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Old Jewish bakery nut loaf

bonnibakes's picture
bonnibakes

Old Jewish bakery nut loaf

I've been unable to find a recipe for a classic cake that all the old Jewish bakeries in NYC always had. It was a two layer rectangle loaf about 9"x5" of moist nut cake with a thin layer of raspberry jam and powdered sugar on top. It may have originally come from Hungary or Austria and some bakeries made big slabs and would cut chunks out to order. If anyone has a clue where I might find a recipe I'd be very grateful...and so would a dozen other people in Brooklyn.

Lechem's picture
Lechem (not verified)

Linzer Torte. Almond cake with jam on top. But it's usually round and has a lattice design on top.

Could it have been a local reinvention? 

vlubarsky's picture
vlubarsky

I also think it is Linzer cake.  I have seen an almond cake split with raspberry filling and a powdered sugar sprinkling on top.  Usually round though...

 

Stuart Borken's picture
Stuart Borken

I wonder if some of your friends or family might remember some more details about this cake.  I reviewed my copy of "Inside the Jewish Bakery" by Stanley Ginsberg and Norman Berg who each worked Jewish bakeries in NYC and around there and they don't describe any cake resembling what you described.  Where do nuts come into the picture with this cake?

Wild-Yeast's picture
Wild-Yeast

Hazelnut raspberry loaf? Secrets of a Jewish Baker.

Wild-Yeast

bonnibakes's picture
bonnibakes

The people on TFL are the best!! I initially looked in my copy of "Inside the Jewish Bakery" and couldn't find it there. Thanks for checking that Stuart. Lechem your suggestion of Linzer Torte sent me searching photos of those but mostly they had pastry shells and this loaf cake looks like it's made with a batter. As vlubarsky suggested, I think it's a form of Linzer Cake but couldn't find a recipe that sounded right. Yesterday I looked in my copy of Greenstein's "Secrets of a Jewish Baker" and I agree with Wild-Yeast, I think it may be his Hazelnut Raspberry Loaf. There isn't another recipe that pops up in Google when I look for "Hazelnut Raspberry Loaf". This is very surprising to me because this cake was as standard an item in Jewish bakeries as Seven Layer Cake, another favorite.

I remember this layered loaf being very nutty because of all the ground nuts in it, but not dense, and didn't recall them being hazelnuts. Searching for "Jewish Nut Loaf" brought me lots of frustration but asking TFLers for help has brought me joy. I'm going to bake it and I'll let you know if it is "the cake". Sounds delicious!! Thanks again.

Rcknroll56's picture
Rcknroll56

Hi, I saw your post and I too have been looking for this recipe. I’m from Long Island Ny…but moved to SC. I was wondering if you ever got the recipe and if you made it? I would love to have a copy of the recipe if at all possible.ty for your time

llapis's picture
llapis

Please, put me out of my misery and share the recipe..   llapis18@gmail.com PLEASE>.....

ACE's picture
ACE

Rcknroll56's picture
Rcknroll56

Hi, read your post. By any chance do you have the recipe for it?

llapis's picture
llapis

Did you find the recipe????

bonnibakes's picture
bonnibakes

The recipe is in George Greenstein's book "Secrets of a Jewish Baker" on page 371 and is called Hazelnut Raspberry Loaf. I've baked it and it's the real deal. I can't print it here but if you send me your email address I'll email a copy to you.

Elliott S Jacks's picture
Elliott S Jacks

hello

can you email me the recipe if still available please

elliottjacks@hotmail.com

thank you so much

Joaniecny's picture
Joaniecny

Hello- were you ever able too ate this recipe? I’ve seen you ask on a few posts

 thank you joan@clyne.com

bonnibakes's picture
bonnibakes

Yes, the recipe is in George Greenstein's book "Secrets of a Jewish Baker" on page 317 and is called Hazelnut Raspberry Loaf. I have baked it and it looks & tastes as all of us remember. His book is readily available in most libraries or book stores. I can't print the recipe here but if you email me at bonnibakes@gmail.com I'll email it to you.

Bakers_Folly's picture
Bakers_Folly

I remember it and have been looking for it again since the early 80s in NYC. I remember it as very rich, possibly a fruitcake with a piecrust like base and the topping a thin layer of raspberry covered with a thin white sugar glaze. It was baked in a loaf and served as slices. I used to get it from the Kresge's in Poughkeepsie, NY and found it once in a small Jewish bakery in Brooklyn.

Miss it's picture
Miss it

i was looking for it today, remembering it from California in Burbank near Lankershim I had this same cake in the year 1980 haven't seen it since but I'm always looking for it! Thanks for the info! Glad you found it!

llapis's picture
llapis

You wrote: Glad you found it. Where did the person find the recipe????

Krispucci's picture
Krispucci

Hello I have been in search of this recipe and it seems to be impossible to find. ☹️

Did you have any luck with a recipe. This was my favorite cake growing up in Brooklyn, I would love to be able to make it. 

Fingers crossed that you found a recipe! 

Elliott S Jacks's picture
Elliott S Jacks

did you find recipe ?

bonnibakes's picture
bonnibakes

Secrets of a Jewish Baker, page 317 and called "Hazelnut Raspberry Loaf". The picture that Ace posted of the French Nut Cake is exactly what it looks like. I made it and the taste was spot on but it was more dense than I remembered. Possibly, or most likely, my faded memory. I haven't found the recipe on line but if you don't own the book it's available from many libraries.

idaveindy's picture
idaveindy

The book with the recipe is currently on sale for $4.99 for the Kindle ebook edition:

https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Jewish-Baker-Recipes-Breads-ebook/dp/B00CGI3INK/?tag=froglallabout-20

The Hazelnut Raspberry Loaf recipe is on page 278 of the Kindle edition.

Hard copy:  New, $26 - $30, incl shipping.  Used: $18 & up, incl shipping.

 

 

Krispucci's picture
Krispucci

Going to buy the book now! Can’t wait to make it. ?

westiemom's picture
westiemom

I, too, remember the delicious French Nut Cake loaf, with raspberry jam filling between a couple of layers, with crushed walnuts and powdered sugar on top.  My Dad would bring it home in the pink box from the local Jewish deli in San Diego, Blumer's, where i would eventually get a part time afterschool job while i was in high school,  for gas money for my first car. 

I've been searching for the recipe as I want to make it; am craving it!    Someone posted a photo of the exact French Nut Cake loaf I remember so fondly.   

Does anyone here have this recipe so I print it out and make it?  I've found other versions, on line, but the photo is the exact cake/loaf I remember and would appreciate the recipe for.

Thank you in advance!

llapis's picture
llapis

Were you able to get the recipe for the French Nut Raspberry Loaf? Please share..... PLEASE

Elliott S Jacks's picture
Elliott S Jacks

hello

can bonnnibakes send me the recipe please for the nut loaf

my email is

elliottjacks@hotmail.com

thank you very much