Sun, 03 May 2026 16:25:13 +0000

Guilty Pleasure or Masterpiece? The Real Story of Batkes You’ve Been Missing When it comes to holiday fare, few dishes spark such a divided opinion as—of course—batkes. For some, batkes are a humble, guilty-pleasure favorite: crispy, seasoned potato pancakes fried to golden perfection, served often alongside rich tablespoons of brandy custard or sour cream. For others, batkes represent the soul of Jewish culinary creativity—an overlooked masterpiece shaped by centuries of tradition, migration, and resilience. So, are batkes merely a guilty pleasure, or do they rise to the level of a true culinary masterpiece? The answer lies somewhere vibrant and complex: batkes are both—a beloved comfort dish and a masterwork of cultural adaptation and flavor. ### The Humble Beginnings: Batkes as a Guilty Pleasure