Mandel Bread Recipe - Just like grandma's (2024)

BY: Courtney PUBLISHED: 17 Comments UPDATED ON:

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Mandel bread is a delicious twice-baked Jewish cookie, similar to biscotti cookies. Our go-to cookie during the Jewish holidays.

Mandel Bread Recipe - Just like grandma's (1)

During the Jewish holiday, we enjoy mandel bread, but it can really be enjoyed any time of the year and you don’t have to be Jewish to enjoy it.

This mandel bread recipe comes from my grandma although my aunt is known as the mandel bread queen. She makes mandel bread so often I think she could do it with a blindfold. There are so many ways to enjoy mandel bread from how you serve it to what you fill it with, our top pick is chocolate chips with dried fruit but you can also add your favorite chopped nuts or even seeds.

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I just love giving edible gifts. Sometimes we find that the best gifts are those made with love and not those that are from the store made in a factory. I like to cherish these little moments and the product that comes from them 🙂

Making and enjoying mandel bread reminds me of my grammy, the cinnamon, the chocolate chips, and even the raisins that I’ll still pick out to this day. If I do put them in, I just put them in to have that memory. Weird, I know!

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What is mandel bread?

Mandel bread actually comes from the Yiddish name, Mandelbrot. There many ways to spelling other variations on the name like mandelbroit or mandelbrodt, or mandlbroytwhich means almond bread in Yiddish. Also worth noting, Mandel bread is sometimes referred to kamish bread in English-speaking countries.

Mandel bread is simply a twice-baked cookie that is very similar to biscotti, but softer. You can see below how it looks after the first bake. It’s still soft and ready to be toasted.

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What you’ll need to make mandel bread:

  • All purpose flour this is our flour of choice.
  • Vegetable Oilthis is preferred oil for baking.
  • Sugargranulated white sugar is best but you can also use cane sugar.
  • VanillaIf you don’t like vanilla you can also use almond extract.
  • Baking powder this helps the cookies rise.
  • Cinnamonwe only use cinnamon but you can also use a combination of cinnamon and nutmeg.
  • Eggsto make it vegan you can use applesauce, but the cookies will be a bit softer.
  • Add-ins – Chocolate Chips, Nuts, Dried Fruit – the options are endless, use your favorite add ins for these.
  • Cinnamon Sugar – we sprinkle cinnamon sugar at the end to give a little sweetness and more hints of cinnamon.
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How to make mandel bread

For the full ingredient amount and full instructions on how to make mandel bread scroll down to the recipe card below.

In a medium sized bowl combine the dry ingredients aside from the nuts, chocolate chips, and or dried fruit.

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In a large-size bowl combine the wet ingredients.

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Combine the wet and dry and then fold in the nuts, chocolate chips, or dried fruit.

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Cover and refrigerate the mandel bread dough for an hour or two.

Preheat your oven and then shape the mandel bread onto a baking sheet, about 4″ wide so that you have 3 loaves.

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Bake the mandel bread for 25 minutes. After baking allow the mandel bread to cool enough to handle, slice the mandel bread into 3/4 inch thick slices and then return to the baking sheet and bake in a 250 degree F oven for 15-30 minutes.

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Remove from the oven and sprinkle with a little cinnamon sugar. Allow the mandel bread cookies to cool before enjoying.

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Recipe Tips and Alterations:

  • Have fun with your mandel bread, we like to dip in extra chocolate during the holiday and even sprinkle with some holiday sprinkles.
  • Mandel bread is best store in an air tight container on the counter for up to a week
  • You can freeze mandel bread dough for up to 4 months, wrap in plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn.
  • Another option to freeze is to freeze the already baked mandel bread. You just freeze in an air tight container like a stasher bags or freezer safe bag.
  • Easily cut the mandel bread using a stainless steel scrapper or our personal favorite, a pizza cutter.

Storage and reheating tips:

  • Room temperature: Store leftover mandel bread in an air tight container on the counter for up to a week.
  • Freeze: If you want to freeze mandel bread dough before baking or after make sure you’re using a freezer safe container. For the dough we recommend wrapping in a bit of plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn.
  • Defrost: To defrost frozen mandel bread we recommend placing it in the refrigerator the night before you plan on baking. If you want to defrost cooked mandel bread you can place on the counter and enjoy within a few days.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between mandel bread and biscotti?

When it comes to appearance they look exactly the same and well, the taste as well. Both cookies are twice-baked cookies, but Mandel bread is a little bit softer and richer as it has more fat using more oil and eggs.

What else can you add to mandel bread?

The options are endless from nuts, seeds, dried fruits, chocolate or even sprinkles if you’re going unconventional.

Can you freeze mandel bread?

Yes, you can freeze mandel bread dough and baked cookies. My family likes to freeze it in pieces after baking and then snack on it straight from the freezer.

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more cookie recipes

  • Black and White Cookies
  • Peppermint Snowball Cookies
  • White Cake Mix Cookies

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ So nice to have you here! Did you try this recipe?Be sure to leave a recipe rating! Also, tagus@courtneyssweetson Instagram so we can share it!

