Court Pastry Shop

Archaeologists believe that bread was being baked by the ancient Egyptians as early as 2600 BC, who, in all likelihood, learned the skill from the Babylonians. There are actually reliefs and other paintings that represent the royal bakery.

Pita bread is a classic flatbread -- a bread made without a leavening agent. The opening in the middle is created by escaping steam produced during the cooking process. To create this burst of steam, pita dough is cooked at very high temperature.

Did you know that the oldest fruitcake recipe is from ancient Rome? This centuries-old fruitcake was made with a barley mash mixed with pine nuts, raisins, and pomegranate seeds. Modern day fruitcakes made with honey, fruit, and spices originated during the Medieval Period.

Did you know that puff pastries do not contain yeast? Instead, these delectable pastries are made from a rich buttery flour. The pastries rise in the oven when the butter begins to melt – which creates the steam needed for the “puff” part of the pastry.

Cereal grains are vital to the establishment of civilization. Yeast is rather pervasive and found its way into uncooked dough leavening it naturally. The high amounts of calories could support whole societies and allow for differing cultures to emerge.

The groom loves chocolate, and the bride wants classic vanilla. Head off the first marital fight by compromising on a cupcake tower with half vanilla and half chocolate cupcakes. Just don’t keep track of which gets eaten first.

There's an old adage that a slice of bread in a baby's cradle will ward off disease. It's interesting that, long after this tradition became established, the forerunner of modern penicillin was discovered in a slice of moldy bread.

New Orleans, a city with strong French ties, has kept strong the tradition of king cake. King cake was popularized in medieval times in France as part of the celebration of the 12 days of Christmas and the Epiphany.

The main ingredient in any bread is flour, which is made up of ground cereal grains, seeds, or even roots like cassava. Wheat flour is most commonly used in North American baking. Maize flour is most popular in Mesoamerican baking, and rye flour has a great influence in the baking of Central Europeans.

Did you know that crescent-shaped food breads have been made since the Middle Ages? The modern croissant, however, dates to 19th-century Paris.

Did you know that both coffee and dark chocolate can work as antidepressants by producing certain hormones such as serotonin? If that's not a great excuse for a brownie and a cup of joe, nothing is.

Add an element of surprise to a baby shower with a gender reveal cake. Decorated in neutral icing, cutting into the cake reveals a blue or pink filling that lets your guests know if you’re expecting a boy or a girl!

Did you know that the pound cake originated several centuries ago in England? The name “pound cake” comes from the fact that the original recipe consisted of one pound each of butter, sugar, eggs, and flour. The resulting cake was rich and dense.

Many cake varieties can be moist, but the most gooey, moist, decadent cake around is probably an international favorite from south of the border called "pastel de tres leches." This sponge cake soaked in three different kinds of cream is unforgettably smooth, with the look of a cake and a texture similar to bread pudding.

You probably already know cinnamon is a delicious and relatively common ingredient in lots of desserts, muffins, and breads. It turns out cinnamon may also help lower blood sugar in the human body.

Have you ever heard of a "smash" cake? It's the latest in dessert fare for a toddler's birthday celebration. It's a single-serving cake a youngster can demolish with gusto -- while still leaving the big cake for family and guests.

The ancient Gauls and Iberians made their bread differently than other peoples of the time. They would skim the foam from the top of beer and add it to dough, introducing yeast. Pliny the Elder reportedly made “a lighter kind of bread than other peoples.”

Bread holds different symbolism and meaning for a wide range of religions and belief systems. Bread is significant within Christianity, as it is one of the elements used in the Eucharist, along with wine, and represents the body of Christ.

It is said to be unlucky for a bride to make her own wedding cake. Superstition has it that a woman who makes her own wedding cake is doomed to work hard all her life for little gain.

If you're looking for an indulgent dessert that contains good-for-you ingredients, try berry pie. Berries, especially blueberries, are high in antioxidants. Here are some berry pies you may consider for your next gathering: blackberry, blueberry, boysenberry, cherry, and strawberry.

In 1997, Kansas wheat farmers produced 36.5 billion loaves of bread, which was enough to provide each person on earth with six loaves of bread.

Did you know that, when baked in rounds, shortbread wedges are actually called “petticoat tails?” This name was derived because the wedges resembled the bell hoop petticoats worn by court ladies in the 12th century.

What is the difference between filo pastry dough and puff pastry dough? A puff pastry dough is a rich, buttery dough that is layered with butter or fat, while a filo dough, made with oil, does not taste as rich.

Did you know bakers can make their own yeast? Bakers can grow their own yeast cultures, and use them to make specialty breads; if well-kept, the yeast cultures will grow and provide leavening for years.

Did you know that there is a mathematical formula used to calculate the number of layers in a puff pastry? The formula is l (layers) equals f (the number of folds) plus 1, powered to the number of times the dough has been folded.

Did you know that, in the Middle Ages, the word "baker" referred to the owner of the communal oven that served the baking needs of an entire village? The owner received loaves of bread in return for sharing the precious device.

Celebrating the birthday of a health nut? A carrot cake will please guests with the biggest sweet tooth, while still being a healthier option. Besides, if a cake has carrots, you get to claim it as a vegetable, right?

The popularity of fruitcakes is not solely due to their fantastic taste. Fruitcakes were a convenient type of dessert that kept well before refrigeration was available. The high sugary content of the fruit and honey fillings acts as an effective natural preservative in the cake.

Whenever the weather turns cold and the leaves fall off the trees, do you start craving pumpkin goodies? The pumpkin scone was originally created in 1970s Australia by a woman who went on to be a politician.

Did you know that mail-order fruitcakes began in American in 1913? These fruitcakes contained high amounts of fruit, nuts, and honey, and they were often saturated in brandy to enhance the preservation qualities of the cake.

Cupcakes are trendy desserts, and no cupcake variety sparks as much loyalty -- and lust -- as the red velvet cupcake. A light chocolate confection with a rich, but delicate flavor, red velvet cupcakes are more than colorful morsels with a Southern pedigree; they're delectable desserts.

The original bakers of bread were in ancient Egypt around 7000 B.C. Different kinds of flour and cereals were used to bake bread, which led to a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and density in the loaves they made.

Court Pastry Shop in Brooklyn - Download Facebook Videos The Court Pastry Shop is a classic Sicilian bakery that’s become something of a landmark in its Brooklyn neighborhood. Read more about this historic bakery: http://littlethings.us/Ey5fwC