fran & rosie's
selection
Eastern & Central European Specialties
Yeast Dough Sweets
Classic Bohemian Kolaches - Posvícenské koláče
The iconic kolaches. Made with butter and egg yolk based yeast dough and a variety of classic fillings of poppy seed, plum, apple and pear butter, ground spiced walnuts, dried and seasonal fruits. Typically between 3 and 6 inches in diameter.
Old Country Wedding Kolachky - Českomoravské svatební koláčky
Traditional two-bite kolachky made with extra rich, buttery dough and classic fillings of poppy seed, plum, apple and pear butter, spiced walnut, and dried and fresh fruit. Open to flavor ideas.
Minimum two dozen.
Western Bohemian Wedding Kolaches - Chodské svatebni koláče
A version of the traditional kolach that eats like a pizza. It is made with rich egg and butter dough, and can have traditional fillings as well as different fruits. Typically 16" in diameter.
The Fisherman Restaurant
Icon Design
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Charlotte Ballet
Art Direction & Photography
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Holiday Travel Agency
Video Art
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The North Wood Factory
Poster Design
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Yoolica Fashion
Art Direction & Production
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Moravian Wallachian "Fergahles" - Valašské frgále
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SELECTION
Czech, Moravian, and Slovak Kolaches and Buns
Classic Bohemian Kolaches - Posvícenské koláče
The iconic type of kolaches. Made with butter and egg yolk based yeasted dough and various classic fillings like poppy seed, homemade plum, apple and pear butter, ground spiced nuts, dried and fresh fruits. Usually between 3 and 6 inches in diameter.
Traditional two-bite kolachky made with extra rich, buttery dough and classic fillings of poppy seed, prune, apple and pear butter, spiced walnut, and dried and fresh fruit. Addictive!
Old Country Wedding Kolachky - Česko-moravsko-slovenské svatební koláčky
Signature:
Western Bohemian Wedding Kolaches - Chodské svatební koláče
Various versions of the traditional patterned kolaches that eat like a pizza. Made with rich egg and butter dough and the usual classic fillings, but can also have different fruits. Typically 16" in diameter.
Moravian Two Layer Kolachky - Moravské dvojctihodné koláčky
Two kinds of fillings are combined to create these famous old time treats; one is wrapped in the dough while the other goes on top followed by a scoop of almond streusel.
Moravské Frgále -
Moravian "Ferghales"
A true Moravian institution, these tie to the agricultural history of the region combining a thin layer of dough with a thick layer of simple filling. Dough is yeasted, butter and egg yolk based; fillings are traditionally of dried fruit butter such as pear, and always topped with streusel.
Seasonal fruits also make for a great filling; most popular are the Fall varieties. Ripe prunes or plums in combination with ground poppy seeds, for example, are famously delicious.
Made from butter and egg yolk based dough with some avocado or olive oil for added benefits. Fillings can be traditional such as poppy seed, prune, apple or pear butter, ground nuts, or others.
Czech Traditional Filled Sweet Buns - Tradiční české buchty
Layered Butter Dough Pocket Kolaches - Šátečkové koláče z plundrového těsta
This is a country version of pâte levée feuilletée, a.k.a. croissant pastry, with slightly denser and creamier texture. The yeasted dough is layered with butter, then filled and tied up into 'little scarves'. Works well with different fruits, jams, or any of the usual choices of poppy seeds, Fall fruit butters or nuts.
Eastern & Central European Pastry Specialties
Saint Martin's Nut Rolls - Martinské rohlíky
Historically a November St.Martin's Holiday food of which many versions have been known. These have lightly spiced filling of ground walnuts, pecans or poppy seeds enveloped in butter and cream based pastry. Honey almond or pistachio could be another choice.
Hazelnut Macarons - Oříškové Laskonky
A petite version of the Czech pastry shop staple, and a variation on the French almond macaron. Two light and crispy hazelnut meringues are held together with hazelnut praline buttercream. A touch of dark chocolate along with the optional candied orange peel, or with freeze dried raspberry and pistchio for a Christmas version, balance out the sweet.
