Rainbow cookieorrainbow cakeusually refers to a three-layeredalmond-flavoredItalian-Americancookie,but can also refer to any of a number ofrainbow-colored confections.[1][2]
 | |
| Alternative names | Rainbow cake, Neapolitan cookies, seven layer cookies, Venetian cookies, seven layer cake, Italian flag cookies, tricolor cookies, tricolore |
|---|---|
| Type | Cake |
| Place of origin | Italian Americans |
| Region or state | New York City |
| Main ingredients | Sponge cake(flour,almond paste,butter,sugar,almond extract,egg yolks,egg whites), apricot or raspberryjam,chocolate |
Composition
editRainbow cookies are typically composed of layers of brightly colored,almond-basedsponge cake(usuallyalmond paste/marzipan),apricotand/orraspberryjam,and a chocolate coating.[3]Commonly referred to as a "cookie," their composition is closer in many ways to a layered cake orpetit four.The original rainbow cookie featured layers with colors representing theItalian flag:white, red and green.[4]However, there may be variations in the color of the rainbow cookie's layers, whether for particular holidays, or other events.
History and origins
editRainbow cookies were first introduced by Italian-American bakeries in the late 19th or early 20th century, and have since spread to other Italian-American and mainstream bakeries.[5]Rainbow cookies are particularly popular atChristmas.[4]
Though manyItalian confectionshave analmond pasteoralmond flourbase, rainbow cookies are a decidedly Italian-American creation. [6]While there is no direct analogue to rainbow cookies in Italy, Italian food historianMary Taylor Simetispeculates that the Italian-American rainbow cookie is based on the tri-coloredgelato di campagna,anougatwith the same colored layers.[7]
Popularity in the Jewish community
editRainbow cookies are popular in theAmerican Jewishcommunity, and are commonly associated withAmerican Jewish cuisineand can be found at many Jewish delis, kosher eateries, andJewishbakeries[8]throughout the United States, especially in theNortheastern United States.AsJewish refugeesfrom Eastern Europe settled in New York Cityen masseat the turn of the twentieth century, they often settled in areas that also had anItalianpopulation. It was at this point that Jewish Americans were introduced to the rainbow cookie.
They are a commonkiddushcookie served onShabbatmorning and atsynagoguesacross the country.[9]There are also versions of rainbow cookies made forPassover,which are made withmatzo mealoralmond flour(due to the prohibition of leavening during this holiday).[10]
Jewish Americans adapted this cookie to suit their ownKosherdietary needs, substitutingmargarinefor thebutteroriginally used (making thempareve). Other color variations may include blue and white, instead of the traditional rainbow, to celebrateHanukkah.[11]
Other names
editAlthough often called simplyrainbow cookiesin much of the continental United States, some local names for this specific variety are:
See also
editReferences
edit- ^"Pretty Rainbow Cookie Favors – The Sweet Adventures of Sugar Belle".Sweetsugarbelle.29 February 2012.Retrieved23 January2018.
- ^"Oreo shows gay pride with a rainbow cookie".Articles.baltimoresun.Archivedfrom the original on 2012-09-02.Retrieved23 January2018.
- ^Yard, Sherry, andMartha Rose Shulman.Desserts by the Yard: From Brooklyn to Beverly Hills: Recipes from the Sweetest Life Ever.Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2007. pg.15
- ^ab""Rainbow Cookies"".Lidia.Retrieved20 April2021.
- ^""Get to Know the Rainbow Cookie, an Italian Delicacy That's Tough to Find in D.C"".Eater.23 November 2016.Retrieved20 April2021.
- ^""A Closer Look at Your Italian Bakery's Cookie Case"".Serious Eats.Retrieved20 April2021.
- ^""The rainbow (cookie) connection"".The Sentinel.Retrieved20 April2021.
- ^"Rainbow Cookies".The Jewish Kitchen.16 May 2018.Retrieved24 October2019.
- ^"How to make Rainbow Cookies".My Jewish Learning.Archived fromthe originalon 8 December 2019.Retrieved24 October2019.
- ^"Passover Rainbow Cookie Recipe".My Jewish Learning.Retrieved24 October2019.[permanent dead link]
- ^"Just Deli Desserts".Moment Magazine.31 May 2016.Retrieved24 October2019.
- ^"Cooking Forum New Message: Message 227: Re: napoleon italian cookies-I HAVE IT!!!".19 October 2004. Archived from the original on 19 October 2004.Retrieved23 January2018.
{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^abChowhound (21 February 2007)."Multi-colored cookies: Do they have a name? - General Discussion - Cookies".Chowhound.chow.Archived fromthe originalon 20 December 2014.Retrieved23 January2018.
- ^ab"A guide to Rainbow Cookies".decheung.November 21, 2006. Archived fromthe originalon 7 September 2008.Retrieved15 January2022.
- ^"Seven-Layer Cookies".Epicurious.1 December 2005.Retrieved23 January2018.
- ^"CakeSpy: Batter Chatter: Interview with Matt and Renato of Baked, Brooklyn NY".Archived fromthe originalon 2009-04-25.Retrieved2009-04-11.
- ^"Venetian Cookies".Goodhousekeeping.25 June 2007.Retrieved23 January2018.