PARSHA DESSERT: 2013-01-13

In this weeks parsha we learn about the mitzvah of Tefillin.

I adapted lamingtons (an Australian cake) to make these Tefillin. Lamingtons are basically a sponge cake dipped in chocolate and then rolled in coconut. However my kids panicked when they saw me coating the lamingtons in coconut, so I made some with and some without coconut.

Lamingtons Recipe:

Sponge Cake:

Ingredients:

1 cup margarine

2 2/3 cup flour

2 cups sugar

2 tsp vanilla essence

4 large eggs

2 tsp baking powder

pinch salt

1 cup water

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 160 degrees C (325 degrees F).

2. Greece pans you are going to bake them in (read bellow for different options)

3. In an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (k beater) cream together margarine and sugar for about 3 minutes.

4. Add vanilla, then eggs one at a time. beat until incorporated.

5. Add half the flour, baking powder, salt, then cup of water and then second half of flour (all while still beating)

Pour into baking dishes and bake for about 30 mins (or until toothpick comes out clean after inserting into middle of cake)

The tefillin shape is two squares (one bigger yet flatter under a smaller 'cube').

You can either buy pans in the two different sizes.

or if you cant find any pans the right size or shape, you can bake two large cakes and cut these into the two different sizes. Make sure to make one cake thinner than the other as you want the bottom piece to be thinner.

I was lucky to find square muffin pans just the right size for the bottom part. For the top part I baked a big cake and cut it into cubes.

If using the muffin pans, you will need to cut the 'rounded' top to make it flat so that the second square will fit on properly.

To assemble:

Pour coconut into a bowl.

I added some black food colouring in powder form to make get the right colour for the tefillin.

In a double boiler, melt about 250g chocolate mixed with 1 cup Riches whip. Start with the bottom piece and dip into the chocolate coating all around.

Then pour place into coconut mixture. Using another pair of forks, toss and turn to cover properly. (apologies for the unclear pictures, no adults were around to help with photographing so one of my kids volunteered to do the job;))