10+ Hanukkah Dessert Recipes to Delight Your Celebration

Hanukkah is a time for celebration, family, and delicious food. When it comes to desserts, many traditional and modern treats can make this festival even sweeter. You can explore a variety of recipes that bring joy and flavor to your Hanukkah gatherings.

From jelly-filled sufganiyot to rich chocolate babka, these desserts not only honor Jewish traditions but also delight your taste buds. You’ll find inspiration to create unforgettable sweets that everyone will love during the eight nights of Hanukkah.

Rugelach with Apricot

Rugelach with apricot is a delicious treat that you can enjoy during Hanukkah or any time of the year. These cookies are made with a flaky dough rolled around a sweet filling of apricot preserves and nuts.

To start, you’ll need to prepare the dough. It’s important to keep it chilled for the best texture.

Once you roll it out, you can spread a layer of apricot preserves. Then, sprinkle chopped nuts and a touch of cinnamon for added flavor.

After filling the dough, cut it into triangles and roll them up. Place the cookies on a baking sheet and brush them with a beaten egg to give them a nice golden color when baked. Bake at 350°F (175°C) until they’re golden brown and smell amazing.

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup cream cheese
• 1/2 cup apricot preserves
• 1/4 cup chopped nuts
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 egg (for egg wash)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, mix flour, butter, and cream cheese until smooth.
3. Chill the dough for 30 minutes.
4. Roll out the dough and spread apricot preserves evenly.
5. Sprinkle chopped nuts and cinnamon on top.
6. Cut into triangles and roll each piece.
7. Place on a baking sheet and brush with beaten egg.
8. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.

2) Chocolate Babka

Chocolate babka is a rich, sweet bread that is perfect for Hanukkah. Its twisted layers filled with chocolate make it both beautiful and delicious. Many people enjoy making this treat during the holiday season.

To get started, you’ll need to gather a few ingredients. The dough is soft and buttery, providing the perfect base for a tasty chocolate filling. You can also add a touch of cinnamon for extra flavor.

Baking chocolate babka fills your home with a wonderful aroma. When it’s ready, the outside is golden brown, and the inside is soft and gooey. This treat is wonderful for sharing with family and friends.

Ingredients

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 package active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup whole milk (warm, 110°F/43°C)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted)
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix warm milk and yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes.
2. In another bowl, combine flour, sugar, cocoa, and salt.
3. Add melted butter and eggs to the milk mixture, then mix.
4. Combine wet and dry ingredients and knead dough until smooth.
5. Let the dough rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours.
6. Roll out dough, spread chocolate chips, and twist.
7. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30-35 minutes.

Sufganiyot (Jelly Doughnuts)

Sufganiyot are delicious jelly-filled doughnuts that are a must-have during Hanukkah. These treats are deep-fried, making them golden and fluffy on the inside. They are typically filled with sweet jam and dusted with powdered sugar.

To make your own sufganiyot, you’ll need to prepare a yeast dough. After allowing it to rise, roll it out and cut it into circles.

Place a spoonful of your favorite jam on one circle, cover it with another, and pinch the edges to seal.

Fry them in hot oil until they’re crispy and golden brown. A good frying temperature is around 375°F (190°C). Once cooked, let them cool slightly before rolling them in sugar. Enjoy these treats warm for the best flavor!

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 packet instant yeast
• 1/2 cup warm milk (about 110°F or 43°C)
• 1 egg
• 1 cup jam or jelly
• Oil for frying
• Powdered sugar for dusting

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, and yeast.
2. Add warm milk and egg. Mix until dough forms.
3. Knead the dough for about 5-10 minutes.
4. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour.
5. Roll out dough and cut into circles.
6. Place jam on one circle, top with another, and seal edges.
7. Heat oil to 375°F (190°C) in a deep pot.
8. Fry doughnuts until golden brown on both sides.
9. Remove and drain on paper towels, then dust with powdered sugar.

4) Gelt Cookies

Gelt cookies are a fun and festive treat for Hanukkah. They are simple to make and delicious to eat. These cookies combine the sweetness of chocolate gelt with a soft cookie base.

To start, you’ll need basic ingredients like flour, sugar, and baking soda. You can also add chocolate chips for extra flavor.

When baked, these cookies become a delightful mix of chewy and chocolatey goodness.

Once they come out of the oven, place a piece of gelt on top while the cookies are still warm. This makes the gelt melt just a bit, creating a delicious layer of chocolate.

You can serve these cookies on a tray with other Hanukkah treats. They’re sure to be a hit at any celebration!

Ingredients

• 2 cups almond flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)
• Chocolate gelt

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. In a bowl, mix almond flour, baking soda, and salt.
4. Stir in sugar and chocolate chips (if using).
5. Scoop the dough onto the baking sheet.
6. Bake for 10-12 minutes.
7. Place a piece of gelt on each cookie while they are still warm.

5) Honey-Cinnamon Baked Apples

Honey-cinnamon baked apples make a delicious dessert that is warm and comforting. They are simple to prepare and great for sharing with family.

To start, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Core some apples and leave a bit of the bottom intact. This creates a pocket for the tasty filling.

In a bowl, mix brown sugar, cinnamon, raisins, and walnuts. This combination brings out nice flavors.

Stuff each apple with the mixture, pressing gently to fill them well.

Place the apples in a baking dish and drizzle honey over the top. Bake them in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes. They will be ready when they are soft and fragrant.

These baked apples are sweet and can be served with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an extra treat.

