25 Hanukkah Desserts To Make All 8 Nights Extra Sweet

Hanukkah (December 18 to 26, 2022) is here, and what better way to celebrate than with a variety of sweet desserts? We've got everything from classic donuts, cookies, and cakes to cheeky and classic twists on them that we think you’ll love. Check out our 25 Hanukkah desserts for ideas—we’ve got enough for all 8 nights, and then some.

If you’re unfamiliar, Hanukkah is a holiday commemorating the miracle of one day’s worth of oil lasting for eight, thus sparking the tradition of eating foods fried in oil. If you make nothing else this Hanukkah, you’ve got to make sufganiyot, or fried jelly donuts. Want to avoid the hot oil, but keep with the “fried” Hanukkah tradition? Try our citrus olive oil cake, our pistachio chocolate chip cookies (with olive oil instead of butter), our apple cider donut cake, or our funnel cake. They’re perfect for a more modern celebration.

Speaking of, need a dairy-free, kosher dessert to serve after your meat-heavy dinner? Take a note from many modern Jewish households and go vegan! Try our vegan chocolate chip cookies, our sorbet, or our vegan sugar cookies. This way, everyone can enjoy a sweet treat, no halachah (Jewish law regarding meat and dairy) waiting necessary.

Just because keeping kosher is serious doesn’t mean all your Hanukkah desserts have to be! Take our sugar cookie dreidels—sure, you can’t actually play with them, but they’re so cute, no one will mind. Especially if when you do play, you play for our homemade gelt (made so easily in a mini muffin tin). Another tradition we’re turning on its head is making latkes, or potato pancakes. Though traditionally savory, if you want to bring that potato action firmly into dessert territory, try our potato candy or our latke cookies. They’ll be the perfect playful addition to your Hanukkah dessert spread.

Want even more Hanukkah ideas? Check out our favorite creative Hanukkah latkes, our top Hanukkah cookies, and our best Hanukkah appetizers too.