Tasty Traditions
But First, Brunch!
Everyone’s favorite mid-morning meal, brunch blends the best of sweet and savory flavors while also offering a leisurely, social occasion designed to bring friends and family together for conversation, connection, and celebration. Here, a local woman shares her favorite brunch dish – and the accompanying traditions that make it all the more special.
By Ali Lemmons
Sarah Chirlin Vaks with her family, Daniel and Aliyah
Sarah Chirlin Vaks’ Mom-Mom’s Schnecken
“This recipe helps me feel like my Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop are here, sitting with me around my kitchen table, kibitzing over schnecken.”
A treasured family recipe dating back to the 1920s, schnecken are sweet German sticky buns, similar to cinnamon rolls. For the past three years, Sarah Chirlin Vaks has been carrying on the tradition in her own kitchen. “My great-grandmother, Annette Price, taught my Mom-Mom when she was a little girl. Although my Mom-Mom was not the best cook, she did excel at the few recipes she knew,” says Chirlin Vaks. “My dad remembers a stockpile of schnecken in the freezer, as it was their go-to recipe for many years.” Now, Chirlin Vaks keeps the recipe on deck for holidays, large gatherings, and gifting to friends and family, just as her Mom-Mom did before her. “Sitting around a spread of schnecken, I think of my Dad doing the same thing as a kid, as well as my Mom-Mom when she was young,” adds Chirlin Vaks. “Now that I have a young daughter, I look forward to sharing this tradition with her!” For Chirlin Vaks, brunch offers a chance to slow down and spend quality time with her loved ones. “Pairing this time with a family recipe makes that moment extra special and invites an added dose of love to the mix,” she finishes.
