Freedom babka from the Babka Lady Image by Courtesy of Frimet Goldberger

With July 4th approaching, we’ve been pondering the question of how exactly to put a tasty Jewish touch on our Independence Day celebrations. What could we serve that would marry the symbols of America’s freedom with Jewish culinary tradition? The answer came in the form of an iconic Jewish dessert that’s been given a decidedly 4th-of-July spin.

Lo’ and behold, we found a babka — that sweet, soft, chewy loaf swirled with moist swathes of flavor — colored red, white and blue in honor of our American flag.

Using streusel topping (which is already white), The Babka Lady — the New York City-based homemade babka business of Frimet Goldberger — adds red and blue food coloring for an Old Glory appeal.

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Little “babkalach” available at The Babka Lady Image by Courtesy of Frimet Goldberger

Her “Freedom Babka” is available in four flavors: chocolate, chocolate-cheese, cinnamon-chocolate and halva. If you don’t need a whole babka, the Babka Lady also offers “babkalach,” mini babkas that are also “freedom” colored. The babkalach come in two flavors: chocolate and cinnamon. If you live in the Tri-state area, order by Thursday morning to have your red-white-and-blue babka delivered to your door in time for your July 4th shindig (or to have one put aside for pickup).

Michelle Honig is the food intern of the Forward. Find her on Instagram and Twitter.

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