The contributed photos are images of Baking Challenge winner Judy Sabino, her winning dessert and the Baked into Bethlehem Baking Challenge Finals. Photo credit is Jackie Armao/Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites.

Judy Sabino Wows Judges and Audience with Italian Crostata Passed Down Over Four Generations

BETHLEHEM, PA—Judy Sabino’s Italian Crostata is a treasured dessert that has been in her family for generations. This past weekend, the Coopersburg resident shared how the recipe has been passed down from her Nonna to her Aunt Sandra — who, at age 92, still makes the dessert for the family — to all of Sandra’s daughters and other family members. The heartfelt story, and the delicious dessert that accompanied it, earned Sabino first place in the inaugural Baked into Bethlehem Baking Challenge finals at the Luckenbach Mill in Bethlehem on May 30.

“When I mentioned to Aunt Sandra that we were going to bake this for the contest, she enthusiastically offered to coach me. So, I traveled up to Scranton and we baked it in her kitchen. It is an afternoon I won’t forget, and I was delighted to share it with my 1-year-old granddaughter as well, so the tradition continues,” said Sabino of the cherished family dessert, which for this event was filled with apple butter from Pappy’s Orchard & Bakery in Coopersburg.

The Baking Challenge was presented by Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites as part of its Baked into Bethlehem exhibition, on display at the Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts and the Moravian Museum of Bethlehem. Anyone who wants to experience the lasting impact baking has had on the city and region is invited to visit the exhibition, which is open through July 26. Special presentations and exhibition tours with Richard Groman Jr. of Groman’s Bakery are also being offered on June 20 and July 25. Tickets for the exhibition and presentations are both on sale now at historicbethlehem.org or by calling 610-691-6055.

As the winner of the Baked into Bethlehem Baking Challenge, Sabino took home a Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites and King Authur Baking Co. prize package. In addition, she is invited to next year’s Baking Challenge to defend her crown. The 2027 Baked into Bethlehem Baking Challenge will kick off with a preliminary round at Historic Bethlehem Community Heritage Day on April 17, 2027.

Capturing second place in the contest was Ryan Lichty of Bethlehem for his Chocolate Cake with Macarons and Croquembouche. Taking third-place honors were Michele Bernardich of Whitehall, who presented a Croatian Trogir Rafioli, and Hannah Hoch of Nazareth, for her peach cake.

More than 50 people attended the Baked into Bethlehem Baking Challenge finals May 30, with 10 bakers from throughout the region showcasing their showstopper desserts before a judging panel and audience. All desserts were evaluated by a panel of local baking professionals that included Richard Groman Jr. of the Groman’s Bakery family and Bethany Carrigan from King Arthur Baking Co. Attendees were also invited to sample all desserts.

“The Baked into Bethlehem Baking Challenge was a delightful event,” Sabino said. “Everyone’s desserts were showstoppers. I really enjoyed hearing the participants’ heartfelt stories about their desserts, and every item was truly delicious.”

Information provided to TVL by:
Mark Demko