Explore the warmth and joy of Hanukkah with these delightful treats you can prepare with your little ones. Introduce your kids to the tradition and significance of Hanukkah, while fostering a love for cooking, with these simple yet delicious recipes. From Classic Latkes to Hanukkah Gelt Cookies, each treat embraces the festive spirit of Hanukkah and provides a fun-filled cooking activity for the whole family.
Classic Latkes: A Staple During Hanukkah
One cannot think of Hanukkah without the classic latkes. These fried potato pancakes make for a crispy, savory delight and are relatively easy to prepare, making them an excellent choice for cooking with kids. Start by peeling and grating potatoes and onions into a bowl. Add eggs, flour, salt, and pepper, and mix until the ingredients form a thick batter. Heat some oil in a skillet and drop spoonfuls of the batter into the hot oil. Fry until golden brown and serve with applesauce or sour cream for the perfect traditional Hanukkah treat.
Hanukkah Gelt Cookies: A Sweet Gold Coin Treat
Hanukkah Gelt Cookies are fun to make and a festive treat during the Festival of Lights. To make these, you need to prepare a basic cookie dough, add some cocoa powder for a chocolatey flavor, and roll out the dough before cutting out round cookie shapes. After baking, the kids can help decorate the cookies with edible gold paint or dust to mimic the look of traditional Hanukkah gelt. These cookies are a delicious and creative way to teach kids about the tradition of giving gelt during Hanukkah.
Sufganiyot: Hanukkah Jelly Donuts
Sufganiyot, or jelly donuts, are a favorite during the Hanukkah celebration. Given that hot oil can be dangerous for kids, adults should handle the frying portion. However, kids can help with the other parts like mixing the dough, shaping the donuts, and injecting them with jelly. This activity gives children something fun to do, and the result is a delicious sweet treat everyone will enjoy.
Hanukkah Star Cookies: Embrace the Festive Spirit
These star-shaped cookies are perfect to get little hands involved in the kitchen. Begin by preparing a simple sugar cookie dough. Then, give the kids some cookie cutters shaped like the Star of David and let them have at the rolled-out dough. After a short stint in the oven, these cookies are ready to be frosted and decorated. Whether you choose blue icing to stick with the Hanukkah color scheme or a rainbow of colors, decorating these cookies will surely become a cherished Hanukkah memory.
Sweet Noodle Kugel: A Delicious Hanukkah Dish
Sweet Noodle Kugel is a comforting dish traditionally made on Jewish holidays, including Hanukkah. It's a creamy, custardy dish made from egg noodles, cottage cheese, sour cream, eggs, and sugar—all ingredients that are safe for kids to handle. Once the mixture is ready, simply pour it into a baking dish, top with a topping of crushed cornflakes mixed with melted butter and a sprinkle of cinnamon, then bake in the oven. This sweet, creamy dish is a comforting treat that echoes the spirit of the festival.