While cooking, listen to this: Growing Up by Bruce Springsteen

It's no surprise that there's science backing nostalgic smells, but if you ask me, nostalgic tastes are just as real. Home Run Inn frozen pizza meant sleepovers at my best friend's house. Minute Maid Frozen Lemonade cups were exclusively eaten at Detroit Pistons games. Of course stuffing was for crisp Michigan Thanksgivings and chocolate chip cookies were for Friday night dinners. But when I think of Rosh Hashanah, my mind immediately goes to my mom's delectable cinnamon noodle kugel.

I don't know what it is about fall that makes it such a magical season (maybe because it means we no longer have to sweat through our work clothes or pay sky-high A/C bills), but by the time Rosh Hashanah rolls around, I'm in full-out fall mode. Granted, yesterday's tropical weather didn't seem very fall-esque, but Monday's apple cider caramels were more like it.

As you may recall from my mom's foolproof banana bread (and if you haven't tried it yet, go go go!), she loves simplicity that doesn't sacrifice taste (I mean, who doesn't?). I can't remember a time when she didn't make noodle kugel - but every year, the Rosh Hashanah feast is complimented by this dish. And, kids, it's as simple as recipes get. Running to a dinner and want to instantly be the most popular person there? Look no further than this recipe - it practically makes itself.

If you're confused about what kugel is, think noodle casserole, but, like twenty-thousand times better. Crunchy on top, sweet and warm on the bottom, this kugel is everything you've been missing in your life. The perfect dish to lose your kugel virginity to.

If you make this bad boy, you have to let us know so I can share it with my mom. Like any mom, she loves sharing her most-beloved recipes - plus, if you bake this while listening to a Springsteen song, you're golden.

And remember, whether or not you celebrate Rosh Hashanah, fall's coming - just in time for a pinch of change a dash of sweetness. Don't forget to embrace the new season/year with open arms and cozy knit sweaters. And lots & lots of new Gateau | Gato recipes, of course. We've got your back.

Shanah Tovah!

xo, Alyssa

NOODLE KUGEL

Yield: 10-12 servings

Cook Time: 1h

Category: Sides, Celebrate

Source: Alyssa's Mama

Ingredients

1 stick of butter

1 bag of egg noodles

5 eggs

½ cup granulated sugar

¾ to 1 cup brown sugar

A few dashes of cinnamon

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Meanwhile, cook the noodles al dente according to package instructions

Prepare the filling: in a large mixing bowl or KitchenAid, combine butter, eggs, white sugar, brown sugar and cinnamon. Once the noodles are cooked, remove from heat and drain. Pour the drained noodles into a 8 x 11 baking pan. Pour in wet mixture and stir well, making sure the noodles are completely coated.

Bake the kugel: bake uncovered for 45-60 minutes, depending on your oven. Either way, check the kugel at the 45 minute mark. Finished kugel should be golden brown on top.

To make this dairy-free: simply replace the butter with margarine or vegan butter.