In a year as heavy as this one, it’s a relief to indulge in the traditions that raised me. Since it’s Rosh Hashanah, aka. the Jewish New Year, there are more than usual from which to derive comfort. From dipping apples in honey in the hopes of a sweet new year to eating round challah in celebration of the circle of life, there’s little doubt in my mind that I’ll be physically and emotionally full by the end of the day. But even with all of these tasty treats, my favorite way to observe the holiday is by eating my way through the box of dough-wrapped, jam-stuffed, twice-baked apricot strudel that my mom ships me every year. 

The recipe is a labor of love. It comes by way of my maternal great-grandmother who, no doubt, spent hours rolling the dough into paper-thin circles just like my mom does now. A similar effect could be achieved from store-bought phyllo, but my mom isn’t one to take a shortcut and insists on stretching out sheet after sheet of homemade strudel dough using only her favorite French rolling pin, which is now just $9 at Amazon. 

Aisoso 17.7-Inch French Rolling Pin 

Her recommendation comes after years of experimenting with other styles. She originally used one with handles and another with tapered ends, but neither was wide enough nor sturdy enough for her needs. It wasn’t until a few Rosh Hashanahs ago that she went on Amazon to buy the simplest, longest rolling pin she could find. The rest, as the saying goes, is history. 

The Aisoso model she landed on is made of 17.7 inches of polished wood. As with other wooden kitchen tools, it’s hand wash-only, but my mom reports that a damp cloth is all it takes to wipe it clean even after hours of use. 

Thanks to its polished nonstick surface, solid construction, and length, my mom isn’t the only one who loves this rolling pin. One Amazon customer out of the 1,800 who gave it perfect ratings commented that it’s “beautifully made, lightweight, and a joy to use,” while another wrote that the quality of the piece is an “absolute steal” for the price. 

Whether you’re making strudel for Rosh Hashanah or rolling out laminated pastry for homemade croissants, a sturdy rolling pin is absolutely necessary. Follow my mom’s lead, and that of thousands of Amazon shoppers, and buy this $9 model while it’s on sale for a limited time. 

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Etekcity Food Kitchen Scale 

OXO Good Grips 3-Piece Angled Measuring Cup Set 

Hudson Essentials Stainless Steel Measuring Cups Set 

At the time of publishing, the price was $9.