Traditional Jewish Confections to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth
Within the Jewish tradition, there’s a rich history of culinary creativity, and nowhere is that more evident than with pastries, cakes, sweet breads and other desserts. Many confections that were originally intended to put the final touch on a meal have now become standalone treats. Let’s look at some of the most tantalizing Jewish desserts and sweets.
Halva
You haven’t really lived if you’ve never had halva, a treat that traces its origins back thousands of years. It’s pretty simple—tahini and sugar typically serve as its base, though there are parts of the world where semolina, sunflower and even peanuts are used. Add flour, butter, and oil for the basic halva, and saffron, rosewater, cocoa or milk to jazz it up. Halva will often be flavored with nuts and/or spices.
Chocolate Babka
Legend has it that this delicacy was created from leftover challah dough by resourceful Jewish grandmothers (the word “babka” is derived from the Polish term for “grandma”) in Eastern Europe. Though babka comes with an almost endless assortment of fillings today, the most popular is still chocolate. Other favorites include pizza babka, fruit-filled babka and the famed Nutella babka (as seen on Seinfeld).
Sufganiyah
It’s not really Hanukkah until you’ve had Sufganiyah, is it? This little doughnut is delicious any way you like, whether plain or injected with fruit jelly or custard. If at all possible, though, get them while they’re warm and they’ll literally melt in your mouth.
Rugelach
Basically a Jewish crescent roll, these flaky pastries also come from Poland. Wrap the dough around some chocolate chips or a little fruit and they’re a lip-smacking dessert. Fill the rugelach with eggs and cheese and you have breakfast.
Kunafah
Want to put your taste buds on overload? Take some cream cheese, layer it between a thin pasta (such as vermicelli), bake it to a golden brown, and bathe it in a sweet syrup. The crispy exterior will explode in your mouth as the cheesy middle melts. For the ultimate combination of sweet and salty, there’s nothing like Kunafah. Add fruit, nuts or chocolate to make it even better!
Noodle Kugel
Another amazing dessert with a pasta base (this time, it’s egg noodle), the noodle kugel also includes cream cheese, sour cream and a small amount of sugar. The traditional noodle kugel also adds raisins and apples, but you can be creative. Add some cinnamon and nutmeg, put it in a round baking pan and cook until it’s brown and crispy on top.
Hamantashen
These triangle-shaped cookies are typically linked to the Jewish holiday of Purim, but you can enjoy them year-round. The name comes, in part, from the Yiddish term “tash,” which means “pouch” or “pocket.” Haman refers to the evil villain of Purim, as described in the book of Esther, who offered money to a Persian king in exchange for the opportunity to destroy the Jews, though he was thwarted when Esther intervened.
Hamantashen is customarily filled with sweets, such as fruits, poppy seeds, caramel and chocolate. It may also contain savory fillings, including lamb, potatoes, cheese, spinach and even pizza ingredients.
Jewish Apple Cake
Commonly a part of the celebration of Rosh Hashanah, this confection takes cinnamon spiced slices of apple and bakes them in a cake. Just the aroma alone is worth it!
Tahini Cookies
Though tahini has many uses, none may be better than in a cookie. Mix the tahini (sesame seed paste) with butter, four and a little cinnamon, dust them with sugar and bake to a golden brown. Better make an extra batch, though—they’ll be gone before you know it.
Gutterman’s and Gutterman Warheit—Serving the Jewish Community for Five Generations
At Gutterman’s and Gutterman Warheit, with funeral chapels in New York and Florida, we offer comprehensive funeral and burial services to individuals and families in the Jewish community. Because of our experience, we understand the unique customs of the different Jewish traditions and can assist you with any matter, from the order of service at the memorial to the selection of a casket or monument. We can also help you make preparations for sitting Shiva or create a Yahrzeit calendar. We’ll be your liaison with the Chevra Kadisha, ensuring that the body has been prepared according to Jewish law before interment.
To learn how we can be of assistance, contact us by email or call us at one of the numbers listed below.
Gutterman’s & Gutterman Warheit — Where Relationships Matter
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