Hanukkah is here — and with it comes eight nights of flickering candles, laughter, and, of course, sweet traditions. While latkes might steal the savory spotlight, dessert is where the magic truly happens. Think golden jelly donuts (sufganiyot) filled with jam, swirls of chocolate-scented babka, melt-in-your-mouth rugelach, and buttery cookies dusted with sugar and joy.
In Jewish tradition, foods fried in oil honor the Hanukkah miracle — but that doesn’t mean you can’t mix in a few oven-baked classics, too. This dessert collection brings together beloved favorites and modern twists: pistachio-studded treats, citrusy olive oil cakes, crumbly Mandelbrot, and indulgent bread puddings that taste like a warm hug.
Bringing dessert to a Hanukkah party, or just craving something sweet to pair with your menorah glow, these recipes are here to make your celebration shine a little brighter.
Grab your whisk, light the candles, and let’s make this Hanukkah the most delicious one yet.
Bread pudding transformed into a dessert worthy of the holiday table: three types of chocolate melt into custardy bread for a rich spin on sweet kugel tradition.
Olive oil symbolizes the Hanukkah miracle; this Meyer lemon cake made with olive oil is bright, moist, and elegant — a modern homage to the Festival of Lights.
Crisp matzo topped with dark chocolate and pistachios — a sweet nod to matzo traditions and a crunchy treat worthy of any Hanukkah gathering.
French toast stuffed with cherry cream and pistachios, riffing on latkes’ crispy comfort and adding sweet indulgence for your dessert tray.
A Mediterranean-inspired cake where roasted grapes and fennel meet olive oil — elegant, grounded, and rooted in Jewish heritage flavors.
Bite-sized donut holes dipped in Kahlúa ganache — a grown-up version of the holiday classic, for those nights you want indulgence with a wink.
Sufganiyot or jelly donuts are a traditional Chanukah treat as they, like latkes, are fried in oil. Using tradition as inspiration we’ve developed this easy and stunning bundt cake with a gooey jelly swirl topped with a lemon glaze, it’s the perfect holiday slice.
A kosher-friendly take on the bakery classic: ivory and chocolate icing on gluten-free cake cookies. Light vs dark, sweet vs rich — perfectly symbolic.
Delicate cheese-filled crepes with raspberry jam — honoring the legend of Judith and the dairy tradition during Hanukkah. Elegant, creamy, and festive.
Nutty semolina and almond textures meet a lemon-syrup finish — inspired by Sephardic Jewish desserts and perfect after candle-lighting dinner.
Green pistachio layers twisted into golden babka dough — rich, visually stunning, and aligned with Hanukkah colors and tradition.
The essential Hanukkah doughnut: fried in oil, filled with jam, dusted with powdered sugar. A simple, sweet tradition that never goes out of style.
Triangular sweet-filled cookies echoing Jewish symbolism and perfect for dessert trays or gifting during the holiday.
Braided dough with ribbons of sweet cinnamon — babka that smells like your grandmother’s kitchen, celebrations baked in every slice.
Creamy lemon filling, bursts of blueberry — light, elegant, and a modern take on dairy-forward Hanukkah treats.
Almond bread with marzipan and sea salt — crunchy, coffee-friendly, and perfect for a sweet break between nights.
Cider and tahini bring new flavor to Hanukkah classics — a contemporary holiday dessert for those who love twists on tradition.
Rich chocolate ribbons in babka dough — a Jewish bakery classic that deserves center stage on your dessert table.
Flaky, rolled pastries filled with jam, nuts, or chocolate — rooted in Eastern European Jewish baking, beloved across eight nights and more.
Bright and zesty muffins that bring refreshment after rich meals — a softer, sweet note for Hanukkah brunch or dessert.
Matzah meets peanut butter and chocolate — playful, crunchy, and perfect for snacking while playing dreidel or passing around the gelt.
Chewy, chocolate-dipped macaroons — a timeless treat that fits Hanukkah or Passover, with a simple, nostalgic appeal.
The cake full of tender fruit and warm spices — comforting, rustic, and perfect for holiday gatherings.
Nutty, subtly sweet, and rich with tahini — part cookie, part celebration, perfect for the adventurous dessert lover.
Gingerbread richness meets holiday warmth — while not strictly Hanukkah, it brings cozy spice to the eight nights of celebration.
Croissant meets babka: buttery layers, cacao ribbons, pure indulgence. For the night you want dessert and breakfast in one.
Spiced carrot loaf inspired by Moroccan Jewish traditions — lightly sweet, warmly spiced, and just the right note to wrap up the collection.
Thick brioche soaked and golden-fried, topped with orange marmalade whipped cream — a brunch twist on the classic jelly doughnut, celebrating oil and light in one indulgent bite.
Golden-skillet apple pancake with cinnamon sugar — a warm, spiced twist on traditional latkes, perfect for the
Festival of Lights.
Eight nights, thirty desserts, and infinite excuses for “just one more bite.” From crispy latkes to jam-stuffed sufganiyot, Hanukkah’s magic isn’t just in the miracle — it’s in the gathering, the laughter, and maybe that second (okay, third) helping of dessert.
Ready to keep the lights (and the oil) burning? Dive deeper with Hanukkah Explained: The Story Behind the Menorah, Dreidel, and Latkes, then feast your eyes on 43 Best Hanukkah Recipes: Traditional Jewish Favorites for all the crispy, golden, sugar-dusted inspiration you need to make this Festival of Lights shine a little sweeter.
