Russian Food Recipeub December 20, 2025 0 Comments

15 Hanukkah Desserts That Keep the Holiday Sweet and Steady

Hanukkah desserts tend to show up quietly, doing their job without stealing the moment. They are meant to feel reassuring, not rushed, and sweet without tipping too far. These are the kinds of treats that sit on the counter night after night, ready when the candles are lit and the evening slows. Together, these 15 Hanukkah desserts keep the holiday feeling steady, warm, and gently sweet.

Almond Apple Cake with Apple Roses

Almond apple cake topped with thinly sliced apples arranged in swirls, on a white cake stand. — Almond Apple Cake with Apple Roses. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Almond Apple Cake with Apple Roses is a tender cake made with almond flour, sliced apples, and warm spice. It takes about 60 minutes to bake and cool before serving. The flavor is lightly sweet with soft apple notes and nutty depth. Each slice feels calm and composed, making it easy to enjoy slowly over the course of the evening.
Get the Recipe: Almond Apple Cake with Apple Roses

Apple-Granola Baked Bimuelos (Hanukkah Honey Puffs)

A stack of apple-granola baked bimuelos. — Apple-Granola Baked Bimuelos (Hanukkah Honey Puffs). Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Apple-Granola Baked Bimuelos are baked honey puffs made with apples, oats, and warm spices. They take about 35 minutes to bake until set and lightly golden. The flavor is gently sweet with fruit and grain providing balance. These feel familiar and steady, offering sweetness without heaviness during Hanukkah nights.
Get the Recipe: Apple-Granola Baked Bimuelos (Hanukkah Honey Puffs)

Banana Chocolate Sufganiyot Recipe (Hanukkah Chunky Monkey Donuts)

A plate of donuts on a marble table. — Banana Chocolate Sufganiyot Recipe (Hanukkah Chunky Monkey Donuts). Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Banana Chocolate Sufganiyot are filled donuts flavored with banana and chocolate. They take about 90 minutes including rising and frying time. The taste is sweet and comforting with soft dough and rich filling. Each donut feels playful yet grounded in familiar holiday tradition.
Get the Recipe: Banana Chocolate Sufganiyot Recipe (Hanukkah Chunky Monkey Donuts)

Dairy-Free And Gluten-Free Sufganiyot

Dairy-Free And Gluten-Free Sufganiyot are classic fried donuts adapted without dairy or wheat. They take about 90 minutes from mixing to frying. The flavor is lightly sweet with crisp edges and a soft interior. They offer a familiar Hanukkah experience while keeping dessert accessible and steady.
Get the Recipe: Dairy-Free And Gluten-Free Sufganiyot

Bourekas Pinukim (Breakfast Bourekas with Egg, Tahini, Pickles and Tomato)

A close-up of golden-brown, triangular puff pastries topped with sesame seeds, stacked on parchment paper, with pickles and olives visible in the background. — Bourekas Pinukim (Breakfast Bourekas with Egg, Tahini, Pickles and Tomato). Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Bourekas Pinukim are flaky pastries served with egg, tahini, pickles, and tomato. They take about 45 minutes to bake and assemble. The flavor is savory and rich with familiar bakery notes. Though often enjoyed earlier in the day, they work as a grounding, comforting end to the meal.
Get the Recipe: Bourekas Pinukim (Breakfast Bourekas with Egg, Tahini, Pickles and Tomato)

Strawberry Almond Thumbprint Cookies

Thumbprint cookies with strawberry jam on a baking tray, surrounded by fresh strawberries. — Strawberry Almond Thumbprint Cookies. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Strawberry Almond Thumbprint Cookies are buttery cookies filled with strawberry jam and almond flavor. They take about 30 minutes to bake and cool. The taste balances nutty richness with bright fruit sweetness. Their simple structure makes them easy to return to night after night.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Almond Thumbprint Cookies

