One of the most exciting parts about the change of seasons from summer to fall is the incredible baking that takes place. It’s a time when people around the world find ways to add local spices and delicious fruits to make some of the most delectable treats of the season.
These international-inspired sweets will enliven your taste buds and expand your dessert horizons. Let’s take a trip around the world with these globally inspired confections with California walnuts.
Honey Walnut Apple Cake
Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year festival typically held in September. As with many traditional holidays, these celebrations often include classic dishes you return to each year. This Honey Walnut Apple Cake is a charming dessert with a play on the classic pairing of honey and apples that is enjoyed during the holiday. Seasonal fresh apples are paired with spices and walnuts for extra depth of flavor. The cake is sweetened with honey and brown sugar, which caramelize in the oven for a delightful texture.
Dulce de Leche and Walnuts Alfajores
In Latin countries, milk and sugar are often incorporated into dishes by simmering them until they take on a rich butterscotch or caramel flavor. These Dulce de Leche and Walnuts Alfajores are light, delicate cookies bursting with flavor, and these international treats bake in just 5-6 minutes! Spread the creamy dulce de leche on one cookie, and put two together to make a cookie sandwich. The crushed walnut coating on the outside finishes off the dessert with nutty tones and a satisfying crunch.
Mrs. Z’s Secret-Ingredient Baklava
Baklava is a favorite dish in Mediterranean cuisine. The thin, buttery pastry sheets are filled with a variety of fruits, syrups, sugars and nuts, then topped with honey that soaks into the pastry over time. Each region in the Mediterranean tweaks the recipe to make it unique, but it’s a dish that is enjoyed all over the world.
You can create your own version of this global favorite with Mrs. Z’s Secret-Ingredient Baklava. Finely ground California walnuts mix with honey, cinnamon, graham crackers (the secret ingredient!) and sugar for a new take on this classic.
Rugelach
Rugelach — a word that means “little twists” — is a treat common in Israel and Eastern Europe. It’s a small pastry that resembles a tiny croissant, filled with all types of sweets, from jams and jellies to nuts and fruit paste. This Rugelach recipe combines the savory taste of cream cheese with cinnamon, apricot jam and raisins. Crushed walnuts add crunch to these puffy, golden pastries that are sure to impress at any get-together this fall.
International Treats to Celebrate the Season
As the flavors of fall begin to stock store shelves, take some inspiration from around the world to bake sweet treats that your family and friends will devour. And with versatile California walnuts in the mix, these recipes are sure to dazzle on any occasion.
