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Matzo Brei, made from broken matzo pieces fried in butter with egg, is a common Passover breakfast, and if you like it decadent I have you covered with this recipe. This sweet version adds cream cheese and apple cinnamon-flavored Charoset for a delicious treat!
During Passover, I like to switch up breakfast with different ways to eat matzo. Some days it’s smoked salmon with cream cheese and dill on matzo. Other days it’s scrambled egg and avocado matzo toast.
I really look forward to sweet Matzo Brei! Charoset is a great addition because it has a sweet apple cinnamon flavor profile and paired with cream cheese, it reminds me of a cheese pastry. I like to keep a batch of Charoset in my fridge during Passover because it’s easy to make and great for snacking or making this dish. However, if you don’t have it on hand and don’t feel like whipping some up, you can use applesauce and cinnamon in this recipe instead.
Cream cheese adds rich flavor and silky texture here, and is a lovely flavor complement to the cinnamon apple pairing. It only takes a couple minutes to brown butter, and it adds a delicious toasted-nut flavor element to the dish. The end result tastes surprisingly similar to an apple cheese pastry!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- If you’re looking for new ways to eat matzo during Passover, this is a good way to switch up your routine.
- The combination of cream cheese and apple cinnamon Charoset makes this taste like a pastry – yum!
- This recipe makes just one serving, which is perfect because like most egg dishes it doesn’t keep well and you won’t be stuck with leftovers! On the other hand, it’s easy to scale up if you have a crowd to feed.
- In about 10 minutes you’ll be sitting down to an absolutely delicious meal. Don’t wait until Passover to make this, it’s a great breakfast anytime!
The Best Sweet Matzo Brei Recipe Ingredients and Substitutions
- Unsalted butter – I love the toasted nutty flavor with notes of caramel that brown butter lends here. However, you can just melt the butter instead of browning it if you prefer.
- Matzo – This is unleavened bread that’s eaten during Passover. If you have matzah left after passover, this recipe is a great way to use it!
- Water – We use a little water to moisten the dry matzo.
- Egg – Egg adds protein and acts as a binder here.
- Salt – Salt enhances the flavor of everything else. You can omit the salt if you use salted butter instead of unsalted butter.
- Cream Cheese – Cream cheese adds rich, creamy, decadent flavor and texture here; it helps make this easy breakfast taste like a Danish cheese pastry!
- Charoset – Charoset is one of my favorite traditional Passover foods. My version is a mix of apple, apricot preserves, nuts, and cinnamon.
Instructions
Step 1: Soften the Matzah
Break up the matzo into bite-sized pieces. Put it in a bowl and drizzle the water on top. If it quickly absorbs all the water, add a little more. Let it soak for 30 seconds, and then drain off the water.
Step 2: Fry It
- Add the butter to a small skillet over medium to medium-low heat. Cook until the butter is melted, and then continue cooking until the butter starts to turn light golden brown and smells nutty. This will take less than 5 minutes.
- Add the matzo to the browned butter and let it cook without stirring for 20 seconds.
- Give it a quick stir, and then add the egg and salt.
- Cook until the egg is set, about 1 to 2 minutes, folding the cooked egg over so the uncooked part is touching the skillet.
That’s how you make a basic version of Matzo Brei! You can eat it as-is, or add savory ingredients like chives, dill, smoked salmon, etc. If you want the sweet version, continue on.
Step 3: Make it Sweet
For the sweet version, dollop in the cream cheese and let it cook for 20 seconds. Turn off the heat and top with the Charoset. Dig in!
Tips
- Like most egg dishes, Matzo Brei is best enjoyed fresh right after you make it.
- If you don’t have Charoset on hand, use sweetened applesauce and a sprinkle of cinnamon instead.
- This recipe conveniently makes one serving, but is easy to scale up if you’re feeding multiple people!
- To make savory Matzo Brei, you can simply omit the Charoset and eat it as-is! Or add savory ingredients like chives, dill, smoked salmon, etc.
Matzo Brei Recipe FAQs
What is Matzo?
Matzo is an unleavened bread made of flour and water that’s baked quickly before it has the chance to rise. Matzo is eaten during the Jewish celebration of Passover.
How Do You Pronounce Matzo Brei?
Matzo is pronounced MAHT-ZAH and brei is pronounced BRY (it rhymes with “fry”).
What Does Brei Mean in Yiddish?
Brei means “fry”. The name for this dish comes from the fact that matzo is fried in butter.
How Can I Make Savory Matzo Brei?
If you prefer a savory or salty Matzo Brei rather than a sweet version, it’s an easy swap!
Omit the Charoset in this recipe. You can leave the cream cheese if you like, or use sour cream instead.
Top with caramelized onion or fresh minced chives, and a sprinkle of cracked black pepper!
More Ways to Use Matzo
- Matzo Tiramisu
- Charoset (matzo makes a great scoop!)
- Matzah Pizza
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Sweet Matzo Brei Recipe with Cinnamon Apple Charoset and Cream Cheese
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Ingredients
Instructions
- Add the butter to a small skillet over medium to medium-low heat. Cook until the butter is melted, and then continue cooking until the butter starts to turn light golden brown and smells nutty. This will take less than 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, break up the matzo into bite-sized pieces. Put it in a bowl and drizzle the water on top. If it quickly absorbs all the water, add a little more. Let it soak for 30 seconds, and then drain off the water.
- Add the matzo to the browned butter and let it cook without stirring for 20 seconds. Give it a quick stir, and then add the egg and salt. Cook until the egg is set, about 1 to 2 minutes, folding the cooked egg over so the uncooked part is touching the skillet.
- Dollop in the cream cheese and let it cook for 20 seconds. Turn off the heat and top with the Charoset.
- Serve warm.
Notes
- Best Served Immediately: Like most egg dishes, this is best enjoyed fresh right after you make it.
- Charoset Substitute: If you don’t have Charoset on hand, use sweetened applesauce and a sprinkle of cinnamon instead.
- Single Serving: This recipe conveniently makes one serving, but it’s easy to scale up if you’re feeding multiple people!
- Savory Matzo Brei: You can simply omit the Charoset and eat it as-is, or add savory ingredients like chives, dill, smoked salmon, etc.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximate.
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I’m the writer, recipe developer, photographer, and food stylist behind this blog. I love finding the human connection through something we all do every day: eat! Food is a common ground that we can all relate to, and our tables tell a story. It’s my goal to inspire you to get in the kitchen, try something new, and find a favorite you didn’t know you had.
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