Sweet Memories: Russia Native Masha Zots Missed the Baked Goods of Her Childhood. So She Brought Them to Charlottesville.
by Charlottesville29
When Russia native Masha Zots moved from NYC to Charlottesville, she found much that she liked. “It has its own unique charm,” said Zots. “The beautiful nature, the more relaxed lifestyle, and the friendly people.” But, there was something missing: the beloved baked goods of her childhood.
Zots’s passion for baking dates back to Russia, learning from her mother and grandmother. When she moved to the United States, her passion grew from exposure to other cultures’ baking traditions. “My best friend is from Poland,” said Zots, “and whenever I visit her, we always bake traditional Polish treats together.”
In New York, there were Russian and Polish bakeries for her to get her fix. In Charlottesville, no such luck. “After moving to Charlottesville, I began to miss my native foods and the baked goods from my childhood,” said Zots. “To satisfy my cravings, I started baking and sharing my creations with my neighbors, who encouraged me to share them at the local market.”
Eastern European Bakes was born. With it, Zots’ goal is “to share authentic baked goods from different European countries, allowing people to experience the rich flavors and traditions of where I’m from and those I’ve come to love.” Her offerings are her personal favorites — “those that bring back cherished memories from my childhood,” said Zots.
Napoleon cake, for one, is something her mother would bake every New Years Day. Eight flaky layers of buttery puff pastry are each filled with a velvety pastry cream.
Her grandmother’s favorite goes one layer more. Medovik is a nine-layered honey cake filled with a smooth blend of sweetened heavy cream, sour cream, and mascarpone.
And, Zots herself is partial to Rum Baba, a raisin-studded hybrid of cake and yeast bread, with a citrus glaze. “A rich, flavorful taste that I absolutely adore,” said Zots.
Eastern European Bakes sets up Saturday mornings at Farmers Market at IX, and accepts special orders by email at easterneuropeanbakes@gmail.com. Follow along on the bakery’s Instagram page.