Pistachio Cream Chocolate Chip Cookies

A close-up of a chunky cookie with chocolate pieces and pistachios on a wooden board. — Pistachio Cream Chocolate Chip Cookies. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Pistachio Cream Chocolate Chip Cookies combine buttery dough with pistachio cream and chocolate chips. They take about 30 minutes from mixing to baking. The flavor is nutty, soft, and gently sweet. Each cookie feels familiar while offering just enough variation to stay interesting.
Get the Recipe: Pistachio Cream Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate Gluten-Free Rugelach

Chocolate croissants on a plate with a cup of coffee. — Chocolate Gluten-Free Rugelach. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Chocolate Gluten-Free Rugelach are rolled pastries filled with chocolate and warm spice. They take about 50 minutes to bake and cool fully. The flavor is rich and chocolate-forward without being overwhelming. Their small size makes them ideal for steady, unhurried snacking.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Gluten-Free Rugelach

Israeli Rugelach

Rugelach on a plate. — Israeli Rugelach. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Israeli Rugelach are yeasted pastries rolled with chocolate or sweet fillings. They take about 90 minutes including rising and baking time. The flavor is lightly sweet with soft bread-like texture. These pastries feel rooted in tradition and suited to lingering holiday evenings.
Get the Recipe: Israeli Rugelach

Gluten-Free Carrot Kugel

A carrot kugel slice topped with a dollop of cream sits on an ornate patterned white plate with a fork beside it. — Gluten-Free Carrot Kugel. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Gluten-Free Carrot Kugel is a baked dessert made with carrots, eggs, and gentle sweetness. It takes about 55 minutes to bake until set. The flavor is mildly sweet with soft texture throughout. It feels familiar and steady, offering dessert without excess.
Get the Recipe: Gluten-Free Carrot Kugel

Jerusalem Kugel

A hand scoops baked kugel from a round dish on marble, beside an empty plate, fork, orange napkin, and cinnamon sticks. — Jerusalem Kugel. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Jerusalem Kugel is a baked noodle dish flavored with caramelized sugar and black pepper. It takes about 60 minutes to bake fully. The flavor balances sweet and savory with subtle warmth. Each slice feels rich yet composed, making it easy to serve in small portions.
Get the Recipe: Jerusalem Kugel

Sweet Noodle Kugel with Cognac-Soaked Raisins

A slice of bread pudding on a decorative plate with a fork, topped with whipped cream. A baking dish with more bread pudding and a small bowl of cream with a spoon are in the background. A brown cloth is partially visible on the side. — Sweet Noodle Kugel with Cognac-Soaked Raisins. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Sweet Noodle Kugel with Cognac-Soaked Raisins is a baked dessert made with noodles, eggs, and dried fruit. It takes about 55 minutes to bake until set. The flavor is gently sweet with deep fruit notes. It feels like a dessert meant to linger quietly at the table.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Noodle Kugel with Cognac-Soaked Raisins

Honey Apple Cake With Salted Caramel Sauce

A slice of apple cake on a plate with apples next to it. — Honey Apple Cake With Salted Caramel Sauce. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Honey Apple Cake With Salted Caramel Sauce is a moist cake made with apples, honey, and warm spices. It takes about 60 minutes to bake and cool. The flavor is sweet and mellow with fruit and caramel balancing each other. Each slice feels reassuring rather than indulgent.
Get the Recipe: Honey Apple Cake With Salted Caramel Sauce

Fig And Honey Medovik – Russian Honey Cake

A cream-covered layer cake adorned with pomegranate seeds and figs is displayed on a table. — Fig And Honey Medovik – Russian Honey Cake. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Fig And Honey Medovik is a layered honey cake made with thin cake layers and creamy filling. It takes about 90 minutes to assemble and rest. The flavor is gently sweet with deep honey and fig notes. This dessert rewards patience and suits slow holiday evenings.
Get the Recipe: Fig And Honey Medovik – Russian Honey Cake

Gluten-Free Honey Cake

Gluten-Free Honey Cake is a soft cake made with honey, spices, and gluten-free flour. It takes about 55 minutes to bake through. The flavor is warm and lightly sweet with familiar spice. Served simply, it keeps Hanukkah dessert feeling steady and comforting.
Get the Recipe: Gluten-Free Honey Cake