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Mandel Bread Recipe

Author: Courtney

Our mandel bread recipe is perfect for dipping into tea or coffee and also great for gift giving during the Jewish holiday!

5 from 17 votes

click the stars to rate this recipe

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Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Jewish

Keyword: kamish bread, mandel bread, mandelbrodt, mandelbroit

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 30 servings

Calories: 154kcal

Ingredients

  • 3 cup flour
  • 3/4 cup oil
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 cup chocolate chips or a mixture of dried fruit nuts, chocolate
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon sugar if desired

Instructions

  • In bowl combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.

  • In another large-sized bowl combine the vegetable oil, sugar, vanilla, and eggs. Mix until mixture becomes thicker and light yellow.

  • Combine the wet and dry mixture and mix until combined. Fold in the chocolate chips and any dried fruit or nuts.

  • Place a cover on the bowl with the mandel bread dough and refrigerate for around 1-2 hours.

  • Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.

  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a reusable silicone mat.

  • Form the dough into 3 4" wide rectangles with the dough about 1/2-3/4" high onto the baking sheets Bake for 20-25 minutes.

  • Remove the baking sheets from the oven and allow the mandel bread to cool for 15-20 minutes. Lower your oven temperature to 250 degrees F.

  • Once the mandel bread has cooled cut it width-wise into 3/4 inch thick slices on a cutting board to prevent cutting your baking sheet. Now is the time to sprinkle with cinnamon sugar if you like yours with that extra sweetness and hint of cinnamon. Return the mandel bread back to the oven and bake until it's golden, about 15-30 minutes, more time if you like it crunchy.

  • Remove the mandel bread from the oven and place on a cooling rack and allow it to cool before enjoying. The cookies will harden as they cool.

Video

Notes

You can store mandel bread cookies in an air-tight container at room temperature for a week or freeze for whenever you have a craving.
The dough can be frozen for around 4 months. We recommend wrapping in a bit of plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 154kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 50mg | Potassium: 34mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 37IU | Vitamin C: 0.04mg | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 1mg

The nutritional information is automatically calculated and can vary based ingredients and products used. If the nutrition numbers are important for you we recommend calculating them yourself.

Tried this recipe?Mention @courtneyssweets or tag #courtneyssweets!

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About Courtney

Family, Food, and Photography are Courtney's passions and you'll see all of that on this blog. She is happily married to her husband Chris and together they have two amazing kiddos!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mandel Bread Recipe - Just like grandma's (20)JulieD

    I love this, Courtney! What a great idea!

    Reply

  2. Mandel Bread Recipe - Just like grandma's (21)Vanessa: thequeenofswag

    What a cute holiday gift idea. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  3. Mandel Bread Recipe - Just like grandma's (22)Lolo

    My son would love to help make that craft and the mandel bread. That would be a perfect teacher gift.

    Reply

  4. Mandel Bread Recipe - Just like grandma's (23)Stefanie

    I’ve never heard of mandel bread…I do like biscotti though.

    Reply

  5. Mandel Bread Recipe - Just like grandma's (24)Mellisa

    That is a super cute idea! I would love to give something like this as a gift.

    Reply

  6. Mandel Bread Recipe - Just like grandma's (25)Theresa

    This is such a cute idea.

    Reply

  7. Mandel Bread Recipe - Just like grandma's (26)Ty @ Mama of 3 Munchkins

    This is such a super cute idea!

    Reply

  8. Mandel Bread Recipe - Just like grandma's (27)Marcie W.

    I’ve never heard of Mandel Bread but I love biscotti so I’m sure I’d be a fast fan.

    Reply

  9. Mandel Bread Recipe - Just like grandma's (28)Brandie (@ Home Cooking Memories)

    I don’t think I’ve ever heard of Mandel bread before….looks delicious! And what a fun kid gift! #client

    Reply

  10. Mandel Bread Recipe - Just like grandma's (29)Tammy

    This would make a great gift! I have ‘crafted’ up those same mason jars from Walmart – I love how wintery festive they are on the counter full of whatever it is you want to display!

    Reply

  11. Mandel Bread Recipe - Just like grandma's (30)Shell Feis

    What a cute idea, and such a fun gift!

    Reply

  12. Mandel Bread Recipe - Just like grandma's (31)Colleen

    What a cute and easy gift for the holidays or maybe even a birthday or someone that just needs a lift. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply

  13. Mandel Bread Recipe - Just like grandma's (32)Donnashair

    Mandelbrot is one of my favs! I love the chic chip and of course anything with nuts. ❤️

    Reply

  14. Mandel Bread Recipe - Just like grandma's (33)Iris

    Your recipe has become my all time favorite for mandel bread. It’s easy to make and absolutely delicious. I love the hints of cinnamon in he dough and topping. I use chocolate chips, walnuts, and dried cranberries, and it makes a fabulous cookie.

    Reply

    • Mandel Bread Recipe - Just like grandma's (34)Courtney

      Thank you for such a sweet comment, Iris! I’m so glad you enjoy our family recipe!! 🙂

  15. Mandel Bread Recipe - Just like grandma's (35)Lynn

    can you make dough for Kamish bread one day ahead of time and store in fridge?

