CULTUREVATING FAITH
Cultivating Faith Culture

cul·​ture·vat·ing \ verb

1. Cultivating your faith & family culture by learning to abide in Messiah Yeshua and His Torah.

Now Eating: Matzo Crack – Heaven Without The Leaven

Moedim, Passover, Recipe

Matzo Crack - Exodus Toffee on Matzah - Heaven without the leaven!

Turning Store-Bought Matzo into Something Miraculous 🍫

Shalom, Mishpacha!

Okay, I might be walking into controversial territory here, but I have to be honest, I have yet to meet a boxed matzo cracker that didn’t taste like disappointment. Dry, bland, and entirely joyless. We make our own matzah bread at home, and it’s so good I have to remind myself it’s only for one week… or I’d be in serious trouble with the scale!

But even boxed matzo can be redeemed! Enter: Matzo Crack! The classic, sweet, crunchy chocolate-toffee treat that turns cardboard crackers into Cracklin Yumminess!

✨ The Classic Favorite: Chocolate Toffee Matzo Crack

I’m not going to reinvent the wheel here—Jennifer Segal from Once Upon a Chef has absolutely nailed the Matzo Crack Recipe. Instead, I’ll share a few of my favorite ways to elevate it to the next level with flavor and flair.

Here’s what I do:

  • Toffee: Add a splash of vanilla extract after it comes off the stovetop, because vanilla toffee is life. I also use salted butter since the crackers are, well, bland as Egypt’s bricks.

  • Chocolate: Pour an entire bag of dark chocolate chips over the hot toffee base right after baking. Spread it smooth, then it’s time to decorate!

🧁 My Favorite Toppings

  1. Dehydrated Kosher Paskesz Mini Marshmallows
    I prep these every winter for hot cocoa or cereal (for a kosher version of lucky charms). I put them on parchment (baking) paper on a cookie sheet, stick in the oven on very low heat and check them until they are fully dehydrated and crunchy. If fully dehydrated, they stay good for months in a ziplock bag. For Matzo Crack, I toss them in the food processor for a crunchy, sweet topping. HUGE hit with everyone—including adults who “just wanted a little bite.” 😉


  2. Graham Cracker Crumbs
    Yep—zero leavening, zero guilt, 100% flavor. Adds a nostalgic, slightly sweet crunch. So good.
    PRO TIP: Pair one graham bite with one marshmallow bite and you’ll want s’more. 😄


  3. Hanukkah Blue Sprinkle Mix
    Plant-based and festive! I had some left from Hanukkah, and it added such a pretty touch. Makes it look as magical as it tastes.

💡 Feeling Inspired?

Feel free to let this inspire your own unleavened creations! Because during this set-apart week, we might be skipping the rise, but not the elevation.

#HeavenWithoutTheLeaven #MatzoCrack #UnleavenedAndUnapologetic

Make it – Easy Recipes for a Stress-Free Shabbat Eclair Cake

Recipe, Sabbath

Shabbat Eclair Cake. It's simple, special, and delicious!

Sometimes, I just can’t!

There are weeks when I am so worn out that stressing about what meals I will prepare in time for the Sabbath seems too complicated. There are times I have wanted to cry because I am so tired. Can you relate? And don’t get me wrong, I love to cook and bake, but not when I am

The last thing in the world I want is to be a grouch at my family for the Sabbath. I don’t want to be this woman:

“Honey! Kids! Get your hineys in here now, we are going to have a Happy Shabbat even if it kills us!”

This mamma is in tears of frustration and she’s been yelling at her family for the last hour because she can’t pull this off every week on time.

This is not the way to set the mood for the incoming sweet gift Yah gave to us!

Sabbath simplicity

Do the whirlwind of weekly responsibilities ever leave you stressing about Shabbat preparations? Amid our busy lives, my family and I understand the need for simplicity without sacrificing the sweetness and sacredness of the Sabbath.

Savoring every moment

For those who juggle demanding schedules and a bustling household, I want to reassure you – the Sabbath was crafted for moments of joy, not stress. Embracing the beauty of rest should be less difficult, and not give you an emotional breakdown.

“The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.“

Bringing special to simple

That’s why I’m excited to share some tried-and-true recipes that bring the charm of a homemade meal to your Shabbat table without the hassle during those weeks we just can’t make everything from scratch. Let’s celebrate the joy of family and community without the burden of elaborate preparations.

Let’s Start with Something Sweet: Eclair Cake!

To kick things off, let’s dive into a delightful recipe that’s been a favorite since my teenage years – the Eclair Cake. It’s the perfect blend of simplicity and indulgence, making it an ideal treat for your Sabbath celebration.

Are you ready to infuse your Shabbat with sweetness? Let’s make this Eclair Cake together, mishpacha! Shabbat Shalom!

Symbolic Delight: Nutella Pastry Breakfast on the 8th Day

Eighth Day, Moedim, Recipe

Symbolic for the 8th Day, a delicious Nutella Puff Pastry Breakfast

As we celebrate the 8th Day, a sacred and joyous occasion as commanded in Leviticus 23:36, what better way to start your morning than with a heavenly treat that blends tradition with indulgence? Our Nutella Puff Pastry Breakfast is a delectable tribute to this special day, and it carries an added layer of symbolism.

Before we dive into the recipe, take a moment to feast your eyes on the mouthwatering photo collage above. It’s a visual journey that showcases the simple steps to create this culinary masterpiece, which just so happens to resemble an “8” petal flower, star, or snowflake when baked. This delightful shape adds a touch of symbolism to your breakfast table, making it even more meaningful.

Now, let’s embark on this culinary adventure together. Click the following links for the detailed recipes:

1. https://lifemadesimplebakes.com/nutella-puff-pastry-snowflake-9/

2. https://www.marcellinaincucina.com/nutella-puff-pastry-flower/

Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a novice in the kitchen, you’ll find joy in preparing and savoring this Nutella Puff Pastry breakfast.

So, let’s get started and make this 8th Day truly memorable with a breakfast that’s both delicious and filled with symbolism.