Looking for the best Mandel Bread in NYC? Just in time for Passover, Sarah Parkes of Sparkes Kitchen is giving this traditional Jewish staple a modern, decadent “facelift” that will change everything you thought you knew about this twice-baked treat. Forget the “dry and chalky” reputations of the past. From a tiny studio kitchen in Midtown Manhattan, Sarah is proving that the best recipes are the ones that honor our heritage while making room for everyone at the table.
✨ Meet Sarah Parkes: Rebranding Classic Mandel Bread for Modern Tastes
Mandel bread is often the quiet background character of Jewish desserts, but Sarah Parkes is ready to give it the spotlight it deserves. Sparkes Kitchen is her love letter to her family heritage, born from memories of watching her mother bake this Eastern European staple every Friday for Shabbat.
Turning an almond-based, biscotti-like cookie into a symbol of nostalgia, Sarah is now reaching a new generation of food lovers. By dipping her loaves in sprinkles, nuts, and chocolate, she’s created a fun, accessible, and high-quality handmade snack made with love.
Not Your Mama’s Mandel Bread
“It’s a love letter to my family. Every Friday for Shabbat, my mom would be in the kitchen baking. The smell of that almond and sugar… it’s the smell of home, but now I’m sharing that home with everyone else.”
Whether you’re celebrating a holiday or just seeking a sophisticated sweet, Sarah’s “not your mama’s mandel bread” hits the spot. Everything is crafted from scratch and made with tons of love, we’re talking:
- Hand-pureed sweet potatoes
- House-made coconut caramel
- Signature Lemon Poppy & Apple Crumb flavors
The result? A texture that is perfectly crispy on the outside and surprisingly soft on the inside.
A Mission Baked from the Heart
While the crunch is undeniable, the true magic of Sparkes Kitchen is its deeper purpose. Inspired by her connection to the disability community and her cousin with autism, Sarah founded her business to tackle a staggering reality: nearly 80% of people with disabilities are currently unemployed.
Sarah’s journey as a home artisan processor is a testament to the power of inclusion. Every batch sold supports baking classes for kids and contributes to nonprofits, proving that artisan food can nourish the soul as much as the palate.
🎥 Go Behind the Scenes (Video Chapters):
0:00 – Is this NYC’s Best Kept Dessert Secret?
1:35 – A Peek Inside a Tiny Manhattan Studio Kitchen
3:00 – The Shabbat Connection: A Family Legacy
5:15 – Baking with a Mission: Disability Employment
8:30 – How to Support Sparkes Kitchen
More Stories to Crave
If you loved Sarah’s mission-driven hustle, check out this story about the human spirit in food: The Art of Small-Batch Magic.
📍 Visit & Support Sparkes Kitchen
Support a local NYC maker and grab a box for your next gathering!
- Order Online: Sparkes Kitchen Official Site
- Follow the Journey: @sparkeskitchen
Thanks for watching food. curated.! Join our community potluck and meet more amazing food makers.
What’s your favorite Jewish dessert memory? Do you like your mandel bread traditional or with a modern twist? Drop a comment below and let’s talk food! 💜
xx Skeeter
Loved the show.