When it comes to Rosh Hashanah desserts, it’s safe to say that more is more. I mean, think about it: We add cinnamon-sugar to challah, drop raisins onto kugel, dredge apple slices in honey, and pile sweet potato into tzimmes. We sprinkle pomegranate seeds…everywhere. We eschew the quotidian “happy new year” in favor of “have a good and sweet new year.” And yet, somehow, we’re not satisfied. The New Year still isn’t sweet enough. We want actual dessert, too. Enter: this list of the very best Rosh Hashanah desserts out there. There are apple-themed Rosh Hashanah desserts here, honey-themed Rosh Hashanah desserts, tried-and-true, thoroughly traditional Rosh Hashanah desserts, and new-fangled, out-of-the-box ideas, too.
Admittedly, at my family’s dinners, Rosh Hashanah desserts never got top billing. The real show-stopper was my grandmother’s brisket, prepared by my mom (if you follow that link, please don’t skimp on the glazed carrots). But I have a feeling these ideas might change that once and for all. Whether you pick a dish that’s truly authentic and unique to Rosh Hashanah or just riff on one of the holiday’s star ingredients (apples, honey, more apples, more honey), you can’t go wrong.
P.S. If you like this post, you’ll probably love my other Rosh Hashanah ideas! I’ve got Rosh Hashanah co*cktail ideas,Rosh Hashanah decorations,Rosh Hashanah quotes,Rosh Hashanah poems, and tons ofother holiday ideas that’ll help you make this High Holiday season your most memorable yet. Hope they’re all helpful and inspiring to you.
Marzipan Honey Bees
Not just a wonderful, very cute Rosh Hashanah dessert in its own right—but an excellent garnish for any Rosh Hashanah desserts you’ve got in the works, too. (Pictured here on an apple sheet cake.)
Get the recipe.
Apple-Shaped Thumbprint Cookies
One of my all-time favorite projects I’ve shared here. I promise you’re going to love them.
Get the recipe.
Chewy Gingersnaps with Dried Apples
A new recipe for the new year—and I adore the base of these cookies; you’ll want to make it all season long.
Get the recipe.
Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake with Honey Butter
As far as Rosh Hashanah desserts go, this one checks all of the boxes. It’s got both apples and honey, not to mention an out-of-this-world buttery cinnamon-sugar topping.
Get the recipe at Pinch of Yum.
Easy Cinnamon Baked Apples
Only nine ingredients are required to whip up these tender, tantalizing, just-caramelized-enough apples. It’s an excellent last-minute option—and you really can’t mess up the presentation here.
Get the recipe at Minimalist Baker.
Zoe Kanan’s Honey Cake for Rosh Hashanah
I just love the story behind this beautiful recipe. Zoe also includes easy instructions for making the cake parve or non-dairy.
Get the recipe at Jewish Food Society.
Sunken Apple and Honey Cake for Rosh Hashanah
There’s something so artful about this cake. I just can’t get over it. The hundreds (yes, hundreds!) of glowing reviews on the recipe certainly don’t hurt, either.
Get the recipe at Smitten Kitchen.
Tahini Caramel Apples
Molly’s done it again! Store-bought caramel is the trick to a stress-free dessert here.
Get the recipe at My Name is Yeh.
Brown Sugar Shortbread Cookies with Pomegranate
I’m a sucker for anything with pomegranate seeds on it…and I love that the glaze here is dyed naturally. Just the prettiest.
Get the recipe at Truffles and Trends.
Apple Butter Rugelach
You could bake up a batch of these rugelach. Or you could print out this brilliantly tasty-looking photo and just have your guests stare at it all night. Either/or.
Get the recipe at NYT Cooking.
Apple Roses
I don’t care how many times I’ve seen them; I will never not be impressed by apple roses. They’re just so beautiful.
Get the recipe at Handle the Heat.
Rainbow Apple Galette
Everything my friend LeAnne touches is gold, so you know this tart will be perfection. P.S. Be sure to follow her on Instagram for more deliciousness.
Get the recipe at Lion’s Bread.
Three-Ingredient French Apple Tart
Another baker I love, love, love following on Instagram: Molly Wilkinson! (Whose name I thought was “Molly J. Wilk” up until this very moment, I must admit.) You’ll only need three ingredients to make her apple tart.
Get the recipe at Molly J. Wilk.
Spiced Cider Apple Cake with Brown Butter Frosting
If this cake doesn’t scream “fall” to you, I don”t know what will.
Get the recipe at Grandbaby Cakes.
