10 Best Purim Desserts and Recipe Ideas

After a day of fasting, there’s no better way to celebrate a holiday of unity, family, and togetherness than these easy and delicious Purim desserts.

From easy cookies to decadent cakes and everything in between, I’ve got some fantastic recipes for you to try.

Purim is a Jewish spring festival held to commemorate the defeat of a plot to massacre Jewish people from Haman.

And a festive meal is one of the four mitzvahs of Purim – which means it’s time to get cooking!

So whether you’re hosting your whole family or serving a more intimate group, you’ll need these tasty Purim desserts to end the feast.

Easy Hamantaschen Jewish Purim Cookies and More!

1. Vegan Halva

Many Purim recipes feature seeds to commemorate Esther’s devotion to her faith when she only ate seeds to avoid eating non-kosher foods.

And since Halva is made primarily from sesame seeds, it makes a terrific Purim dessert.

This recipe is vegan and offers a few fun variations and flavors, including Nutella, pecan-cinnamon, chocolate, and peanut.

2. Chocolate-Filled Hamantaschen

Hamantaschen are a traditional Purim treat, and what better way to celebrate the holiday than with a delicious chocolate-filled version? 

These triangle-shaped cookies are made with a rich, buttery dough filled with a creamy chocolate filling. 

The cookies are then baked to perfection, resulting in a crispy exterior and a soft, gooey center. 

The combination of chocolate filling and tender dough is to die for.

Better yet, they’re super versatile. So feel free to switch out the filling depending on your mood.

3. Poppy Seed Cookies with Orange

Here’s another seed-filled recipe you’ll love. In fact, poppy seed cookies are super popular during Purim.

And this blend of seeds and citrus is as lovely as can be.

The sweetness of the orange complements the slight bitterness of the poppy seeds.

Meanwhile, the rich flavor of the cookie dough provides a perfect base. 

This recipe is sure to become a new favorite, so be sure to make extra – they’ll go fast! 

And if you’re feeling especially adventurous, try serving them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful twist on a classic dessert.

4. Cheesecake Hamantaschen

If you love cheesecake as much as I do, you’ll go nuts for these rich and creamy Hamantaschen! 

Instead of a crispy cookie dough case, you’ll need flaky pastry dough, which melts in your mouth.

It also pairs perfectly with the silky filling!

5. Bubbie Ruth’s Mandel Bread

If you enjoy coffee after dinner, this recipe is a must-make!

Mandal bread is a traditional Jewish cookie with chocolate chips. It’s crisp on the outside and soft and tender in the middle.

Best served cool with cinnamon sugar coating, they’re ideal for dipping in tea or coffee – kind of like a Jewish biscotti!

6. Black Sesame Chocolate Chip Cookies

There’s nothing like a chocolate chip cookie.

Warm, gooey, and full of chocolatey goodness, they’re the perfect treat for any occasion. 

But what if I told you that there was a way to make them even better? Enter these black sesame chocolate chip cookies. 

Made with rich black sesame seeds and dark chocolate chips, the resulting cookie is deep, complex, and totally scrumptious. 

In addition, the black sesame provides a lovely contrast in color and texture.

7. Apricot Hamantaschen

There’s something about the combination of sweet and tart that just feels right – especially when it’s in the form of a little apricot hamantaschen. 

These bite-sized cookies are the perfect treat to enjoy during Purim or really any time of year. 

The orange-yellow fruit filling is enveloped in flaky pastry dough, and the whole thing can be dusted with sugar for a bit of extra sweetness.

Trust me when I say that these are irresistible. Serve them on their own or with a cup of tea or coffee. 

8. Hanukkah Jelly Donut (Sufganiyah)

There’s nothing quite like a freshly-made jelly donut.

The combination of a light, fluffy dough with a sweet, fruity filling is truly a thing of beauty. 

And when it comes to jelly donuts, there’s no better option than the classic Hanukkah treat known as sufganiyah.

Sufganiyah is a type of fried donut traditionally filled with strawberry jam. 

However, these days you can find them filled with all sorts of delicious flavors, from chocolate and raspberry to lemon.

No matter what filling you choose, one thing’s for sure – these donuts are absolutely delicious.

Serve them warm, topped with a dusting of powdered sugar, and everyone will ask for seconds. 

9. The Best Jewish Apple Cake

Jewish apple cake is not your average dessert. It’s dense, moist, packed with flavor, and it’s insanely addictive. 

Ideal for any occasion, it’s just what you need when a sugar craving hits.

The recipe only calls for a few simple ingredients, and you can have it in the oven in no time. Trust me, once you try this cake, you’ll be hooked. 

The sweetness of the cake balances out the tartness of the apples, and the result is a perfectly flavorful cake.

Serve it warm with vanilla sauce. Yum!

10. Poppy Seed Filling (Mohn Paste)

Mohn paste is one of the tastiest and most common fillings you’ll see in Purim desserts.

It’s sweet, nutty, and full of fun textures. And it’s excellent in tarts, cookies, cakes, bread, and more.

You’ll see it most often in hamantaschen, but I really enjoy it swirled into chocolate chip cookie dough or babka!