You might be wondering where Hanukkah cookie recipes fall in the fried food category, and well, they don’t. Families typically feast on crispy latkes, fried jelly doughnuts, and more decadent Hanukkah treats for eight nights.
Top image: Blue Hanukkah Crinkle Cookies by The Nosher
But while Hanukkah cookie recipes don’t have anything fried, they’re still a fun addition to the celebration. Because, really, who doesn’t love a cookie, especially this time of year? So I found 8 Hanukkah cookie recipes — some traditional, some with a fun Hanukkah-themed twist — that you’ll want to eat on all eight days… and nights too.
This post was updated for 2022
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Related: A feast of fried foods for Hanukkah.
The Best Rugelach Cookie: The Kitchn
Recipe and photo by Emma Christensen for The Kitchn
I cannot resist good rugelach. The flakey, filled cookies are so delicious and the recipe for the Best Rugelach Cookie at The Kitchn is perfect for Hanukkah. Once you make the dough, you can fill yours with nuts, jam, Nutella… anything goes! Oh, and if you feel like you don’t have time for this traditional recipe, try the shortcut version that Jane found while rounding up easy holiday cookie recipes that are simple enough for even people who don’t like to bake.
Hanukkah Jelly Cookies: Living Sweet Moments
These Hanukkah Jelly Cookies at Living Sweet Moments are a fun twist on Sufganiyot, the jelly doughnuts traditionally served during Hanukkah, but in cookie form. Kids will love the powdered sugared covered sandwich cookies filled with their favorite jam. The grown-ups will too.
Related: Fun twists on traditional Hanukkah recipes that prove 8 nights isn’t long enough.
Chocolate Hanukkah Gelt Cookies: Busy in Brooklyn
These Chocolate Olive Oil Crinkle Hanukkah Gelt Cookies at Busy in Brooklyn elevate a standard cookie with rich ingredients. Intense chocolate flavor combined with a rich and fruity extra virgin olive oil make these truly special. Don’t skimp on the EVOO! In baking, it’s especially important to go with high quality oil. Once baked, top these with a chocolate gelt coin and they are ready to serve. And eat!
Easy Hanukkah Cookies: Growing up Gabel
If you’re looking for a fun activity to keep the kids busy, these easy Hanukkah cookies from Growing Up Gabel are perfect, no baking required. Just grab some sparkle food gel and some graham crackers and let the kids have fun.
Hanukkah Sugar Cookies: Tori Avey
These Hanukkah Sugar Cookies at Tori Avey spin traditional sugar cookie dough into festive dreidel and Star of David treats. Tori breaks down every step — from baking to decorating with homemade royal icing — but you can cut a few corners with store bought blue and white icing. Make sure to purchase Hanukkah cookie cutters and get baking!
Related: 7 sensational latke recipes for a tasty Hanukkah.
Coconut Macaroons: Food 52
I love Coconut Macaroons (or anything made with coconut) and this recipe from Alice Medrich at Food52 is sublime. Instead of using traditional flake coconut, she uses big coconut shavings, creating an awesome texture. Then, when the cookies are hot out of the oven, she tops them with a piece of dark chocolate. Drool!
Blue Hanukkah Crinkle Cookies: The Nosher
These Blue Hanukkah Crinkle Cookies at The Nosher are a fun twist on crinkle cookies, which are usually chocolate. They are still soft and chewy on the inside, crisp on the outside, but blue food coloring makes them Hanukkah festive. And I’m down with that.
Hanukkah Rainbow Cookies: Zola Bakes
Okay, so this isn’t a recipe, but if you’re saving your kitchen time for cooking, grab these gorgeous Hanukkah Rainbow Cookies by Zola Bakes at Goldbelly. They’ll ship right to your door, which means more eating time, and less cleaning up all the flour in your kitchen time.
