Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish year, is coming up soon! This religious holiday celebrates repentance and forgiveness. It is a time when Jews reflect on their sins and ask for forgiveness from God. Yom Kippur is a time of fasting and prayer, and it is also a time when families come together to celebrate. In this blog post, we will discuss the history and customs of Yom Kippur. We will also provide the recipe for a delicious chocolate Babka!

Yom Kippur- A Day of Forgiveness & Resolution

The day of atonement, Yom Kippur, is the most important and sacred in the Jewish year. It is a day for reflection, prayer, and fasting. Jews around the world spend the day repenting for their sins and asking forgiveness from God. The fast begins at sundown on the night before Yom Kippur and lasts until sundown on the day of Yom Kippur. Jews are not permitted to eat or drink at this period.

Yom Kippur is also a time to reflect on the past year and make resolutions for the coming one. It is a day of new beginnings when we put aside our differences and come together as a community. This year, Yom Kippur falls on October 4th.

Decorating for Yom Kippur

Having a few fresh flowers is always pleasant, but there's no need to go crazy for breakfast. The focus will initially be on the cuisine! A substantial meal will be more appreciated by your guests—who are starving—than a lovely linen napkin set. Yom Kippur isn't exactly a joyful day, so that's another reason to limit decorations. It is more of a solemn, sad occasion since it is the day on which Jews come to grips with the darkest aspects of themselves.

Of course, you don't have to be unhappy; Break-Fast may still be a really lovely and significant occasion. After all, your family and friends will probably be there with you, and the evening will provide you with a perfect opportunity to rekindle your relationships with them over bagels, orange juice, and other scrumptious foods. Balloons, confetti, and bright colors are simply inappropriate at this time.

Traditional Dishes of Yom Kippur

While the food served at a Yom Kippur feast may vary depending on region and family tradition, there are some commonalities. The meal is usually a large one, meant to break the fast in a big way.

The feast typically features dishes that are either dairy or pareve (neither meat nor dairy). Common dishes include gefilte fish, matzo ball soup, kugel, challah, and babka. Desserts may include sponge cake or apple strudel.

German Jews like cinnamon-scented Zimtsterne biscuits, while Faloudeh Seeb, a meal made with shredded apple and rosewater, is a common dish served in Persian communities. There is also an amazing tale about the Yom Kippur hot chocolate custom of 17th-century Mexican Jews.

Chocolate Babka Recipe

Ingredients:

- ½ cup (120ml) of water

- ¼ cup (50g) sugar

- ¼ single-serving espresso or coffee powder (optional)

- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

- Unsalted butter in the form of cubes, 12 tablespoons (170g), at room temperature

- ½ teaspoon of salt

- ¾ cup (95g) of all-purpose flour

- ¾ cup (95g) of bread flour

- ½ teaspoon baking powder

- ¼ teaspoon baking soda

- ⅓ cup (35g) sifted unsweetened cocoa powder

-⅔ cup (150g) sugar

-½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

- ¼ teaspoon of ground cloves

- ⅛ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

-⅔ cup (160ml) heavy cream or milk

-½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. To make the syrup: Combine the water, sugar, coffee, or espresso powder (if using), and vanilla in a small saucepan. Until the sugar has dissolved, cook over medium heat, stirring periodically. It should be taken off the heat and let cool.

2. To make the dough: Combine the butter, salt, all-purpose flour, bread flour, baking powder, baking soda, and cocoa powder in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on low speed until the ingredients come together and form a crumbly dough.

3. With the mixer still on low speed, add the sugar, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and cooled syrup to the bowl. Mix until everything is evenly combined, scraping down the bowl as necessary.

4. Increase the mixer speed to medium and add the butter, one cube at a time. Mix until the dough comes together and is smooth and shiny for about 15 minutes.

5. With the mixer still on medium speed, add the cream or milk and vanilla extract to the bowl. Mix until everything is evenly combined.

6. The dough will be very sticky. Transfer it to a large bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 12 hours, or overnight.

7. When you're ready to bake the babka, remove the dough from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to soften slightly.

8. Divide the dough into two equal pieces. Working with one piece at a time, roll the dough out into a 12-inch by 16-inch rectangle.

9. Spread half of the filling evenly over the surface of the dough, leaving a ½-inch border all around. The dough should be tightly rolled up into a log, starting at one long side.

10. Pinch the seam closed and tuck the ends under. Place the log on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper, seam side down. The leftover dough and filling should be used in the same manner.

11. Cover the logs with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 12 hours.

12. When you're ready to bake the babka, heat the oven to 350°F (180°C).

13. Remove the plastic wrap from the logs and slice each one into 12 pieces. Arrange the slices, cut side up, in two greased and floured loaf pans. Bake for 35 minutes, or until the babkas are puffed and firm to the touch.

14. Remove the babkas from the oven and let them cool in the pans for 20 minutes. After that, remove them and let them cool fully on a wire rack.

15. Babka can be stored at room temperature, wrapped in plastic wrap, for up to three days.

Yom Kippur is a Jewish holiday that is celebrated by fasting and praying. The holiday is also known for its traditional foods, which include hot chocolate and babka. These recipes are perfect for anyone looking to celebrate Yom Kippur deliciously. Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoy these recipes. Sukkot is an important festival too, learn about it's values and feast here at Marky's