You probably eat traditional Jewish desserts all the time without even realizing it. Bakery staples like rugelach and babka are actually classic holiday treats that have become popular year round.
Food is a huge part of Jewish culture and family celebrations. I decided to gather 21 of my absolute favorite recipes to save you some time in the kitchen.
1. Easy Halva Recipe
Halva is a dense Israeli candy made primarily from sugar and tahini. The texture reminds me of a super moist fudge that is completely dairy free.
You do not need any condensed milk to get that rich consistency. It sets up very quickly so you need to be prepared.
I recommend having everything measured and ready before you begin.
2. Chocolate-Filled Hamantaschen
You sometimes risk burning good chocolate in cookies but this clever recipe solves that problem. It basically gives you two desserts in a single bite.
You get a buttery sweet shortbread cookie on the outside. The inside delivers an intense pop of chocolate brownie filling.
It is a rich and delicious combination.
3. Tahini Cookies
Tahini is made from ground sesame seeds and usually appears in savory items like hummus. Using it in cookies is an absolute game changer though.
It adds a mild nutty flavor that is amazingly smooth. These cookies are sweet and buttery and very moreish.
You really have to try them to understand how special that savory note tastes.
4. Chocolate Babka
Babka features a yeast dough that gets traditionally braided with a sweet filling. I find the chocolate version dangerously addictive so I try to limit how often I bake it.
It looks stunning and tastes incredible from the very first bite. You should make the dough a night in advance for the best results.
Resting it in the fridge helps you get the perfect rolling consistency the next day.
5. Parve (Adaptable Shabbat Torte)
I love how easy it is to modify this simple recipe. You can have it ready in minutes using whatever fruit is in your kitchen.
I have used everything from peaches and plums to mixed berries. Just be sure to toss frozen fruit in flour and drain it so it does not sink.
6. Dreidel Surprise Cookies
These cookies look super cute on their own and will be a hit at any party. You can make them really special if you have the time to go the extra mile.
Just stack a few cookies together and hide candies inside for a surprise. You could also fill them with messy treats like caramel or Nutella.
Peanut butter and marshmallow Fluff work great too.
7. Jewish Apple Cake
This cake is very typical of the desserts you find in France or Germany. It uses lots of fresh apples for texture and flavor without being overly sweet.
The recipe interestingly calls for oil instead of butter to keep it moist. You also add orange juice to give the crumb a subtle citrus flavor.
8. Hanukkah Gelt (Homemade Golden Chocolate Coins)
This chocolate gold is a very typical gift for Hanukkah. You really need a specific mold if you want to get the designs just right.
Regular circular molds work but they will lack the menorah or star details. I recommend tempering the chocolate so your coins do not melt.
9. Apricot Hamantaschen
These hat shaped cookies are a Purim staple in my home. The buttery shortbread folds up like a tiny package to hold the jam.
It reminds me a bit of a miniature galette. You should stop processing the dough when it looks like large breadcrumbs.
Finish working it gently on the counter until it sticks together.
10. Chocolate-Matzo Layer Cake
Icebox cakes allow you to make something impressive with very little effort. Using matzo makes this recipe kosher and saves you from baking cookies.
The creamy chocolate filling and coffee soaked matzo reminds me of tiramisu. I like to drizzle mine with chocolate ganache and add some Baileys whipped cream.
11. Mandel Bread
These cookies are crispy and act a lot like biscotti. They are perfect for dipping into your morning coffee.
The method involves baking a large flat log until it is nearly cooked. You then slice it and bake it again to get that crunchy finish.
You can easily swap the chocolate chips for nuts or dried fruit.
12. Sufganiyah (Hanukkah Jelly Donut)
Sufganiyot are round jelly donuts that people traditionally serve for Hanukkah. You can make and enjoy them on the same day even though the dough needs to rest twice.
The first rest lasts about two hours and then you roll and cut them. The second rest is crucial for making them big and fluffy.
I suggest tossing the scraps in sugar for instant donut holes.
13. Lekach (Honey Cake)
This sticky sweet cake is a traditional way to celebrate Rosh Hashanah. The flavors mature nicely so it is best to make it in advance.
It tastes quite similar to gingerbread thanks to cloves and cinnamon. Added honey and apple juice give it a delightfully sweet finish.
It is so moist that you do not need a glaze.
14. Rugelach
These little crescent shaped cookies are absolutely to die for. The dough resembles shortbread but uses eggs to make it more pliable.
I must have made enough of these in my lifetime to buy an island. The filling combines cinnamon and brown sugar with raisins and walnuts.
It is slightly nutty and not too sweet.
15. Hanukkah Dreidel Surprise Loaf Cake
I have to admit that this recipe takes a little extra time. You first need to make a blue cake and let it cool completely so you can cut out the shapes.
A cookie cutter helps ensure they are all perfectly sized. You then make a vanilla batter and line the blue dreidels down the middle of the pan.
Cover them with the remaining batter and bake to create the hidden surprise.
16. Molly’s Sweet and Spicy Tzimmes Cake
Fans of carrot cake will absolutely love this lightly spiced dessert. It includes shredded carrot and orange zest along with cinnamon and ginger.
The recipe also calls for apple and sweet potato to maximize the flavor. Sweet potato works just like banana does to make the cake super moist.
You can finish it with cream cheese frosting if you like.
17. Chocolate Challah Bread
Challah is a braided white dough that uses eggs for a richer taste. It makes incredible French toast or sandwiches.
Adding chocolate to the mix makes it incredibly scrumptious. The dough is simple to make even if the braid looks a touch complicated.
It will look fantastic as long as your lines cross over each other.
18. Egg Kichel (Jewish Bow Tie Cookies)
These crackers are so airy and light that people sometimes call them nothings. The recipe calls for a large number of eggs and that is not a typo.
You will definitely need a stand mixer because the dough requires about 20 minutes of work. You finish them by rolling the strips in sugar and giving them a twist.
19. Candy Dreidels
You can make these cute little treats with just four store bought ingredients. The hardest part is simply melting some chocolate.
Pretzels work great as edible sticks but you can use lollipop sticks for something more solid. I personally prefer chocolate dipper dreidels because you can never have enough chocolate.
Hanukkah sprinkles add the perfect finishing touch.
20. Sweet Lokshen Kugel
I once mistook this dish for a savory lasagna at a potluck. This unique Jewish dessert is actually a sweet treat made with soaked raisins.
It uses a blend of sour cream and cottage cheese that acts almost like a cheesecake filling. The result is a custardy consistency similar to bread pudding but held together with pasta.
21. Chocolate Toffee Matzo Crack
It is ridiculous how easy it is to throw this recipe together. You cannot beat the mix of smooth chocolate and salted toffee on a crispy cracker.
Making the caramel is straightforward and requires just brown sugar and butter. You do not even need a thermometer to boil it.
I like using a mix of milk and dark chocolate for contrast.