Hanukkah is a great time for warm, sweet, festive desserts. Whether you prefer a cozy and straightforward classic or a show-stopping holiday bake, there's something for everyone. From sugar-dusted sufganiyot to chocolate-swirled babka, here are Hanukkah desserts for savoring and sharing.
1. Sufganiyot (Jam-Filled Doughnuts)
Sufganiyot are light, fluffy, and sugar-coated. These are among the most popular Hanukkah desserts and are great for any Holiday dessert platter. Fried to golden perfection and filled with sweet jam or custard, they're festive, fun to make, and will go quickly.
Frying desserts for Hanukkah is all about temperature control. If the oil is too cool, the dough absorbs oil and becomes heavy; if the oil is too hot, the outside browns before the inside cooks. Use a thermometer if possible and aim for 350°F for doughnuts and fritters. Fry in small batches so the temperature stays steady, and always drain on a wire rack rather than paper towels to keep desserts crisp, not soggy.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Activate yeast in warm milk.
- Mix flour, sugar, eggs, butter, and yeast mixture.
- Knead and let rise.
- Shape into balls, rise again.
- Fry at 350°F until golden.
- Pipe with jam and dust with sugar.
2. Rugelach (Flaky Rolled Cookies)
Rugelach are tender rolled cookies filled with chocolate, cinnamon, or jam. The dough is soft and buttery, melting in your mouth. They're great for gifting or serving with coffee or tea during holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cream butter and cream cheese.
- Add flour and mix to dough.
- Chill 1 hour.
- Roll dough into circle.
- Spread filling and cut into wedges.
- Roll into crescents and bake at 350°F.
Many Hanukkah desserts use enriched or cream cheese–based doughs, which benefit from chilling. Resting the dough makes it easier to handle, reduces tearing, and helps cookies and pastries keep their shape while baking. If the dough starts to soften as you work, return it to the fridge for 10–15 minutes. A chilled dough rolls more evenly, leading to more even baking and cleaner presentation.
3. Chocolate Babka
Chocolate babka has swirls of filling in a soft yeast dough. Special without being overly complicated. Slice it and enjoy it slightly warm for a great flavor and texture.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Mix dough ingredients and knead.
- Rise until doubled.
- Roll out and spread chocolate.
- Slice and twist into loaf pan.
- Bake at 350°F and brush with syrup.
4. Sweet Noodle Kugel
A creamy baked noodle casserole. With a slightly sweet custard base, it pairs perfectly with cinnamon and vanilla flavors. Familiar and nostalgic, this one's a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cook noodles.
- Mix custard ingredients.
- Fold noodles in.
- Bake at 350°F until golden.
5. Cheese Blintzes
Cheese blintzes are thin, delicate pancakes with a slightly sweet filling. Serve them plain or top them with fruit, jam, or a dusting of powdered sugar. Simple, elegant, and a lovely holiday brunch dessert.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Mix batter and rest 10 minutes.
- Cook thin crepes.
- Mix cheese filling.
- Fill, fold, and lightly pan-sear.
6. Gelt Brownies
Brownies studded with chocolate gelt. Fudgy, rich, and perfect for chocolate lovers. Kids can help decorate them. In fact, brownies are an adaptable dessert for any Holiday. Make them red and heart-shaped, and you've got a great Valentine's Day dessert option.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Mix butter, sugar, eggs, and cocoa.
- Spread batter in pan.
- Bake at 350°F, adding gelt midway.
7. Dreidel Sugar Cookies
Sugar cookies in the shape of Hanukkah symbols. Easy to decorate, and adults and kids will enjoy making them. Icing, sprinkles, or edible glitter can transform basic cookies into a Hanukkah treat. With the right cookie cutter, they're great for pumpkin-shaped Halloween treats, too!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cream butter and sugar.
- Add egg and flour.
- Chill dough.
- Cut dreidel shapes.
- Bake at 350°F.
8. Olive Oil Citrus Cake
This is a light, moist, and subtly fragrant cake. Olive oil helps keep this tender for days, and it's great to bake ahead. A refreshing dessert choice that isn't overly sweet.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Whisk wet ingredients.
- Stir in dry.
- Bake at 350°F.
9. Cinnamon Apple Cake
Warm cinnamon and soft apples, what more could you want? This is a cozy, comforting dessert that is also a great Thanksgiving choice. Easy to bake and even better on chilly evenings.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Mix batter.
- Fold in apples and cinnamon.
- Bake at 350°F.
