Hanukkah is steeped in tradition, and it’s no surprise that food plays a significant role in this beloved Jewish holiday. Like Christmas, festive treats like latkes and brisket are staples of the celebration, but cookies also hold a special place at Hanukkah gatherings. In fact, we’re excited to share 20 delectable Hanukkah-themed cookie recipes with you – including some traditional favorites – that will add an extra layer of joy and festivity to your holiday celebrations.
Kichel Cookies (Jewish Bow Tie Cookies)
Kichel, also affectionately known as Jewish Bow Tie Cookies, is a delectable treat that has captured the hearts of many. The name ‘kichel’ itself is derived from the Yiddish word for cookie, which perfectly encapsulates the essence of these scrumptious bites. What sets kichel apart from your average cookie is its unique combination of textures – light, crispy, and sweet, reminiscent of a perfect blend between cookies and crackers.
Sephardic Biscochos
Biscochos, also known as biscotios or biscochos de huevo, are a traditional Jewish cookie that’s shaped like rings. While they’re often associated with Hanukkah, they’re also enjoyed during other significant Jewish holidays, such as Purim. The dough typically consists of standard ingredients like flour, sugar, and oil, but it can be tweaked to yield unique flavor profiles by incorporating elements like vanilla, orange juice, or anise extract.
Before being finished off with a crunchy coating of sesame seeds, the cookies are often topped with either an egg wash or a sweet and spicy cinnamon sugar blend, creating a delightful contrast of textures.
Rugelach Cookies
Rugelach, a beloved baked delight within the Jewish community, boasts an impressive array of variations. The traditional construction of these treats involves forming a triangle-shaped dough into a crescent shape around a filling of choice, resulting in a taste and appearance reminiscent of French croissants. With their buttery, flaky texture, Rugelach have earned a reputation as an irresistible Hanukkah treat.
Moreover, the versatility of this pastry lies in its adaptability to various fillings, making it a perfect canvas for creativity.
Hazelnut Gelt Cookies
Gelt cookies are a delightful Jewish treat designed specifically with children’s tastes in mind. At the center of each cookie lies a chocolate coin, a traditional Hanukkah delight that kids adore. While modern recipes may not always include these coins, many gelt cookie variations feature a circular helping of chocolate to evoke the classic treats. One such iteration is this hazelnut-topped variety, offering a creamy and indulgent flavor profile.
Chocolate Olive Oil Crinkle Gelt Cookies
This innovative take on the classic gelt cookie incorporates an authentic chocolate coin on top, making it a fantastic option for surprising kids with a delightful treat. The cookies themselves boast a crinkled exterior and a soft, tender texture, adding to their appeal. To elevate the fun factor even further, this recipe concludes with a spritz of golden food color spray, guaranteed to bring smiles to young faces.
Chocolate Stuffed Dreidel Cookies
As Hanukkah approaches, why not combine the joy of spinning dreidels with the delight of sweet treats? These unique cookies take the shape of a traditional dreidel, complete with icing details reminiscent of the iconic symbols found on real dreidels. But that’s not all – each bite also contains a rich and velvety chocolate filling, making them a perfect treat for both kids and adults alike.
Red Velvet Rugelach Cookies
Combining the classic rugelach with the rich flavors of red velvet, these innovative treats bring together two beloved desserts in perfect harmony. The secret to their vibrant red hue lies in the addition of red food coloring, which is expertly balanced by a medley of sweet and savory ingredients. To recreate this masterpiece at home, you’ll need a trifecta of textures: unsalted butter, creamy egg, and tangy cream cheese.
A pinch of powdered sugar adds subtle sweetness, while granulated sugar provides a touch of warmth. The unmistakable flavor of vanilla and the velvety smoothness of sour cream are then tempered by the deep, dark richness of cocoa powder and all-purpose flour.
Spinning Hanukkah Dreidel Cookies
For those seeking a more understated approach to baking Hanukkah dreidel cookies, this spinning design is the perfect solution. The cookies boast a mesmerizing blend of white and blues that evoke the dynamic motion of the dreidel itself. This recipe stands out for its simplicity, requiring only a handful of essential ingredients: all-purpose flour, margarine, vanilla extract, granulated sugar, and an egg.
With such minimal requirements, you can quickly and easily craft these unique treats to celebrate the holiday season.
Dreidel Surprise Cookies
These decadent dreidel cookies take a sweet twist by packing a surprise filling of your choice – think candy, nuts, chocolate, or even raisins! While they share the same festive shape and colors as their predecessors, these treats go beyond just looks with an exciting treat-filled center. Whether you’re in the mood for something classic like M&M’s or getting adventurous with crunchy peanut butter cups, the options are endless.