Honeycrisp Apple Pandowdy
Make this just so you can say “pandowdy” all night. Or because, you know, it’s delicious. Both are excellent reasons.
Get the recipe at Half Baked Harvest.
Brown-Butter Honey Cookies
If you need me, I’ll just be here staring at the mesmerizing pattern on these cookies. Too pretty.
Get the recipe at Martha Stewart.
No-Bake Chocolate Pomegranate Fudge Tart
Again with the pomegranate seeds! I just can’t get enough of them. And I feel like chocolate tends to be underrepresented in the world of Rosh Hashanah desserts, no?
Get the recipe at Wife Foodie Mama.
Apple Cobbler
Just dreamy. (I’m a big fan of this blogger and her recipes, by the way.)
Get the recipe at A Cozy Kitchen.
Apple-Ginger Tishpishti (Gluten-Free Almond and Walnut Cake)
Fun fact: My mom makes tishpishti every year for Rosh Hashanah! Highly recommend.
Get the recipe at Serious Eats.
Carolina Gelen’s Apple Cake
Carolina Gelen is just the coolest, isn’t she? I’ve always had amazing results with her recipes.
Get the recipe at Kosher.com.
Apple and Cardamom Babka
Apple babka? Now you’re just showing off.
Get the recipe at Cloudy Kitchen.
Apple Crisp
I’ll never know why apple crisp doesn’t get more love on Rosh Hashanah. It couldn’t be easier. And this version, topped with pomegranate seeds, is even more on-theme.
Get the recipe at Love & Lemons.
Honey-Roasted Apples with Calvados and Sesame
This is one of those fancy, next-level desserts that will have people talking all the way until next Rosh Hashanah.
Get the recipe at Saveur.
Italian Apple Cake
I haven’t been able to get this photo out of my head since I first laid eyes on it. Those mini apples are just the cutest—and the cake is incredibly sophisticated overall.
Get the recipe at Edible Living.
Apple Cider Churros
I initially thought these would be a great idea for Hanukkah and had included them in a Hanukkah desserts roundup, but they work perfectly for Rosh Hashanah as well. My advice: Make them now, troubleshoot any frying/shaping issues, and have at ’em again in the winter!
Get the recipe at Lion’s Bread.
Chocolate Honey Cake
The sort of recipe that needs no introduction. Just go for it.
Get the recipe at Savory Nothings.
Apple Butter Macarons with Spiced Swiss Meringue Buttercream
I love the hot pink color of these macarons, and the fact that they’re not your typical honey cake/kugel situation.
Get the recipe at Cloudy Kitchen.
Tahini Brownies (Grain-Free, Dairy-Free)
Brownies? On Rosh Hashanah? Groundbreaking. (But really—you’ll get so many points for this.)
Get the recipe at Ambitious Kitchen.
Apple Spice Cake with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting
Layer cakes don’t get enough love on Rosh Hashanah, I say.
Get the recipe at Elisabeth and Butter.
Chai Spiced Apple Ricotta Galette
This is such a showstopper, but way easier than it looks. And you can always top with dairy-free ice cream.
Get the recipe at Half Baked Harvest.
Cardamom-Cognac Apple Cake
Even the name of this recipe is exciting.
Get the recipe at Eyeswoon.
Apple Pie Cookies
I love the look of these sweet cut-out cookies. May have to recreate for my own Rosh Hashanah celebrations this year.
Get the recipe at Epicurious.
Apple and Honey Marzipan Rolls
Because you can never have too much Molly on your menu! These ooey-gooey rolls are pure decadence in the very best way.
Get the recipe at My Name is Yeh.
Vegan Apple Crisp (Dairy-Free)
I made this last year and it was everything. So easy, too—just mix the ingredients and dump them into a large baking dish. Hope you’ll try and see for yourself.
Get the recipe at Minimalist Baker.
Pecan-Orange Baklava Pie
Baklava always reminds me of my Hungarian grandmother. A never-fail favorite.
Get the recipe at Epicurious.
Raisin-Challah Apple Betty
What is it about recipes with fun names that makes them triply irresistible?
Get the recipe at Martha Stewart.
Russian Honey Cake
It’s different than the traditional Rosh Hashanah honey cake, to be sure, but that only makes this Smitten Kitchen classic even more intriguing. I love the layers here and the gorgeous design on top.
Get the recipe at Smitten Kitchen.
Apple Cinnamon Rolls
The best thing about this particular recipe: You can have the leftovers for breakfast the next day.
Get the recipe at Cloudy Kitchen.
