Kosher Cookies? Passover Dessert?
Where can we order the yummiest kosher cookies? We are looking for a place to order a fabulous Passover dessert. Any ideas? We're in the West Hollywood area but will travel outside the area if it's worth it.
GraceyNoodleStein
Apr 07, 2008 05:18PM
Gelson's does wonderful stuff, though it's technically Viktor Benes'.
I also love Beverlywood Bakery on Pico.
Permalink | Reply
agree with both of these and add delice bakery on pico
Permalink | Reply
what makes a cookie Kosher?
I know Leda's does Vegan cookies without butter animal fats. they use a healthier vegan shortening made with coconut oil, I think.
Permalink | Reply
Well, there's definitely a difference between just kosher and kosher for Passover, so I think the original poster should specify which she needs. The Fairfax District is a good bet for this. There are a bunch bakeries between Melrose and Beverly alone.
Permalink | Reply
Kosher for Passover means no leavening, besides abstaining from the use of most grain. Common Passover desserts include sponge cake made with matzo cake meal (matzo ground to a flour-like consistency), coconut macaroons, chocolate coated matzos, and sweets made with almond paste. Eggs and/or egg whites are typically used for leavening. As the OP said, check with the kosher bakeris on Fairfax. Some of them open special kosher for passover shops just for the holiday.
Permalink | Reply
Again, ask on the Kosher board for more scholarly answers. The basic ingredients of a cookie are kosher (flour, eggs, sugar, etc.) The concern might come in any additives, colorings, or preservatives. Or if they are baked in a pan that previously was used to bake something non-kosher. For these reasons, any eating establishment, including bakeries, must be certified by a rabbi or someone trained in the kosher laws.
Kosher for Passover is a different issue as there are much more strict rules over what may and may not be eaten on Passover. Flour and leavening agents are prohibited, as are corn and legumes for Jews of eastern European descent. Kosher for Passover baked goods are made using cake meal (which is finely ground matzah meal) or potato starch.
Permalink | Reply
Thanks for a good answer!
Permalink | Reply
Schwartz Bakery and Eilat Bakery (both kosher) make probably the largest selection of Passover baked goods. They're not open during the holiday (if I remember correctly), but the few weeks beforehand (NOW), their stores convert to selling exclusively Passover products. The selection includes cookies, chiffon cakes, macaroons, sheet cakes... Prices are very high compared to normal baked goods, but all kosher for Passover products are. Both bakeries have branches in Pico/Robertson and on Fairfax.
My all-time favorite Passover dessert is leaf cookies, which are almond paste shaped like a leaf and coated in chocolate. Yum. Unfortunately I haven't seen any leaf cookies in L.A. (There's a bakery in NY, Gruenebaums, that makes them the best.) I would also recommend the rainbow cookies and 7-layer cake. Which are available here. In fact, the Passover 7-layer cake might taste better than the non-Passover one. :)
Finally, you might try moving this post to the "Kosher" board which is full of people in the know.
Permalink | Reply
I love Eilat Bakery!
Permalink | Reply
I really do want to know what one has to leave out of a cookie to make it Kosher. Eggs? Milk? Butter? Can you not combine eggs and butter? If so, then Leda's is a fit for that. I also second Viktor Bene's!
Permalink | Reply
To insure all ingredients are kosher a bakery needs to be under kosher/rabbinical supervison for a cookie to be kosher - really the most common ingredients of a cookie typically are kosher - butter, milk, flour, eggs - the issues that come in include the type of shortening used particularly lard or mixing meat and dairy or some of the processed ingredients like frostings and the like that might contain non-kosher products like lard or non-kosher gelatin
Permalink | Reply
sprinkles cupcakes on little santa monica is making kosher for passover cupcakes
Permalink | Reply
Beverlywood Bakery has always been there for me..
9128 W Pico Blvd Los Angeles CA
Permalink | Reply
If you are looking for Kosher or Kosher for Passover cookies, all bakeries suggested on this board thus far are NOT KOSHER except for Delice, Elat, and Schwartz's. You may also order passover cookies and other baked goods from Catering By Brenda and Elegant Catering.
For those of you providing suggestions to people seeking kosher items, please, PLEASE do not do so unless you understand the concept of kosher supervision. Beverlywood Bakery, Viktor Benes/Gelson's, Leda's, and Sprinkles are not kosher establishments, thus their products are neither kosher nor kosher for passover. Refer generally to Weinstein5's post, but for items to be kosher, the establishment that makes and sells them must be under the supervision of a reputable rabbinic organization (in LA Kehilla, RCC, or Rabbi Benzaquen) no if ands or buts.
Permalink | Reply
But Gelson's supermarkets DO work with a rabbinic organization!
Permalink | Reply
Which organization? Their supplier, Viktor Benes, is not kosher.
Permalink | Reply
Ahh, therein lise the distinction. Gelson's does carry Kosher products and their Deli can provide Kosher items, I believe (now I am not 100% sure)
But VB may not.
Permalink | Reply
You are correct. Only kosher bakeries baking kosher-for-passover serve the real deal. People who are kosher-observant certainly know the distinction as do most people purchasing for observant. I would also include the "suddenly" holiday observant in this group.
But, in fact, many people do not require kosher supervision. They are actually looking for kosher for passover "style" goods. The OP was not exactly clear on this. In that case, many of the suggestions are good and I would add one more more.
Clementine makes lovely French-style chocolate macaroons filled with chocolate ganache as part of their Passover catering menu. They are wonderful and much tastier than the ones on offer at the actual Kosher bakeries. Again, not certified, not kosher, but a tasty alternative for whom the only issue is leavening and grains.
Permalink | Reply
Passover macaroons @ Bea's Bakery in Tarzana remain my favorite; I love the chocolate and plain coconut. Also, particularly recommend the coconut bar cookies covered w/ chocolate (a presumably kosher, fresh-baked Mars bar)! Delicious!
Permalink | Reply
2nd Ave.. Understood about the Parave and Kosher for Passover requirements. I do not keep Kosher and there are many like me looking for Passover Treats. So Happy Passover to you and yours and I will enjoy my Chumatz..
Permalink | Reply
CRUMBS!!!!!!! They have an AWESOME holiday menu. All flourless.
Ordered 3 dozen of their cupcakes.
Permalink | Reply
Susina has many special for Passover goodies - like chocolate dipped macaroons and hazelnut chocolate flourless cakes, however they are not kosher.
Permalink | Reply