One of the mainstays of Central European cuisine, and maybe others' too. Simple pasta-like dough is pulled until translucent (this part takes practice!:), brushed with melted butter, filled, rolled and baked. Apples and the usual associated trimmings are the most popular filling but nectarines (especially good), plums, nuts or poppy seeds all work nicely as well.
Classic Pulled Strudel - Tažený závin
Salted Caramel Profiteroles with Peach Gelée - Karamelové větrníčky s broskvovým želé
This is a mini version of the all time Czech favorite (nope, salted caramel isn't just a recent fad). Small cream puff shells are filled with salted caramel buttercream, along with some homemade peach gelée to balance out the richness. Sliced almonds add crunch if desired. Other flavors can also be done.
Signature:
Petit Fours - Dortíčky
Small and square layer cake slices similar to those made in Viennese style and served in Prague's 'cukrárna' cake shops. Quite a few flavor combinations can happen such as vanilla chocolate, hazelnut rum, vanilla strawberry, almond pomegranate, or green tea and passion fruit. These can also be made just a little bigger than a cake pop for a tea time sweets platter, dessert buffet or a party .
American Favorites
Signature:
These familiar treats offer countless opportunities for creativity in tastes and looks. Simple or elaborate, filled or unfilled, basic or unexpected, with a theme or a specific cuisine in mind - all ideas and inspirations are more than welcome!
We use no artificial colors or decorations unless requested.
Cupcakes - Cupcakes
Cupcakes - Cupcakes
Cake Pops
Fun little things that work well at parties, weddings, or as a gift.
They can be made in different flavor combinations and in a couple of different ways with more or less frosting involved. All colors, flavors and decorations are natural.
Hand Pies
Ours range in size from mini, featuring butter, cream and egg yolk dough, to classic with a more traditional pie dough.
Can be filled with a variety of fruits, including some less predictable combinations such as grape and rosemary or onion jam and cured olives.
Brownies
Never had thought of myself as a brownie connoisseur but truth be told, every time I crave and try one somewhere, it is too sweet and altogether disappointing. Hence I decided to take matters into my own hands; nuts, no nuts, sour cherries, chocolate chunks, candied oranges, cayenne and cinnamon, grain-free, rum or Guinness... whatever suits your fancy. Cocoa, eggs, butter, nature's flavors, and only half the sugar for an unmasked chocolate flavor.
Cookies
Variations on an old recipe that hails from the Austrian town of Linz. Traditionally made with the addition of ground almonds or hazelnuts but can easily be left nut free. Ours are filled with the 'faux red currant' (pomegranate based), real red currant, raspberry, sour cherry or apricot jam. A salted (or unsalted) chocolate version with dulce de leche filling is another delicious idea.
Linzer cutouts
Chocolate & Nut Creme Cookies Išlské dortíčky
Created somewhere between the late 18th and early 19th centuries by Austrian pastry chefs in a spa town called Bad Ischl, and loved by the emperor kaiser Franz Josef I., these are an all time Christmas favorite back home. Larger versions made with hazelnuts were also sold by Prague's sweet shops year round. They can be made with any type of nuts, in sizes between 1.5 and 2.5 inches.
Filled with flavored buttercream and a touch of apricot jam.
Almond Orange Lace Cookies
Pomerančové florentýnky
This is a light and crispy cookie that combines two of California's crops, almonds and oranges. Can be made entirely gluten free if desired, or with the addition of chocolate or buttercream filling for a dessert version.
Many varieties can be created; a specific menu will be added over time. For the time being if you'd like to order these, please feel free to share your ideas and favorite ingredients with us.
Drop cookies are made from all natural stuff with no effort spared in developing enticing flavors and textures.
Drop Cookies
Celebration Baking
Weddings
Wedding orders are a great responsibility but I get quite excited getting them nevertheless. What a special feeling to be part of someone's big, romantic day! We can make a variety of treats such as kolachky, kolaches, cupcakes, petit fours, cake pops or cookies.
I can also make the cake, up to a certain size with Italian buttercream finish.
Pictured is a two tier 'naked' cake with gold detail, in hazelnut rum apricot and chocolate vanilla raspberry flavors.
