The candles have been lit, the dreidel has been spun and the latkes have been devoured. That can only mean one thing: It's time for your favorite traditional Hanukkah desserts!
17 Traditional Hanukkah Desserts That’ll Make You Shout L’Chaim!
Updated on Dec. 10, 2024
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Sufganiyot
Total Time: 40 minutes + risingMain Ingredients: Flour, yeast, canola oil, raspberry preserves
Level: Intermediate
Sufganiyot is the traditional Hanukkah dessert in Israel. These jelly-filled donuts are deep-fried in oil, connecting them to the miracle of the oil lasting eight nights. Powdered sugar gives them a gorgeous appearance and a sweet finish.
“Sufganiyot are believed to have first come from Spain, adapted from a similar treat, the sopaipilla. Others say the sopaipilla was borrowed from the Jews. Either way, as a tradition, these Hanukkah doughnuts are an easy one to adopt, especially with this delicious sufganiyot recipe.” —Recipe contributor David Feder, Buffalo Grove, Illinois
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Chocolate-Stuffed Dreidel Cookies
Total Time: 25 minutes + chilling and coolingMain Ingredients: Butter, sugar, flour, chocolate candy bars
Level: Easy
One of our favorite Hanukkah desserts is fun for the whole family. Kids will love breaking up the candy bars used in this recipe. Have them make the Hebrew letters with icing and give a batch to their Hebrew school teacher. Extra credit!
“These dreidel cookies are sure to spread some smiles this holiday season. Your friends and family will delight in the surprise chocolate filling.” —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Homemade Gelt
Total Time: 10 minutes + chillingMain Ingredients: Canola oil, dark chocolate candy bars, almonds
Level: Easy
This three-ingredient homemade version of traditional Hanukkah gelt (money) is perfect for kids to make together. Our recipe includes chopped nuts for added texture. Grab some mesh bags and ribbon, and show me the gelt!
“Giving chocolate coins to children, and sometimes to teachers, is a long-standing Hanukkah tradition. This homemade version of gelt uses a miniature muffin pan to mold the coins into shape. The sliced almonds add a nice crunch, but the chocolates can be left plain or topped with other ingredients like sprinkles, crushed peppermint candies or finely chopped candied ginger.” —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Hanukkah Cookies
Total Time: 35 minutes + chilling and coolingMain Ingredients: Cream cheese, almond extract, royal icing, sugar
Level: Intermediate
This cookie batter contains butter and cream cheese for a seriously rich cookie. To turn this recipe into a family project, use a gingerbread man cookie cutter and decorate the cookie people to look like loved ones.
“Cream cheese adds richness to these Hanukkah cookies. Decorate them with royal icing or your favorite buttercream frosting and toppings.” —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Rustic Honey Cake
Total Time: 45 minutes + coolingMain Ingredients: Honey, flour, yogurt, vanilla extract
Level: Easy
A version of this cake was probably on your Grandma’s table at every Jewish holiday. Top it with crushed pistachios, fresh seasonal fruits and a drizzle of your favorite type of honey.
“When my boys were young, they couldn’t drink milk but they could have yogurt. This was a cake they could eat. And it’s one dessert that doesn’t taste overly sweet, which is always a nice change of pace.” —Recipe contributor Linda Leuer, Hamel, Minnesota
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Apple Cider Doughnuts
Total Time: 45 minutes + chillingMain Ingredients: Apple cider, whole wheat flour, brown sugar, spices
Level: Intermediate
While not entirely traditional, apple cider doughnuts are cooked in oil, just like sufganiyot. Celebrate the miracle of the oil with the sweetness of spiced cider doughnuts, which can be served as classic doughnuts or doughnut holes.
“Apple doughnuts remind me of family trips to South Dakota. We’d stop at Wall Drug for a dozen or so before camping in the Badlands. Maple glaze was and still is my favorite. Share a batch with friends and family who appreciate a hot, fresh apple cider doughnut.” —Recipe contributor Melissa Hansen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Blintzes
Total Time: 40 minutes + chillingMain Ingredients: Eggs, flour, cream cheese, pitted sweet cherries
Level: Intermediate
Blintzes are similar to crepes, but they’re fluffier and cooked a bit differently. They’re stuffed with cheese, a symbolic food honoring the story of Judith, making them a popular treat on Hanukkah.
“These elegant blintzes can be served as an attractive dessert or a brunch entree. The bright cherry sauce gives them a delightful flavor. I sometimes substitute other fruits, such as raspberries, blueberries or peaches.” —Recipe contributor Jessica Vantrease, Anderson, Alaska
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Rugelach
Total Time: 1 hour, 5 minutes + chillingMain Ingredients: Butter, cream cheese, cinnamon, pecans
Level: Intermediate
It’s tricky to pronounce but not that tricky to make. Feel free to change the rugelach filling and let little hands help roll up this traditional Hanukkah dessert.
“The crisp texture of these crescent-shaped cookies makes them a terrific treat to serve alongside a steaming mug of hot chocolate or coffee.” —Recipe contributor Becky Phillips, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
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Vanilla and Cinnamon-Kissed Apple Latkes
Total Time: 25 minutesMain Ingredients: Apples, eggs, flour, sugar
Level: Easy
This twist on a traditional latke recipe is perfect for dessert because it uses sweet apples and cinnamon instead of savory additions like potatoes and onions. You can make these for breakfast, too—even if you want to top the latkes with vanilla ice cream.
