Best Bakeries In Sacramento For Passover Desserts

Passover is an annual seven or eight-day festival celebrating the release of the Jewish people from slavery in ancient Egypt. It is said that the Jews, led by prophet and teacher, Moses, escaped into the desert without having time for yeast breads to rise. In recognition of this, food or drinks made with yeast or other leavening agents are forbidden during Passover. Other traditions practiced during the period include a prohibition of specific meats and seafood and their byproducts. Other animal meats are allowed but cannot be served with dairy, such as butter, cheese or cream sauces. In 2015, the festival is celebrated from April 3 – 11, and these Sacramento bakeries have special deserts that are both delectable and perfect for Passover.

Bubbie's Love Kosher Style Deli & Catering
7800 Sunrise Blvd., #11
Citrus Heights, CA 95678
(916) 722-7800
bubbieslove.com

Owner Stacie Shoob-Allen named the restaurant for her grandmother, whose recipes inspired the dishes served at the area's only kosher deli. One of Bubbie's special Passover desserts is a frozen meringue torte made with strawberries, which has heavenly flavor and a beautiful presentation. Shoob-Allen notes that a full torte will not travel easily since it needs to remain frozen, so she invites guests to the café to enjoy it there. Individual, cupcake-sized tortes may also be available for catering. Bubbie's also serves a rich flourless chocolate cake, which Shoob-Allen says, laughing, "Is made with almonds, chocolate, chocolate and chocolate." For Passover, the café will be offering a "Seder in a box," with matzo ball soup, gefilte fish, lamb shank, horseradish, kugel, dessert and much more. Orders for the box must be placed by March 30, 2015.

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Freeport Bakery
2966 Freeport Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95818
(916) 442-4256
freeportbakery.com

The iconic Freeport bakery, owned by Walter and Marlene Goetzeler for 28 years, is renowned for baking delectable pastries, cakes, pies, cookies, muffins and savory delicacies from scratch. Special items are created each year for Passover, and custom treats can be ordered at any time. For spring of 2015, the bakery's Passover offerings will include Chocolate Sin, a flourless torte that has the delectable taste and texture of a rich brownie. Other options include a flourless almond cake layered with fresh strawberries and cream, as well as chocolate macaroons and almond horns dipped in chocolate. Freeport Bakery also makes addictive matzo bark and a Passover-perfect Chocolate Decadence. The cake, available throughout the year, is a dense, truffle-like creation mounded with fresh cream. Another classic treat is the bakery's Passover roulade, an almond based cake with apricot mousse surrounded by beautiful little raspberry jellyrolls. The staff at Freeport are as sweet as their baked good, and show a sincere interest in finding just what the customer needs.

Susie Cakes
564 Pavilions Lane
Sacramento, CA 95825
(916) 865-2250
susiecakes.com/sacramento

Susie Cakes just opened in Sacramento in January 2015, but the bakery has already built up a following of satisfied customers. There are a handful of other Susie Cakes shops throughout California, all are highly regarded for using fresh, natural ingredients and baking everything from scratch. Located in the Pavilions Shopping Center, the shop will have scratch-made Passover items available from March 27 through April 11, 2015. Macaroons, a holiday favorite, come with or without chocolate. Matzo, unleavened flatbread that is widely used during Passover, is the foundation of another decadent treat at Susie Cakes. Matzo crackers are drizzled caramel and chocolate to create a crunchy indulgence that is sure to please. Rich and satisfying flourless chocolate cake can be purchased whole or in cupcake form, the latter served with vanilla buttercream icing.

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Valerie Heimerich is a freelance writer out of Sacramento. She typically covers animals and community issues. She has volunteered and worked for many organizations helping animals and people.
Her work can be found at Examiner.com.