Ingredients

• 4 medium apples
• 4 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 4 tablespoons raisins
• 4 tablespoons chopped walnuts
• Honey for drizzling

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Core the apples and leave the bottom intact.
3. In a bowl, mix brown sugar, cinnamon, raisins, and walnuts.
4. Stuff each apple with the mixture.
5. Place the apples in a baking dish and drizzle with honey.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes until soft.

6) Almond Mandel Bread

Almond Mandel Bread is a delightful treat perfect for Hanukkah. These cookies are twice-baked, giving them a crispy texture that pairs well with coffee or tea. You’ll enjoy making them as much as eating them!

To start, gather simple ingredients: flour, sugar, eggs, and, of course, almonds. The almond extract adds a lovely flavor that makes these cookies special.

Baking Mandel Bread is quite straightforward. After mixing the ingredients, shape the dough into logs and bake them once. Then slice the logs and bake again for extra crispness.

These cookies are often a staple at family gatherings and special occasions. Enjoy them fresh or store them in a jar for later.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup sugar
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• ½ cup chopped almonds

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, and baking powder.
3. Add eggs, oil, and almond extract, mixing to form dough.
4. Fold in chopped almonds.
5. Shape into logs and place on a baking sheet.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden.
7. Remove from oven, cool, and slice.
8. Bake the slices for an additional 10-15 minutes until crispy.

7) Apple Fritters with Cinnamon

Apple fritters with cinnamon are a delightful treat, perfect for Hanukkah. These crispy fritters are made with fresh apple slices, coated in a sweet batter, and fried until golden brown. The cinnamon adds a warm spice that makes them even more delicious.

To make these fritters, you mix simple ingredients like flour, sugar, baking powder, and ground cinnamon. You’ll slice your apples and fold them into the batter for a fruity bite in every piece.

Fry the batter in hot oil until it becomes crisp, then dust with powdered sugar for a sweet finish.

Ingredients

• 4 medium apples, cored and sliced
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 egg
• ¼ cup milk
• Oil for frying
• Powdered sugar for dusting

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and cinnamon.
2. In another bowl, whisk the egg and milk together.
3. Mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until combined.
4. Fold in the apple slices.
5. Heat oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C).
6. Drop spoonfuls of batter into the hot oil.
7. Fry for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden.
8. Remove and drain on paper towels. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

8) Chocolate-Dipped Macaroons

Chocolate-dipped macaroons are a delightful treat for Hanukkah. The crunchy coconut combined with smooth chocolate creates a perfect balance of flavors. They are easy to make and sure to impress your guests.

To start, gather your ingredients. You’ll need sweetened flake coconut, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, egg whites, salt, and semi-sweet or dark chocolate. These simple items come together to create a delicious dessert.

For baking, preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).

Mix the coconut with the condensed milk and vanilla in a large bowl. Then, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form and gently fold them into the coconut mixture.

Once formed into mounds, bake until golden brown. Once cooled, dip the bottoms into melted chocolate. Let them set on parchment paper for an easy cleanup.

Ingredients

• Sweetened flake coconut
• Sweetened condensed milk
• Vanilla extract
• Egg whites
• Salt
• Semi-sweet or dark chocolate

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C).
2. Mix coconut, condensed milk, and vanilla in a bowl.
3. Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form.
4. Fold egg whites into the coconut mixture.
5. Form mounds and bake until golden brown.
6. Cool and dip bottoms in melted chocolate.
7. Let chocolate set on parchment paper.

9) Pistachio Baklava

Pistachio baklava is a delicious dessert that adds a sweet touch to your Hanukkah celebrations. This traditional Turkish treat features flaky layers of filo dough filled with rich pistachios. Topped with a sweet syrup, it’s sure to please everyone.

To make pistachio baklava, you will need several ingredients. You’ll use fine pistachios to give it a lovely flavor, along with layers of buttered dough. The syrup, made from sugar and lemon juice, adds the perfect finishing touch.

The preparation may take some time, but the result is well worth it. Each bite provides a delightful mix of textures and tastes, making it a fantastic choice for your festive dessert table.

Ingredients

• 8 cups pistachios, chopped
• 16 ounces phyllo dough
• 1 1/4 cups unsalted butter, melted
• 1 1/3 cups sugar
• 3/4 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Prepare a baking dish by greasing it with butter.
3. Layer phyllo dough in the dish, brushing each layer with melted butter.
4. Spread the chopped pistachios evenly over the dough.
5. Repeat layering with more phyllo and butter.
6. Cut the baklava into squares before baking.
7. Bake for 30-40 minutes until golden brown.
8. In a saucepan, combine sugar, honey, and lemon juice to make the syrup. Simmer for 10 minutes.
9. Pour the hot syrup over the baklava after it cools slightly. Let it soak for a few hours before serving.

10) Cinnamon Sugar Latkes

Cinnamon Sugar Latkes offer a sweet twist on the traditional potato version. These crispy delights are perfect for adding variety to your Hanukkah celebrations.

Instead of potatoes, you use noodles, coated in a rich cinnamon-sugar mixture. This gives them a unique flavor that pairs wonderfully with sweet toppings.

To make them, you need simple ingredients that you might already have at home. They can be served warm or cold, making them a flexible treat for your holiday table.

Ingredients

• Noodles (your choice, about 2 cups)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• Oil for frying

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil water in a medium pot and add a pinch of salt.
2. Cook the noodles for 4 minutes until tender. Drain and cool for 20-30 minutes.
3. In a bowl, mix sugar and cinnamon.
4. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat (around 350°F/175°C).
5. Form small latkes from noodles and fry until golden brown. This should take about 3-4 minutes per side.
6. Once cooked, toss the latkes in the cinnamon-sugar mixture before serving.