Passover Desserts
For those who observe kosher Passover laws, sweet-tooth cravings must be met without the use of flour because of the ban of chametz. Chametz, Hebrew for leavening, is forbidden at seder dinners, which means grains like wheat, rye, barley, spelt and oats are out during Passover. Because meat and dairy cannot be eaten together during the same meal, seder desserts must be flour- and dairy-free — not an easy challenge for cooks. It would make sense, then, that desserts wouldn't necessarily be the highlight of Passover, but surpassing its obstacles has become a point of pride for some seder cooks who specialize in fashioning desserts that don't taste like they're not made with flour. Cookbooks and scores of websites are dedicated to helping hosts find the perfect Passover dessert recipes, and they seem to become fancier every year. Going to seder this year? You might see chocolate pavlovas with honeyed strawberries or even a caramelized pecan-praline roulade, all made without dairy or flour — that is, if you're lucky.