Birthdays
This is an opportunity for some fun and festive personalized baking and creative decorating. There may be a cake for the forest mushroom enthusiast, or for the little Swan Lake star. Cupcakes can get the party started with Mexican style flavors like spiced chocolate, chili mango lime, or caramel and corn. There is probably nothing on our list that could not be customized to fit a birthday girl or boy's taste.
Holidays
Signature:
Christmas
Christmas provides a great time (and excuse) for making and sharing treats. Besides the classic Central European cookie varieties such as vanilla crescents, Linzer stars, filled walnuts, or Mozart kugeln, I think up new ones every year to keep flavors local, fresh and surprising. There is also the decorated gingerbread, Christmas bread as an denser cousin to the panettone, apples in a robe, pulled strudel, or the filled morning croissants.
Valentine's Day
Strawberry marshmallows dipped in chocolate, cookies, cupcakes, heart shaped mini cakes, cake pops, chocolate truffles, rosewater truffles, or whatever else might make the day even sweeter!
Easter
Hot cross buns, Easter bread, or carrot cupcakes. Also some fun and festive chick, bunny, egg or flower shaped sugar cookies, or mini lemon hand pies.
Pictured is the 'Springtime
California Landscape'
rustic cookie selection.
Special Nutrition Requests
VEGAN Apple Strudel
Egg free yeasted dough is made with avocado oil, then rolled thin and layered with neutral coconut oil. Filled with a generous amount of fresh, sweet and tart apples spiked with cinnamon, candied citrus peel, dried sour cherries and the optional nuts. Other types of fillings such as plum and poppy seed are also wonderful.
Grain Free Hazelnut Macarons
A petite version of the Czech pastry shop staple, and a variation on the French almond macaron. Two light and crispy hazelnut meringues are held together with hazelnut praline buttercream. A touch of dark chocolate (along with the optional freeze dried raspberry and pistachio for a Christmas version) balances out the sweet.
VEGAN cookies
Pignoli, peanut butter, chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, Linzer, green tea, gingerbread and more. We use avocado oil, coconut oil or quality vegan butter, and a variety of other flavorful ingredients; also can make vegan royal icing if desired.
Pictured is a December wedding selection.
Signature:
Vegan Cakes and Cupcakes
Vanilla, chocolate, hazelnut, spiced pumpkin, carrot or other, using the famous aquafaba, homemade oat milk, and coconut cream. To be sure, vegan 'Elvis' cupcakes do exist! They combine banana corpus with PB frosting and caramelized banana topping :)
Grain Free, Nut Free, or Vegan Treats
A variety of treats made using ingredients such as sweet potatoes, nuts or seeds, and fruits.
Pictured are ube rosewater balls, cranberry marshmallows, and faux almond wine cork prints.
Work in Progress
We will be updating, enriching, and detailing our selection as time goes on. There are so many cuisines in the world to draw from, and so many of your ideas by which to be inspired! If you don't see what you want, please ask about it.
More stories about the origins of different things we make, along with descriptions of regional customs and other curiosities are to be featured in the coming months.
Some current ideas are to offer a savory line including breads, as well as some specialties from different regions of the Italian countryside whose down to earth, resourceful, and skilled ways have long been intriguing to me.
I am also getting ready to add a blog chronicling new baking projects and other interesting events or stories related to the business.
And this time around, I promise to not just plan on it but to actually start it, write it, and publish it.
Soon!
xo
Martina
LET'S TALK
text or call & voice message -
510.717.2236
Concord, California
Contra Costa County Cottage Food Operation Lic.# 75190
Please contact me with your ordering plans so I can listen and help figure out details and prices.
Also feel free to write or call just to discuss ideas and ask questions; no obligation at all, it will be a pleasure to hear from you.
Deliveries are within a reasonable distance around SF Bay Area. There might be ordering minimums related to driving time. We are located in East Contra Costa County.
FORMS OF PAYMENT: Cash is preferred. If you'd rather opt for the electronic way, PayPal, Venmo, Zelle or checks can be accepted. Sorry, but NO CARDS at this time.