10. Chocolate Olive Oil Cake with Gelt
A deep chocolate flavor with the smoothness of olive oil. Top it with chocolate gelt for a fun holiday finish. It may look impressive, but it's deceptively easy to make.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Make batter.
- Bake at 350°F.
- Decorate with gelt.
11. Coconut Macaroon Brownies
Brownies with a chewy coconut topping over a chocolatey base. Two great textures in a single treat. If there's anyone who loves coconut, consider making this for them.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Bake brownies halfway.
- Mix coconut topping.
- Spread and finish baking.
12. Sfenj (Moroccan Ring Donuts)
Sfenj are airy, rustic donuts. They're lightly crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. Traditionally served warm with a drizzle of honey, they're simple, comforting and delicious.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Mix to sticky dough.
- Let rise.
- Pull into rings.
- Fry until golden.
13. Bimuelos / Buñuelos
Crisp fritters coated in warm honey syrup. Bimuelos have a light texture with a sweet, glossy finish. They're festive and easy to share (if you want to).
Ingredients
Instructions
- Whisk batter.
- Fry spoonfuls.
- Dip in warm honey.
14. Zalabia / Zengoula
Fried spirals soaked in syrup. Sweet, golden, and lightly crisp. Best served warm.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Mix smooth batter.
- Pipe into oil.
- Dip in syrup.
15. Loukoumades
Small honey puffs that are crisp outside and pillowy on the inside. These are perfect for drizzling with honey or cinnamon sugar. They're so easy to make that you might want to make a second batch when the first goes so quickly.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Make dough and rise.
- Fry small balls.
- Glaze with honey.
16. Challah Bread Pudding
Use leftover challah to make this bread pudding. It's soft, custardy, and lightly sweet. Chocolate chips or fruit can be added according to taste.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Combine custard.
- Coat challah.
- Bake until set.
@chophappy Easy Hanukkah dessert Challah! #hanukkah #hanukkahrecipes #jewishfood ♬ Oh Hanukkah - Maccabeats
17. Cinnamon-Sugar Churros (Hanukkah Style)
This Mexican classic is popular with Jewish communities for Hanukkah and around Christmas in the country, and it's fun to dip in chocolate or caramel sauce. Crisp and warm, they can make any holiday gathering feel festive. Try them for yourself.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Make dough on stove.
- Pipe into hot oil.
- Coat in cinnamon sugar.
18. Honey Tahini Cookies
Soft, nutty, and naturally sweetened cookies. Tahini can add depth and a subtle sesame flavor. These cookies feel unique and special despite being very simple to make.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Mix dough.
- Shape balls.
- Bake at 350°F.
19. Chocolate Gelt Bark
Make a fun, quick holiday treat by topping chocolate bark with gelt. This is a good option for parties, gifting, or kid-friendly baking, for everything from Hanukkah to chocolate-heavy Easter dessert choices. Break it into rustic pieces and it looks as good as it tastes.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Melt chocolate.
- Spread thin.
- Press gelt on top.
- Chill to set.
20. Mini Cheesecake Bites
Creamy, smooth, and easy to serve. Top these cheesecake bites with jam, fruit, or chocolate. Add them to dessert platters.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Mix filling.
- Pour into mini cups.
- Bake 12 minutes.
21. Almond Crescents
Buttery almond crescents coated in powdered sugar. Soft and light, they'll melt on your tongue. They also look great on any holiday plate.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Mix dough.
- Shape crescents.
- Bake and dust.
22. Pecan Rugelach
This is a variation on a classic with a warm cinnamon-pecan filling. The nuts help add texture and richness. Pair them with tea, coffee, or hot chocolate.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Spread filling.
- Slice and roll.
- Bake at 350°F.
23. Chocolate Dreidel Cakes
Mini chocolate cakes that look like dreidels. Decorate with icing and sprinkles. Kids love making (and eating) these!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Bake in sheet pan.
- Cut shapes.
- Frost and decorate.
24. Lemon Olive Oil Bundt Cake
This cake is moist and bright, with a lovely citrus aroma. Thanks to the olive oil, it stays tender and smooth. Complete the look with a simple glaze.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Mix batter.
- Bake in bundt pan.
- Glaze when cool.
25. Caramel Apple Hand Pies
Easy to bake and perfect for sharing, try these hand pies. Caramel-apple filling inside a flaky pie crust. Have them with a scoop of ice cream!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cook apples with cinnamon.
- Fill dough circles.
- Seal and crimp.
- Bake at 375°F.
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