    Reply

    • Mandel Bread Recipe - Just like grandma's (36)Courtney

      I haven’t tried it before, but I think it could work. When refrigerating cookie dough you’ll get a chewier center and a crispier edge so it may change the texture a little.

Leave a Reply

Mandel Bread Recipe - Just like grandma's (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between biscotti and mandel bread? ›

Like biscotti, mandel bread is crunchy. However, it's made with more fat than biscotti, so the resulting cookie is a bit richer and less dry. You don't need to dip it in coffee or tea to enjoy it – it's delicious all on its own.

What is Mandel bread made of? ›

Ingredients. About 1 cup golden raisins, mini chocolate chips, and walnuts or a combination of the three (Malgieri's recipe calls for almonds, and no raisins or chocolate chips.) 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (Malgieri calls for a teaspoon of almond extract in addition to the vanilla extract, but I skip it.)

Why is my Mandel bread crumbly? ›

Too much flour can dry the cookies out and make them crumble. Baking powder – Gives the cookies lift. Sugar – For sweetness. Cinnamon – Adds a warm flavor throughout the cookie.

What does Kamish mean in Yiddish? ›

Mandelbrot (Yiddish: מאַנדלברויט), with a number of variant spellings, and called mandel bread or kamish in English-speaking countries and kamishbrot in Ukraine, is a type of cookie found in Ashkenazi Jewish cuisine and popular amongst Eastern European Jews.

Why is it called Mandel bread? ›

They're called Mandel Bread, and the name comes from the Yiddish word mandlbroyt, which means almond bread, as a common ingredient in the cookies is almonds.

What do Italians call American biscotti? ›

Italians use the word biscotti when referring to products that Americans call cookies. The word cantucci is used by Italians when referring to the product Americans call biscotti.

What is Elvis bread? ›

Serves 8. This "Elvis" banana bread is loaded up with a smooth and creamy peanut butter glaze and brown sugar-candied bacon. It's just basically freakin' awesome. 55 min. 2 hr 25 min.

What is the bread called that only Hopi people make? ›

Piki (pronounced peewee) is such a special food for the Hopi. Piki is a unique paper-thin wafer made of corn meal. Although piki making has traditionally been a pan-Pueblo activity, it is the Hopi who have raised it to an art form and for whom it is a central element in both ceremonial and everyday life.

What is twice baked bread called? ›

A rusk is a hard, dry biscuit or a twice-baked bread. It is sometimes used as a teether for babies. In some cultures, rusk is made of cake, rather than bread: this is sometimes referred to as cake rusk.

Why do my biscotti break when I cut them? ›

After the first bake, allow the biscotti to cool for about 10 minutes but don't leave them too long. If you leave them too long the dough will become too hard and it will be difficult to cut, but if you cut them when they are hot the slices will crumble.

Why is my homemade bread so dense? ›

There may be several reasons for a dense, cake like texture in bread. It may indicate the kneading wasn't enough for the gluten to develop properly, or the dough was proved for too short a time or the dough may have been too dry. It is also worth checking the flour you used.

Why does my homemade bread fall apart when I slice it? ›

Too much flour and not enough water can cause crumbly bread – people often do this if the dough is too sticky and they add more flour rather than kneading through it. Other culprits can be overproving or not kneading enough – the things you need to do to get a good structure.

What is the Yiddish word for jerk? ›

A schmuck is a loser, idiot, or jerk. This Yiddish word is a little old-fashioned and not very harsh. If you've ever felt like a dummy or sucker, you've felt like a schmuck. This is one of many Yiddish words for "jerk" or "idiot" that are common in English, including schmo, schlub, schlemiel, and schnook.

What is the Yiddish word for poor thing? ›

Nebbish comes from a Yiddish word, nebekh, "poor thing," and it's been used in English slang since the late 19th century.

What does fa*gel mean in Yiddish? ›

a young girl

Alternatively spelled "fegele", this literally is the diminutive of "fogel", which means "bird" in old German. It is used in normal parlance to mean "hom*osexual man" or "young girl".

What is the English name for biscotti? ›

cookie [noun] (American) a biscuit.

What's the difference between biscotti and cantucci? ›

The main difference between Cantucci and Biscotti is their origin, Cantucci is from Tuscany, and Biscotti is from the region of Emilia-Romagna. Cantucci is typically made with almonds, while Biscotti are made with all-purpose flour and a variety of nuts and chocolate or nothing.

What is the difference between American and Italian biscotti? ›

Biscotti can be either the traditional Italian type which is very crunchy and intended for dunking in coffee, tea, or wine. Or they can be the softer American type, eaten like any cookie. The Italian type keeps longer and has no butter, so they are much lower calorie and very low fat.

Is biscotti a bread or a cookie? ›

Biscotti, also known as cantucci, are twice-baked Italian cookies made of almonds and originated in Prato, Tuscany, in the 14th-century, where almonds were abundant.

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