Hanukkah Jelly Cookies
Enliven your Hanukkah celebrations by whipping up a batch of jelly-filled cookie delights for the kids! This festive treat is easy to prepare and can be customized with various fillings, such as chocolate or other sweet surprises. Once baked, the cookies are finished off with a light powdered sugar dusting, amplifying their irresistible sweetness.
Peanut Butter Gelt Cookies
For those who crave a nutty twist on traditional gelt cookies, peanut butter gelt cookies offer a delightful alternative. The best part? These treats still boast the classic combination of crunchy cookie and smooth chocolate coins found in traditional recipes. Additionally, their flavor is elevated by the richness of peanut butter. Moreover, this recipe offers the added benefit of being gluten-free, grain-free, and dairy-free (provided you use non-dairy Hanukkah gelt for the coins).
With these cookies, fans of peanut butter will be in for a real treat.
Chocolate Filled Hamantaschen
Hamantaschen, triangular pastry cookies with a rich history, transcend their traditional association with Purim and Hanukkah holidays. This delectable treat combines the sweetness of vanilla with the richness of chocolate, reminiscent of brownies. The smooth filling and crunchy exterior create a delightful textural experience that complements the harmonious balance of flavors.
Whether you’re celebrating a holiday or simply satisfying your sweet tooth, this hamantaschen recipe is sure to become a favorite.
Hanukkah Stained Glass Cookies
Elevate your Hanukkah cookie game with a touch of stained glass magic! These sweet and crumbly treats boast a stunning visual effect courtesy of crushed hard candies. The best part? This recipe is surprisingly easy to execute, from the cookies themselves to the intricate candy design. Simply follow the link to get started!
Hanukkah Gelt Cookie Cake
Take your traditional gelt cookie recipe to new heights by creating an unforgettable Hanukkah gelt cookie cake. This innovative twist on the classic treat is a game-changer for kids and adults alike, offering a delightful combination of textures and flavors. The golden-brown exterior gives way to a chewy and soft interior, while the addition of melted chocolate chips adds an indulgent touch.
To complete the festive look, simply top with gelt coins, creamy frosting, and a sprinkle or two – it’s the perfect surprise for kids this holiday season.
Brown Sugar Walnut Rugelach Cookies
For a sweet and crunchy treat, look no further than these brown sugar walnut rugelach cookies. The combination of flaky, tender dough and a nutty filling featuring walnuts, brown sugar, honey, and cinnamon is a match made in heaven. And the best part? The recipe is surprisingly simple, requiring just a few ingredients: cream cheese, egg yolk, butter, salt, flour, and honey for the dough; and brown sugar, cinnamon, mounded walnuts, and butter for the filling.
With these easy-to-make rugelach cookies, you’ll be indulging in a sweet and satisfying treat in no time.
Hanukkah Sandwich Cookies
These sweet sandwich cookies are not only a tasty treat but also an engaging option for kids due to the creative shapes and patterns they can be formed into. With this recipe, you can craft various Hanukkah-inspired designs, such as menorahs, dreidels, or Stars of David, adding a fun twist to the traditional cookie experience.
Furthermore, the filling made from figs, ground cinnamon, honey, orange zest, and orange juice provides a fruity and relatively healthier alternative, making it an excellent choice for both kids and adults alike.
Rainbow Menorah Cookie Pizza
A standout Hanukkah treat that’s sure to delight both kids and adults is this vibrant dessert, featuring a majestic rainbow menorah crafted from either modeling chocolate or colorful fondant – a seven-branched candelabrum deeply rooted in Hanukkah tradition. The harmonious union of rich chocolate frosting, sweet fondant, and a crunchy sugar cookie base creates a mouthwatering confection perfect for savoring during the holiday season.
Chocolate Rugelach
Indulge in the sweet and savory delight of chocolate rugelach this Hanukkah! The pastry’s buttery, flaky texture harmoniously complements the rich, velvety chocolate filling. For optimal results, consider refrigerating the dough for at least an hour prior to rolling it out, followed by another chill before baking. This thoughtful step will ensure your rugelach turns out perfectly crispy on the outside and tender within.
Bubbie Ruth’s Mandel Bread
A classic Jewish treat, Mandel bread – also known as Mandelbrot – bears a striking resemblance to Italy’s beloved biscotti. However, what sets it apart is the abundance of chocolate chips that give it a rich and indulgent flavor profile. This recipe’s adaptability allows for creative liberties to be taken by substituting or combining the chocolate chips with other ingredients, such as nuts like pecans or walnuts, or dried fruits like raisins. The possibilities are endless!
Final Thoughts
Indulge in these twenty scrumptious Hanukkah cookies, perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth regardless of whether you’re celebrating the holiday or not. While they may hold special significance for those who observe the Jewish faith, their universal appeal lies in their delectable flavors and textures that transcend cultural boundaries.
Barbara is an enthusiastic food-exploring person that goes through different culinary experiences. She got inspired by creating a pizza blog post after she tasted one of the best-selling pizzas in Toledo.