Themed Snacks, Meals & Desserts For Hanukkah

Hanukkah is a beautiful time to share time with friends and family and indulge in some special treats! If you’re celebrating the Festival of Lights this season and want to deck out your dining room table with some fun and festive snacks, meals, and desserts, then look no further—these are a few of our faves! —Jennifer Cox

snacks. Let those special traditional Hanukkah items become the inspiration for some fun appetizers and snacks. You can turn individual fruits into a menorah on a platter (use blueberries, mangoes, oranges and raspberries), or make small, sweet menorahs by adding a marshmallow to the end of a small pretzel stick and using a Hershey kiss chocolate for the pointed bottom (these can be dipped in regular or white chocolate, or festive blue if you use melting wafers). Star of David-cut cookies, pancakes, and sandwiches are fun, too.

meals. Some of the go-to classics are what you remember your Bubbeh making: potato latkes, kugel, brisket, and matzo ball soup. You can amplify them and give them a modern spin by incorporating your own homemade go-withs. This could include altering the latkes to be made with sweet potatoes instead, or serving them with homemade applesauce. Elevate your brisket with new spice combinations or a dash of unexpected but palette-warming heat. You can do the same with your broth or matzo balls—sneak in some turmeric or cardamom for a delicious surprise.

desserts. Babka, sufganiyot, and rugelach are traditional yummy sweets served at the Hanukkah dinner table, but we like to switch things up. Think: orange chocolate challah, peanut and jelly or salted caramel doughnuts, and rugelach with spiced apricot and mango. Some non-traditional options: a beautiful pie with lattice work to look like stars of David, or white chocolate cookies with blue sugar or sprinkles.