16 of Our Favorite Hanukkah Desserts

Holiday Rugelach

rugala-0005-d112434-horiz-0922 — Mike Krautter

This twist on the classic Jewish dessert is rolled up with prune and apricot butters. The secret to that shiny, slightly crunchy finish is a combination of cinnamon and sugar. Nothing feels more festive than that!

View Recipe

02 of 16

Raisin-Challah Apple Betty

Similar to a cobbler, apple betty is an easy fruit dessert. It's made with breadcrumbs rather than a flour-butter-sugar crumb mixture and will make for a sweet start to the holiday. Top each portion with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream.

View Recipe

03 of 16

Walnut Babka

Though not a traditional Hanukkah dessert per se, babka is part of many holiday tables at this time of year, along with many other iconic Jewish dishes. Renowned babka baker Uri Scheft shared his version with Martha, and now you can give it a try, too.

View Recipe

04 of 16

Hanukkah Sufganiyot

It's not a Hanukkah celebration without fried, jelly-filled donuts. They're plump and fluffy—and every bite is just so sweet.

View Recipe

05 of 16

Chocolate Marshmallow Dreidels

Kid-friendly and oh-so-sweet, this is a time when it's actually fine to play with your food. Create an assembly line of pretzel sticks, chocolate kisses, marshmallows, and melted chocolate so everyone can create their own edible dreidel.

View Recipe

06 of 16

Apple Fritters

A plate of these bite-sized treats, topped off with a generous dusting of powdered sugar, is a delicious way to celebrate Hanukkah.

View Recipe

07 of 16

Donut Twists

To honor the oil that burned for eight long nights, make these delicious and indulgent fried donut twists. They're a delight to eat for dessert, breakfast, or both!

View Recipe

08 of 16

Pistachio and Dried-Apricot Rugelach

Sweet, rich pistachios and apricot jam are an irresistible filling in these rugelach cookies. Make the dough a day in advance, then form, fill, and finish the cookies the following day.

View Recipe

09 of 16

Shortbread Cookies

These shortbread cookies are very versatile—cut them out in a six point star and create individual monograms so they can double as place settings. Or add color by frosting the cookies with blue-and-white icing, then top with silver sprinkles for a festive Hanukkah finish.

View Recipe

10 of 16

Walnut and Brown-Sugar Rugelach

Rich and creamy, a batch of these rugelach cookies will go fast. The dough can be made up to three months in advance and kept frozen until it's time to fill and shape them for the holiday.

View Recipe

11 of 16

Glitter Ball Cookies

Decorated in Hanukkah colors, these bite-sized cookies are just dazzling. They're filled with a creamy ginger buttercream that gives them the perfect amount of spice.

View Recipe

12 of 16

Cinnamon-Honey Donuts with Raspberry Jam

cinnamon honey doughnuts raspberry jam dessert

Enjoy this sweet, spice, and everything nice take on the beloved sufganiyot. Honey adds a touch of sweetness to the dough.

View Recipe

13 of 16

Jelly Donuts

strawberry jam filled doughnuts — Will Anderson

These are sure to be everyone's favorite Hanukkah dessert. The light-as-air yeasted donuts can be filled with strawberry or grape jelly.

View Recipe

14 of 16

Homemade Gelt

Why not make your own versions of the gold-wrapped chocolate coins handed out to children during Hanukkah? It's easy using our recipe that calls for filling the cups of a mini muffin tin with melted chocolate and topping with orange zest, cacao nibs, and candied ginger.

View Recipe

15 of 16

Cake Donuts

Here's a fried dessert everyone will enjoy while they're still warm from cooking. Their crisp, fried exterior contrasts with the cloud-like interior; a dusting of confectioners' sugar is the finishing touch.

View Recipe

16 of 16