Last week, I posted one of Norene Gilletz's great recipes for Rosh Hashanah on our blog for a delicious Pomegranate Chicken. The pomegranate fruit has been getting increasingly popular due to its great health benefits and fantastic taste. For something more sweet to finish off a great Rosh Hashanah meal, I have posted on of Marcy Goldman's delectable recipes from her new book A Treasury of Jewish Holiday Baking that was also featured this week in the Associated Press. Keep an eye out for book hitting stores very soon!

Pomegranate and Sour Cherry Mandelbrot
Makes 2 to 3 dozen slices, depending on size
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup pomegranate molasses (see Note)
3 tablespoons honey
1 cup granulated sugar, plus extra for sprinkling
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 eggs, lightly beaten; plus 1 egg white, beaten, for glaze
3 cups all-purpose flour
13/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup whole walnut halves
3/4 cup dried sour cherries, plumped and dried

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, stir together the oil, pomegranate molasses, honey, sugar, and vanilla. Blend in the beaten whole eggs. Stir in the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, walnut halves, and dried cherries to make a thick batterlike dough.

Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper. Spoon out 2 rows of mandelbrot dough about 8 inches by 3 or 4 inches wide (or one large length of 10 to 12 inches). Brush the top with the beaten egg white and sprinkle with a little sugar.

Bake until the top of the dough seems firm and dry, 25 to 35 minutes. Remove from the oven and reduce the heat to 300°F. Slice the mandelbrot about 3/4 inch thick. Replace the baking sheet in the oven for 20 to 30 minutes to dry the cookies, turning them once after 10 to 15 minutes.

NOTE: Pomegranate molasses (usually Cortas brand) is available in Middle Eastern food stores or from one of the Middle Eastern mail order houses in the Source Guide. If you cannot find it, substitute 2 tablespoons honey with 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar.

Happy New Year!