“Apples replace potatoes, and orange juice, cinnamon and vanilla help to take this version of latkes to the dessert realm.” —Recipe contributor Candace McMenamin, Lexington, South Carolina
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Kugel
Total Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes + standingMain Ingredients: Egg noodles, eggs, sugar, cinnamon graham crackers
Level: Easy
Every Jewish family has a kugel story. Whether sweet or savory, the ingredients can vary wildly. This noodle-based recipe includes a sweet, buttery graham cracker topping, making it suitable to serve for dessert.
“I made this dish for a party with our friends. It was a big hit!” —Recipe contributor Lauren Kargen, Buffalo, New York
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Honey-Nut Swirls
Total Time: 35 minutesMain Ingredients: Puff pastry, nuts, honey, heavy whipping cream
Level: Intermediate
Store-bought puff pastry is a real time saver, and let’s be honest—it tastes just as delicious as homemade puff pastry. If you have any leftover swirls, serve them in the morning for breakfast.
“Puff pastry creates a quick and easy “dough” for pretty pinwheel-type cookies featuring two types of nuts. The flaky treats are hard to resist.” —Recipe contributor Sally Sibthorpe, Shelby Township, Michigan
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Chocolate Babka
Total Time: 55 minutes + chilling and coolingMain Ingredients: Flour, quick-rise yeast, butter, dark chocolate chips
Level: Easy
A Seinfeld episode called “The Dinner Party” elevated the cinnamon babka to an almost mythical status. This traditional Hanukkah dessert originated in Poland and loosely translates to “little grandma.”
“I love this chocolate babka. It’s a rewarding recipe for taking the next step in your bread baking. Even if it’s slightly imperfect going into the oven, it turns out gorgeous. Look at those swirls!” —Recipe contributor Lisa Kaminski, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
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Chocolate Chip Mandelbrot Cookies
Total Time: 1 hour + chilling and coolingMain Ingredients: Eggs, sugar, unblanched almonds, chocolate chips
Level: Intermediate
Mandelbrot cookies are very similar to biscotti, so they take time to make. The dough needs to be chilled, then rolled and baked as a loaf before it’s sliced and baked again. But these cookies are worth the effort! Chocolate chips are used in this version for kid appeal.
“Mandelbrot in Yiddish means “almond bread.” The twice-baked cookie made with oil and almonds dates back to 19th-century Eastern Europe. There are many variations made of different dried fruits and nuts. My chocolate chip version is more modern-American.” —Recipe contributor Kimberly Scott, Kosciusko, Mississippi
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Grandma’s Raspberry Rugelach
Total Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes + chilling and coolingMain Ingredients: Margarine, heavy whipping cream, raspberry jam, flour
Level: Intermediate
Rugelach translates to “little twists” and is believed to have originated from Jewish communities in Poland. Grandma would tell you the secret behind this traditional Hanukkah dessert is to plan ahead. Chilling the dough overnight makes it easier to roll and form the cookies.
“I remember sitting on the couch in my great-grandmother’s house with a pad and pen as she told me each ingredient and measurement for her special rugelach. Some of the ingredients are different from the typical version. My whole family cherishes this heirloom recipe.” —Recipe contributor Dalya Rubin, Boca Raton, Florida
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Easy Apple Cake
Total Time: 1 hour + coolingMain Ingredients: Sugar, canola oil, walnuts, apples
Level: Intermediate
Enough apples are used in this classic Hanukkah dessert that the treat will most definitely keep the doctor away! Plus, it’s very easy to make.
“After testing many apple cake recipes with fresh apples, I found this old-fashioned easy apple cake that is moist, dense and down-home delicious. Even better, it’s quick to fix, and when it’s served warm with whipped cream or a dollop of frozen custard, it’s one of my family’s very favorites.” —Recipe contributor Sherry Ashenfelter, Waterville, Ohio
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Molly’s Sweet and Spicy Tzimmes Cake
Total Time: 1 hour, 20 minutes + coolingMain Ingredients: Sugar, sweet potatoes, orange juice, spices
Level: Intermediate
You either love tzimmes or hate them; there is no in-between. The Ashkenazi stew is made with sweet root vegetables and dried fruits, which are transformed into a cake in this fun Hanukkah dessert recipe.
“My husband and I are always on the lookout for new ways to incorporate Jewish traditions into our interfaith home. Rich with apples, carrots and sweet potato, this sweet and spicy cake is perfect for Rosh Hashana or any fall holiday.” —Recipe contributor Molly Haendler, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Make-Ahead Tiramisu
Total Time: 25 minutes + chillingMain Ingredients: Coffee, coffee liqueur, cream cheese, baking cocoa
Level: Intermediate
Matzo tiramisu is sometimes made for Passover, but this ladyfingers version is tasty for Hannukah, especially considering that tiramisu means “lift me up.” Kids can layer the ladyfingers while you take an extra sip of the coffee liqueur that gives this classic Italian dessert its unique taste.
“This variation of the popular Italian dessert is so easy to assemble. It’s convenient, too, because you can make it the day before your dinner party or potluck.” —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
