Well it's almost time to bust out the snark for another Hallmark-ified holiday. Actually, because I grew up agnostic, Easter is one of those holidays that actually meant more to me as a commercialized venture than it's real religious basis. I fondly remember Easter Egg Hunts at school and home, once netting myself a milk chocolate Sorcerer's Apprentice Mickey figure that I found behind our couch (and yes, I've talked about this, and my adoration of Creme Eggs, before).
It wasn't until after my mom remarried that we really started doing anything like a special meal for Easter Sunday at home. My grandparents would on occasion have us over for the standard-issue ham or roast beef, but being on our sugar highs meant my sister and I were really more bent on dessert. I always think of carrot cake when it comes to Easter, in particular the flavour of toasted walnuts in the one that my grandma used to serve. I hated walnuts as a kid, but have grown to appreciate the nuances they add to something fruity or earthy like banana bread or carrot cake, and it's more the crunchy texture than the flavour that puts me off when they're in brownies.
After making the already nutty Baklava Cream Fondant, I was looking for something to use it with and making sandwich cookies seemed like a perfectly logical option! I took the same basic flavours of the fondant, bumped up the nuts and added caramelized sugar that I ground into a powder as part of the sweetening power. The cookies are chewy, slightly soft and cakey, but are a perfect pairing with the fondant in the centre (or a honey ice cream!). They're a unique ending to a festive meal when you don't want something as heavy or sweet as a cake.
This week's #SundaySupper is all about Easter and Passover fare. With Holy Week beginning, there's sure to be many an opportunity to share these recipes with those you love! We have Carla as our host this week, a wonderful blogger, photographer and overall person I'm honoured to call a friend. You have to check out all the Easter treats on her blog - especially if you're as big a fan of the Creme Eggs as I am! Check out the offerings below:
For Easter
How To Color Easter Eggs Naturally from Shockingly Delicious
Breakfast, Breads, and Buns
Alebele – Goan Coconut filled Pancake from Masala Herb
Bunny Rabbit Bread from In The Kitchen With Audrey and Maurene
Easter Brunch Creme Brulee Baked Oatmeal from In The Kitchen With KP
Fresh Blueberries Hot Cross Buns from My Cute Bride
Hot Cross Cinnamon Buns from girlichef
Jamaican Easter Spice Bun from The Lovely Pantry
Paska – Ukranian Easter Bread from Cupcakes and Kale Chips
Portuguese Easter Bread | Folar de Pascoa from Family Foodie
Appetizers and Sides
Asparagus, Brie & Ham Crostini from Daily Dish Recipes
French Gratin Potatoes (Dauphinoise) from Simply Gourmet
Lemon Glazed Carrots from Curious Cuisiniere
Not So Deviled Eggs from Country Girl in the Village
Orange Raisin Couscous from Vintage Kitchen Notes
Potato and Leek Gratin from Webicurean
Spinach Spaetzle (Spinat Spaetzle) from The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
Main Dishes
Roast Leg of Lamb with Garlic and Rosemary from Small Wallet Big Appetite
Slow Cooker Honey Glazed Ham from The Meltaways
Sicilian “Enchiladas” from The Cooking Actress
Dessert
Bunny-Approved Baked Easter Doughnuts from The Weekend Gourmet
Carrot Cake Cheesecake from Chocolate Moosey
Coconut and M&M’s Cookie from Peanut Butter and Peppers
Coconut Cake with Coconut Buttercream from Juanita’s Cocina
Coconut Cupcakes from Magnolia Days
Cream Cheese Candies from Cravings of a Lunatic
Easter Cookies: Carrots in Dirt from The Urban Mrs
Easter Egg Cookies from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Easter Simnel Cake from Happy Baking Days
Exotic Walnut Cookies from What Smells So Good?
Honey Panna Cotta with Grand Marnier Roasted Figs from Gourmet Drizzles
Japanese Easter, Petit Fours and Flowers from Ninja Baking
Nutella Easter Egg Candy from The Messy Baker
Old-Fashioned Peanut Rolled Eggs from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
Painted Sugar Cookies from Ruffles and Truffles
Resurrection Rolls (Cinnamon Marshmallow Dessert Rolls) from Neighbor Food
Strawberry Bundt Cake from Basic N Delicious
For Passover
Homemade Matzo from The Foodie Army Wife
Mock Gefilte Fish from Fast Food to Fresh Food
Dessert
Charoset from The Little Ferraro Kitchen
Flourless Chocolate Torte from Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
Moroccan Haroset from MarocMama
Pavlova with Red Berries, Lime and Hibiscus from YinMom YangMom
Wine Pairing Recommendations for #SundaySupper Religious Feasts from ENOFYLZ Wine Blog
Join the #SundaySupper conversation on Twitter on Sunday, March 24 to
talk all about Easter and Passover recipes! We’ll tweet throughout the
day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts
at 7:00 pm EST. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag, and remember to
include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more delicious recipes and food photos.
Exotic Walnut Cookies
Makes about 16, 8 sandwiches
3 oz shortening
1 oz butter (or dairy-free buttery sticks), softened
¼ cup caramelized sugar powder (or raw sugar)
¼ cup raw sugar
2 egg whites
½ tsp vanilla
¼ tsp rosewater
1 cup oat flour
2 tbsp all purpose flour
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp baking soda
¾ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp nutmeg
3 tbsp ground walnuts
Cream together shortening, butter and both types of sugar.
Add egg whites, vanilla and rosewater, beating until well combined.
Add flours, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and walnuts. Beat until just combined.
Wrap dough and refrigerate 2- 3 hours.
Preheat oven to 375F and line 2 sheets with parchment.
Bake for 10-12 minutes. Cool completely on sheets.
Amount Per Serving (1 cookie)
Calories: 119.7
Total Fat: 7.9 g
Cholesterol: 3.0 mg
Sodium: 19.5 mg
Total Carbs: 11.2 g
Dietary Fiber: 0.7 g
Protein: 1.5 g