Bubbie Ruth's Mandel Bread
User Reviews
4.9
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
40 mins
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Total Time
55 mins
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Servings
40 servings
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Calories
90 kcal
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Course
Dessert
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Cuisine
Middle Eastern
Bubbie Ruth's Mandel Bread
Description
Bubbie Ruth's Mandel Bread starts with a dough made from vegetable oil, sugar, eggs, vanilla, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Semi-sweet chocolate chips are folded into the smooth, sticky dough before chilling it for at least two hours to improve handling and flavor melding. The dough is then shaped into four wide strips on a baking tray and baked once at 350°F for 25 minutes. During this time, a cinnamon sugar mixture is prepared for dusting. Traditionally, the bread is sliced and baked a second time at a lower temperature to achieve a firm, crunchy mandelbrot texture.
The inclusion of chocolate chips provides bursts of sweetness, while the cinnamon sugar dusting adds aromatic warmth. The twice-baked method creates a crisp finish that makes the bread suitable for dipping in coffee or tea. If a softer version is preferred, the second bake can be skipped; however, the bread should be thoroughly baked after the first round to avoid any moist centers.
This recipe is flexible with add-ins such as chopped almonds, walnuts, candied fruits, or white chocolate chips, allowing personalization. The dough can also be adapted with cocoa powder for a chocolate variation. Chilling the dough is important for shaping and preventing excessive spreading during baking.
Chocolate chips may be substituted or combined with nuts, dried fruits, or other sweet ingredients.Chilling the dough before shaping helps maintain form and improve texture.The classic mandelbrot texture comes from baking the bread twice; for a softer version, bake only once but ensure it is fully cooked.Cinnamon sugar dusting adds flavor and a sweet crust.
Ingredients
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract pure
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips you can sub chopped nuts, candied fruits, etc
- cinnamon ground cinnamon; for dusting
- granulated sugar ground cinnamon; for dusting
Instructions
- Mix together oil and sugar until combined, then add eggs one at a time. After the eggs are combined, add vanilla.
- Sift together all the dry ingredients and add them slowly to the sugar/egg mixture.Once the dough is smooth and sticky, pour the chocolate chips in and mix.
- Cover the dough with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for a few hours (at least 2) or overnight.
- Lightly oil your hands and form 4 long rows with the dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet (I line the cookie sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup). Each strip of dough should be 3-4 inches wide. They will spread out a lot during cooking, so make sure you leave enough space between the rows.
- Bake at 350 for 25 minutes. While mandel bread is baking, in a flat shallow dish, combine ¾ cup of sugar with enough cinnamon to turn the mixture light brown. It’s best to eyeball this – it shouldn’t be too brown or too white.
- Take the mandel bread out and turn the oven down to 250 degrees F. Slice the mandel bread into biscotti sized pieces.
- Roll each cookie into the cinnamon sugar mixture. Put the pieces back on the cookie sheet on their sides.
- Bake for another 15 minutes until they’ve achieved the texture you desire. The longer they stay in the oven, the crisper they will be. If the slices are big or wide, you might need longer than 15 minutes. Keep an eye on it and don’t over-bake, as this cookie tends to dry out quickly. Store in an airtight container.
Notes
- Chocolate chips can be replaced or combined with nuts, candied fruits, or chocolate varieties for different flavors.
- Chilling the dough for at least 2 hours or overnight makes it easier to handle and controls spreading during baking.
- Traditional mandelbrot features a twice-baked crisp texture; omitting the second bake creates a softer cookie but ensure it is fully baked after the first session.
- Cinnamon sugar mixture for dusting enhances flavor and texture.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 40servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 90 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 90kcal | 5% |
| Carbohydrates | 14g | 5% |
| Protein | 1g | 2% |
| Fat | 2g | 3% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 14mg | 5% |
| Sodium | 35mg | 1% |
| Potassium | 53mg | 1% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 25IU | 1% |
| Calcium | 12mg | 1% |
| Iron | 0.8mg | 4% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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