Another stand-out-star for me was Silvia Nacamulli’s hazelnut chocolate cake. It contains no fat — other than in the nuts — but is tender, moist and utterly delicious. A keeper.
Sharon Lurie always comes up trumps and this toffee apple cake is no exception. Apples are a perfect partner for the creamy toffee syrup you slather all over this apple-packed treat. Make it parev or dairy — it’s down to you.
For my children, Pesach is not complete unless I’ve made a huge batch of my Millionaire’s matzah. Snappy shards of matzah topped with layers of hard set salted caramel and dark (or milk) chocolate are beyond more-ish. Top it with toasted nuts — choose your favourites — or if you prefer, colourful sprinkles and wait for the compliments to roll in.
Another winner from Fabienne, that I make year after year is her brownie cheesecake recipe. It will delight cheesecake fans AND the chocolate lovers equally. Guaranteed to become a family favourite.
New for this year, from Sarah Mann-Yeager is a cinnamon pecan apple cake with a very haimish flavour that will transport you straight to your grandma’s table and Seders past. It was a favourite with the team at our last photo shoot and is sure to be with your guests too.
This spin on one of my favourite chocolate bars — the Toblerone-ish meringue cake pairs gooey chocolate sponge with crisp meringue and crunchy nuts. It’s Insta-fabulous and super delicious. One for the chocolate lovers.
With more and more vegans on our guest lists we all need a plant-based bake in our possession. Emma Hollingsworth shared two droolworthy cakes that both warranted inclusion. Her sticky toffee pudding and chocolate brownies (on the same link - picture at the top of the page) are both going to keep everyone happy.
Denise Phillips also comes up trumps for chocophiles — and busy cooks — with these chocolate and date delights which can be prepared ahead, leaving your hands free for peeling thousands of hard-boiled eggs.
For a lighter chocolate dessert, this white chocolate, lemon and almond cake from Silvia Nacamulli is a must-have at her family’s Seder in Rome. Keep it simple or pipe the chocolate ganache and decorate with shreds of zest.
Shiri Kraus has a winning way with desserts, so it’s no surprise that her chocolate and salted pistachio mousse cake makes this list. The brownie base and salty pistachios makes this a cut above regular mousse cakes.
Finally, for those who prefer a more zesty pudding — Denise Phillips’s orange and hazelnut tart is a beauty. With Passover falling later this year, blush oranges may have vanished, but regular oranges will look equally stunning, or perhaps try clementines or other ‘easy peelers’ as they have become known in supermarkets. It’s worth making extra orange curd to slather on matzah or matzah meal pancakes.
Whichever one you choose - you can't go wrong. Be prepared for the praise.
