Traditional Armenian Christmas desserts to make this holiday season

By Natalie Ayvazian

Traditional desserts are one of the best ways to celebrate the holidays. Here are three must-try Armenian desserts that you and your family can make and enjoy this Christmas.

Nazook (Armenian pastry)

Ingredients:

Dough

• 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour 
• 1/4 teaspoon active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 4 tablespoons softened butter
• 2 tablespoons water

Filling

• 3/4 cup sifted all-purpose flour 
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 6 tablespoons softened butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup ground walnuts
• 1 egg yolk

Instructions:

1. To make the dough, pour the flour into a medium bowl. Activate the yeast by adding warm water and mixing it into the flour. In the same bowl, add sour cream and the softened butter.
2. Knead the mixture with your hands until a dough forms.
3. Place the dough in another clean bowl and cover the bowl with a plastic wrap. Refrigerate for about four hours or overnight.
4. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
5. To make the filling, combine the sifted flour, sugar and butter in a medium bowl. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to mix it. 
6. Add vanilla extract and walnuts and mix until the mixture feels clumpy.
7. Take the dough from the refrigerator and cut it into half. Roll out half of the dough into a one-half inch thin isosceles triangle and place it on a lightly floured surface.
8. Spread half of the filling over the dough to as close as possible to the edges on the short side and one-half to one inch away from the edge of the dough on the long sides.
9. From the long side of the dough, slowly and gently begin rolling the dough up. Then, flatten the dough and brush it with the egg wash. Cut the dough into 10 equal pieces.
10. Place the dough pieces on an ungreased baking sheet. 
11. Bake for 30 minutes or until the surface is golden brown. Allow it to cool before enjoying it. 

This recipe will take around 50 minutes to make.

Anushabur (Armenian pudding)

Ingredients:

• 1 lb hulled wheat berries
• 8 oz white granulated sugar 
• 1 cup each of dried apricots, golden raisins, walnuts and blanched almonds
• 1 cup pomegranate arils

Instructions:

1. The day before starting, soak the wheat berries in water.
2. The next day, drain the water and add another cup of water along with the berries into a pot. Allow the water to simmer over low heat.
3. Add the sugar, nuts and dried fruits.
4. Allow the water to simmer for a few more minutes before turning off the heat and allowing it to cool. Pour the dessert into another bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. Place it in the fridge until it is time to serve. 
5. Serve with additional fruits, nuts and pomegranate adornments. 

This recipe will take around two hours to make.

Armenian Nutmeg Cake

Ingredients:

• 1 cup milk
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 cups flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 2 cups brown sugar
• ¾ cup unsalted butter (cubed)
• 1 ½ tsp ground nutmeg 
• 1 egg
• ½ cup chopped walnut pieces

 Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Mix together the milk and baking soda in a small bowl and set aside. 
3. Whisk together the flour and baking powder in a separate large bowl.
4. Pour in the brown sugar into the flour mixture and mix until they are combined.
5. Using a fork, squash the cold butter until you get a crumbly mixture. 
6. Press half of the mixture into the bottom of a springform pan to form a crust and set aside.
7. Whisk together an egg and nutmeg until it has a foaming consistency in a medium bowl.
8. Pour the mixture with the milk and the baking soda into the bowl containing the eggs. Whisk until combined.
9. Pour this egg mixture over the remaining half of the crumbly mixture into the bowl. Whisk until it has a liquid consistency. 
10. Pour the mixture over the crust in the springform pan.
11. Sprinkle walnut pieces on top.
12. Bake for 55 minutes or until the surface of the cake is golden brown.
13. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, release and enjoy! 

This recipe will take around one hour and five minutes to make.