Coffee-Vanilla Squares

Food and Prop styling by Janine Kalesis | Photos by Hudi Greenberger

When I was in high school, I was looking to bring something new to my family’s repertoire of Pesach cakes. My friend Ayala shared this recipe with me, and, even so many years later, it continues to be a family favorite.

Yields 1 9 x 13-inch (20 x 30-cm) pan

• 6 eggs, separated
• 1½ cups sugar, divided
• ¾ cup oil
• ½ cup ground walnuts
• 2 Tbsp vanilla sugar
• 1 Tbsp coffee granules, dissolved in
• 1 tsp water
• ¾ cup potato starch

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

In a medium bowl, beat the yolks, 1¼  cups sugar, oil, walnuts, vanilla, coffee, and potato starch.

In a large bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff.  Add ¼ cup sugar, and beat until combined.  Carefully fold the yolk mixture into the snow. Pour batter into a parchment-lined 9 x 13-inch (20 x 30-cm) baking pan.

Bake for 30–40 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out dry.