Sweet Noodle Kugel with Jam Pokes

INGREDIENTS (Serves 6-8)

8 oz extra-wide egg noodles

3 large eggs

1/3 cup sugar

1/2 cup melted butter (1 stick / 113 grams)

8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, room temperature

16 oz (453 g) cottage cheese

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 cup golden raisins

cinnamon, for topping

5 tbsp blueberry jam

5 tbsp apricot jam

PREPARATION

1. Preheat oven to 350F/175C

2. Boil egg noodles in salted water for 5-7 mins until al-dente. Strain.

3. Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, add the eggs and sugar. Mix well then add the melted butter, cream cheese, cottage cheese, vanilla extract and golden raisins. Mix and mash with a fork until all the pieces are broken up.

4. In 8×8 inch non-stick (or greased) baking dish, add the strained egg noodles and the egg mixture. Mix carefully with a spatula without breaking the noodles. It should be very liquidy.

5. Now we do the ‘pokes’. Take a spoon a make a little hole in the kugel. With another spoon, drip about a tablespoon of blueberry or apricot jam into the hole! Repeat about 9 times or until you think the kugel has enough jam. This is a top-secret kugel trick!

6. Dust the top with cinnamon (just a thin layer). On a low oven rack, bake for 40 mins or until the edges are crispy to your liking.