Russian Food

19 Rosh Hashanah Recipes for a Sweet Start to the New Year

There’s something about a Rosh Hashanah table that makes an ordinary dinner feel like a beginning. Apples and honey for sweetness, familiar dishes passed around the table, and everyone lingering a little longer because this meal means something.

These are the recipes I’d make when I want to welcome the new year with food that feels generous, comforting, and worth gathering around.

Overhead view of bread pudding.
Honey Cake. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Old-Fashioned Lattice Top Apple Pie

Overhead view of apple pie with apples.
Old-Fashioned Lattice Top Apple Pie. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

I always weave dough strips across this apple pie because those small open gaps let hot cinnamon steam escape while keeping the bottom crust crisp. Tucking sliced sweet apples into a buttery shell gives you a cozy dessert that promises a sweet new year in every single bite.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Lattice Top Apple Pie

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 Immigrants Table.

If you want a side dish that gets people talking, the trick here is caramelizing sugar in hot oil before tossing in boiled egg noodles and cracked black pepper. It bakes into a firm, peppery-sweet noodle cake that brings a fun, bold twist to your holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Jerusalem Kugel

Carrot Kugel

A carrot kugel slice topped with a dollop of cream sits on an ornate patterned white plate with a fork beside it.
Carrot Kugel. Photo credit: At The Immigrants Table.

When you grate fresh carrots directly into a lightly spiced egg batter, they release their natural sugars into a soft, golden casserole as it bakes. It comes together in just forty-five minutes, giving you a quick side dish that symbolizes prosperity for the months ahead.
Get the Recipe: Carrot Kugel

Gluten-Free Apple Cake

A plate of apple pie with a slice taken out of it.
Gluten-Free Apple Cake. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Whenever friends ask me for a light holiday dessert, I tell them to make this Russian sharlotka because whipped eggs lift the batter into a cloud-like sponge. Tossing sweet apple slices right into the bowl keeps every bite tender without needing any gluten or heavy butter.
Get the Recipe: Gluten-Free Apple Cake

Carrot Tzimmes

A white plate filled with cooked sliced carrots and prunes, with a fork on the side.
Carrot Tzimmes. Photo credit: At The Immigrants Table.

This classic carrot tzimmes simmers sliced carrots with dried apricots, prunes, and honey on your stovetop until everything turns soft and syrupy. It is a traditional Rosh Hashanah dish passed down through generations that brings sweet wishes straight to your feast.
Get the Recipe: Carrot Tzimmes

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.

You can make your dessert table look like a professional bakery by rolling thin apple slices into decorative roses across the top of this almond cake. Baking sweet apples over a nutty base creates a beautiful treat that tastes like a blessing for the new year.
Get the Recipe: Almond Apple Cake with Apple Roses

Brandy Soaked Raisins

A ceramic bowl filled with golden raisins, with a metal spoon resting inside.
Brandy Soaked Raisins. Photo credit: At The Immigrants Table.

I love soaking plump raisins in warm brandy overnight because the dried fruit swells up into juicy, flavor-packed bites. Spooning them over baked goods or roasted meat adds a fast, fun note of sweetness to your festive menu.
Get the Recipe: Brandy Soaked Raisins

Roasted Salmon on Apples and Potatoes

A plate featuring a serving of potatoes alongside cooked salmon, arranged appetizingly.
Roasted Salmon on Apples and Potatoes. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

These fresh salmon fillets bake over a bed of sliced apples and thin potatoes so the sweet fruit juices flavor the fish as it cooks. It gives you a colorful main dish ready in under an hour that brings a sweet, savory touch to your new year dinner.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Salmon on Apples and Potatoes

Apple Olive Oil Cake

Apple cinnamon bundt cake.
Apple Olive Oil Cake. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

This simple apple olive oil cake stays soft for days because fruit purée and olive oil keep the crumb moist without any butter. Whisking fresh apples with ground ginger gives you a fragrant, sweet slice that comes together fast on a busy morning.
Get the Recipe: Apple Olive Oil Cake

Poached Quince With Yogurt

A bowl of yogurt topped with two peach slices, chopped nuts, and a sprinkle of cinnamon. The food is served in a dark bowl, placed on a light-colored surface.
Poached Quince With Yogurt. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

