Kosher Cuisine

with Marcy Goldman

Happy Chanukah, Come on Over! Chanukah Hosting Desserts

I am always delighted somehow, when Chanukah lands around the same time as the other mainstream winter holidays. Why? Because everyone is home (more or less). Home from work, home from school, home from errands and volunteer tasks. Home, as they say, for the holidays. It is a perfect time, Chanukah meals of latkes, brisket and wonderful soufganiot (fried doughnuts) notwithstanding, to have people over and celebrate.

With that in mind, I created some easy but festive holiday desserts. In keeping with the oil-theme that is riveted to the Festival of Light, there are oil-based sweets. But they are also pareve, which means, you can sere them with your meat-based holiday meals. Or just have them on hand, for a quick dessert or coffee treat when unexpected guests drop by during the eight wonderful days. Being oil based also makes these desserts conserve better. No staling, no worries but frankly, none of these treats last too long!

Carrot Cake Chanukah Cake

Everything you love about carrot cake, re-configured in a fruitier, longer lasting cake that is perfect for Chanukah hospitality. Make a big one to slice and serve or a few smaller ones as gifts. Garnish with Chanukah gelt on top of the fabulous snow white icing.

White Chocolate Mandarin Bubka Challah

Most challot take bread flour but this one is extra tender, due in part to the use of all-purpose flour. White chocolate in the dough and then smeared on top, along with zest of holiday mandarins make this spectacular. It is challah but sweet and rich enough to be a bubka. The melted white chocolate in the dough gives in a spectacular flavour.

Too Tall Chanukah Fudge Cake

You don’t need to wait until Chanukah to enjoy this oil-based but exceptionally flavorful hosting cake. Leave it plain or dust with cocoa, warm caramel sauce or melted white chocolate and pretty sprinkles, for a festive cake that pleases kids and adults alike. It is just the thing to serve after plenty of latkes and brisket. It’s a hunk of cake.