yes lay them on their side before putting back in the oven
Made this recipe and it was terrific. Thanks!