If you simmer hard quince slices in honey vanilla syrup on the stovetop, the pale fruit turns a deep rose color and gets melt-in-your-mouth soft. Serving the warm, sweet fruit over cold, creamy yogurt creates a light dessert that feels truly special.
Get the Recipe: Poached Quince With Yogurt

Israeli Cheesecake with Crumb Topping

Side view of cheesecake slice with raspberries.
Israeli Cheesecake with Crumb Topping. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

I rely on this no-bake Israeli cheesecake when my oven is completely full because whisking cream cheese with a crisp graham cracker topping takes zero baking time. Chilling it in the fridge leaves you with a cool, creamy dessert that ends a big meal on a light, sweet note.
Get the Recipe: Israeli Cheesecake with Crumb Topping

Challah Bread

A braided loaf of seeded bread, partially sliced, on a wooden board.
Challah Bread. Photo credit: At The Immigrants Table.

When you braid bread dough into a round shape for Rosh Hashanah, it represents the continuous circle of life and a smooth year ahead. Baking the egg-rich loaf until golden gives you a sweet, soft slice that begs to be dipped straight into warm honey.
Get the Recipe: Challah Bread

Quince Preserves

A spoonful of fruit sorbet is placed on a white plate with a gold rim. In the background, two blurred brass goblets are visible on a white cloth, next to Granny's Homemade Pickles.
Quince Preserves. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Whenever quince comes into season, I simmer the hard fruit with sugar until it turns into a glossy, ruby-red jam you can keep in your fridge for weeks. Spreading this sweet preserve over warm bread keeps the festive spirit alive long after your meal is over.
Get the Recipe: Quince Preserves

Pomegranate Glazed Salmon

Pomegranate Glazed Whole Salmon recipe.
Pomegranate Glazed Salmon. Photo credit: At The Immigrants Table.

These flaky salmon fillets get brushed with a glaze of pomegranate molasses and date honey that bubbles into a sweet, shiny crust in the oven. Using pomegranate seeds brings a touch of abundance to your plate for a quick main dish ready in thirty minutes.
Get the Recipe: Pomegranate Glazed Salmon

Pomegranate Chicken with Walnuts

A close-up image of a slow-cooked meat dish garnished with fresh parsley and pomegranate seeds served in a rustic pot.
Pomegranate Chicken with Walnuts. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

You will love how roasting chicken thighs in pomegranate molasses creates a tangy, sweet glaze that pairs perfectly with toasted walnuts. The rich sauce coats every piece of tender meat, giving your family a comforting main course filled with new year meaning.
Get the Recipe: Pomegranate Chicken with Walnuts

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 Immigrants Table.

I blend broad egg noodles with sweet cheese, cinnamon, and cognac-soaked raisins for a baked casserole that smells incredible coming out of the oven. It bakes up with a golden top layer, offering a cozy dish that works equally well as a side or a dessert.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Noodle Kugel with Cognac-Soaked Raisins

Chicken and Date Casserole

Chicken and date casserole in a white baking dish.
Chicken and Date Casserole. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

When you braise chicken thighs with sweet dates, green olives, and capers, the savory meat absorbs a wonderful sweet-and-salty flavor. Cooking everything in one pan creates a rich gravy that makes starting the new year feel warm and cozy.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Date Casserole

Heavenly Chocolate Tart With Almonds

Chocolate tart sliced into pieces.
Heavenly Chocolate Tart With Almonds. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

This dark chocolate tart uses a simple ground almond crust to hold a smooth, rich cocoa filling that melts on your tongue. Slicing this chilled chocolate dessert gives everyone a sweet, festive treat to celebrate a happy new year.
Get the Recipe: Heavenly Chocolate Tart With Almonds

Honey Cake

Overhead view of bread pudding.
Honey Cake. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

This traditional honey cake is my absolute favorite holiday bake because rich honey keeps the spiced loaf soft and moist on your counter for days. Baking it with cinnamon and cloves fills your kitchen with warmth and brings sweet wishes for Rosh Hashanah.
Get the Recipe: Honey Cake

What’s the dish that makes Rosh Hashanah feel like Rosh Hashanah to you? Start with that one, and make room for something new alongside it.

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