Daring to do it: Armenian Desserts

I love desserts.  Really.  I grew up in a house where Thanksgiving was not about turkey.  We did the all-dessert Thanksgiving.  So this month's Daring Baker's challenge was one which sounded really cool.

The Daring Bakers’ April 2012 challenge, hosted by Jason at Daily Candor, were two Armenian standards: nazook and nutmeg cake. Nazook is a layered yeasted dough pastry with a sweet filling, and nutmeg cake is a fragrant, nutty coffee-style cake.

Before this challenge I knew nothing about Armenian food.  Now, while I don't know much, I know that I might have a new favorite kind of dessert!  I was concerned at first, because Passover fell right during this challenge.  Neither of these amazing recipes were ones which would adapt well...  I was confident that I would get one made in time, but not sure about both.
I started with the nutmeg cake.  I had a playdate scheduled for the day before we flew to Florida for Passover.  With extra mouths around, I figured it was the perfect opportunity.  The recipe, as the name gives away, calls for a good deal of nutmeg.  While I like nutmeg, I wasn't sure I liked it a full cake's worth.  So I used some nutmeg and some cinnamon.  I also topped the cake with cinnamon sugar (from my awesomely fun grinder...!) instead of the walnuts called for.  I didn't have walnuts at home, and wasn't about to go get some right before leaving!
The cake smelled amazing as it baked.  Like, so super good that we were all a bit disappointed that we would have to wait for the following day to taste it.  But man was it worth the wait!!  I absolutely loved the bottom "cookie" layer, and the nutmeg and cinnamon made the flavor just so warm.  This is absolutely a cake I will be making again.  And even if you don't consider yourself to be a Daring Baker, please try this.  It is pretty easy, and definitely delicious!




As for the nazook.  I really wanted to make it.  So I did.  The dough came together beautifully.  I used Greek yogurt instead of the sour cream called for in the recipe, but I don't think that made a difference.  It was silky, smooth and easy to work with.  So easy that Little Girl had fun rolling it out.  I made the traditional vanilla filling according to the recipe, but added cinnamon after the first two rolls were done.  I think my filling was a bit too wet, but that might be because I used margarine instead of butter.  Or just because that's the way things go sometimes...!  Either way, the rolls looked nice before going into the oven, so I was pleased.  Coming out of the oven?  Well, they smelled amazing, and the taste was fabulous.  But my rolls kind of exploded during baking.  It was a yeast dough, so rising accounts for some of it.  But wow...!

No matter the explosions, I loved these treats.  This is another keeper recipe.
Jason, thank you so much for introducing me, and all of us, to these Armenian delicacies!  I can honestly say that you opened my eyes to something special, and I am truly grateful!  Please do yourself a favor and check out the amazing creations of my fellow Daring Bakers!

Can't wait to see next month's challenge...  I'll give you a hint - the host is someone you might have heard of before...!  :)