Debby * Chocolate Chip Mandel Bread
Debby is a bit of a mandel bread maven, if you will. She has been making mandel bread for years, although the history of this particular variation stretches back much further than that — all the way to Lithuanea, generations ago. When Debby’s husband’s grandmother immigrated to the U.S. at age 13, this is the one of the few recipes she brought along with her.
Debby
Over time, Grandmother Mary’s mandel bread became rather famous within her family. In the summertime, her grandchildren would often visit Mary at her home in the countryside, where she would bake them mandel bread and cinnamon rolls even in the blistering heat. I’m making these just for you, Grandma Mary would say to each of her many grandchildren. “Of course, my husband grew up thinking that she made mandel bread just for him,” Debby laughs. “And it wasn’t until recently that he realized she pretty much told that to everyone!”
Still, there’s no denying that every one of Mary’s grandchilden felt special biting into that golden, crumbly cookie. The “Jewish biscotti,” as Debby jokingly refers to it, and without a doubt, there are similarities. But whereas biscotti is light and airy, mandel bread is richer and denser, with a buttery crunch more akin to shortbread. The edges may crispen and crumble, but the moist interior tends to melt in your mouth, mingling notes of almond with plump bits of gooey chocolate.
Quite simply, it’s delicious — perfect with a hot cup of coffee, a morning newspaper, a quiet afternoon, or as a post-dinner treat. And as it just so happens, Debby has kindly provided the recipe. Just for you.
Three Quick Questions…and Debby’s Answers
It’s your last meal. What do you have?
A fresh, spring mix salad with berries, nuts, goat cheese and balsamic vinaigrette; glazed grilled salmon with roasted potatoes and French green beans; and a good cup of coffee and something with dark chocolate for dessert.
Your kitchen is burning down. What’s the one thing you grab?
I have a big file folder of recipes from family and friends, so I would have to take that.
Do you have a favorite cookbook?
I think that file folder is my favorite cookbook.
- ¾ cup vegetable oil
- 3 eggs
- 3½ cups flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp vanilla or almond extract
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips, raisins, dried cranberries, dried cherries, or any combination of these
- ½ - 1 cup sliced almonds
- cinnamon and sugar, for sprinkling
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together oil and sugar, then stir in extract. Beat in eggs.
- In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Stir the flour mixture into the oil, sugar and egg mixture. Stir in the almonds and chocolate chips (or raisins, dried cranberries or dried cherries). Cover dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 – 60 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°F.
- Very generously grease two cookie sheets that have edges. Baking sheets can be lined with greased parchment paper or foil for easier cleaning. Form the dough into three logs, about 1¼-inch thick, and place on greased cookie sheets. Sprinkle a mixture of cinnamon and sugar on top of the logs. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until lightly golden on top.
- Slice logs on the diagonal into pieces about 1-inch wide, and place the pieces on their sides; bake 5 minutes. Flip pieces over and bake an additional 5 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.
I recently tried my hand at biscotti for the first time and completely fell in love. But these breads sound fantastic and even better!! I pinned this recipe, thanks!
Jess, I have seen some of your biscotti recipes and they look amazing! Mandel bread is definitely a little different, but so so good! If you end up trying it, you’ll have to let me know what you think!
I’ve never heard of mandel bread before. It looks delicious! 🙂
I have to warn you: it’s addictive!! : )
I’ve never heard of mandel bread before either, but a shortbread-like snack with chocolate chips? I’m all in.
Haha, it is hard to go wrong with chocolate isn’t it?
Such a sweet story, and the bread looks so good!
Thanks for reading, Jess!
I’ll totally be trying out this recipe! I’ve never had mandel bread and I like that it comes from Lithuania (where my dad was born). Baking this up tonight.
Oh, how cool — even more reason to make this 🙂 Let me know what you think!!
I am the Daughter of Grandma Mary.It makes me so proud to have my Daughter,Debby Levinson carry on our famous Mandel Bread. Hope you all enjoy. Adeline Horwitz
Adeline – I am so grateful she shared it with us! Both the recipe and the story are so special.
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These look just like my Grandmothers. I think the recipe is the same as well. Most recipes have slightly more oil and sugar etc. making them a little too cake like for my nostalgia. This one…perfect! But you can’t really go wrong with a mandel and a cup of tea!
I LOVE MANDEL BREAD. IT’S MY FAVORITE DESSERT!!