Sweeten Up Your Seder With These 13 Passover Dessert Recipes

Published on 3/7/2023 at 3:30 PM

Tasty Yummies

For many of us (present company included), dessert is the best part of any meal. Concluding a repast with a sweet treat is simply a ritual many of us are unwilling to give up. But when Passover comes along, finding "approved" sweet recipes can be a bit more challenging.

In case you're not familiar with the dietary customs people follow when they observe Passover, one cool detail is that every spring, Jewish people around the world trade in their beloved bread for matzo, or unleavened bread that resembles an enormous cracker, as a part of their Passover traditions. As a way to honor the period that the Jewish people fled from Egypt to escape slavery, they gave up leavened food for eight days and eight nights to commemorate the bread that was consumed in the desert when they fled from the Pharaoh.

But the Passover dietary practices don't stop with just skipping the bun on a burger or foregoing croutons on a salad. During Passover, Jewish people avoid products made from five grains: wheat, spelt, barley, oats, and rye. And certain sects of Judaism require observers to also avoid corn, rice, legumes, and seeds. So obvious food choices like pasta and cookies are off limits. But less obvious sources of these ingredients, like beer (that's made from barley) and certain sodas made with corn syrup, are no-gos too.

So where does that leave dessert-lovers who are honoring the Passover customs and avoiding leavened items? Traditionally, Passover desserts like coconut-packed macaroons and decadent chocolate-covered matzo are served. Simple desserts like chocolate-covered strawberries or fruit sorbet can be enjoyed as well. There are tons of other amazing Passover-friendly dessert recipes out there, too. We gathered 12 Passover dessert recipes that can help you wow your Bubbie at your Seder this year.

Passover Desserts: Frozen Chocolate-Covered Banana Bites

Bite-size desserts are easy to serve and enjoy after a heavy meal — and these frozen chocolate-covered banana bites certainly fit the bill. These treats are easy to make with only three core ingredients (bananas, chocolate, and coconut oil) and zero baking. What's not to love? Just be sure to opt for toppings that are OK to enjoy during Passover (read: skip the crushed pretzels) and choose a chocolate that is kosher for Passover when you're whipping these up.

Get the recipe: Frozen Chocolate-Covered Banana Bites

Passover Desserts: Rose Saffron Ice Cream With Pistachios

If you're looking for a refreshing dessert to enjoy after a meatless Passover meal, then this homemade ice cream is perfect. (Remember, it's typically not allowed to mix meat dishes with dairy dishes.) Incredibly fragrant, sweet, and slightly floral, this Persian ice cream is as delicious as it is unique. FYI, you will need an ice-cream maker; the recipe creator uses a KitchenAid Ice Cream Maker Attachment ($100).

Get the recipe: Rose Saffron Ice Cream With Pistachios

KitchenAid Ice Cream Maker Attachment

From

$100

Passover Desserts: Flourless Peanut Butter Blossoms

Flourless cookie-like desserts are easy to serve when feeding a crowd, and it's a bonus when they look as cute as these blossoms are. Since Hershey's Kisses are kosher, per the Hershey's website, this simple recipe is OK to enjoy during this important holiday. Of course, these can be made without the kisses, too, if you need a dairy-free treat.

Get the recipe: Flourless Peanut Butter Blossoms

Passover Desserts: Pistachio Meringues

Light and airy meringues make for a perfect spring Passover dessert. These sweets are made with cream of tartar — which is kosher, according to OU Kosher, a kosher-certification agency — but if you're avoiding this ingredient during Passover, you can substitute it with 1.5 teaspoons of lemon juice.

Get the recipe: Pistachio Meringues

Passover Desserts: Red-Wine-Poached Pears

For an elegant-looking Passover dessert that's packed with fruit, look no further than this poached-pear recipe. You don't need any special equipment; just a cooking pot and some spices. Make sure you use red wine that's kosher for Passover, and you'll have an impressive dessert that's packed with natural sweetness in no time. You can even make these a day ahead — they'll taste even better the next day.

Get the recipe: Red-Wine-Poached Pears

Passover Desserts: Cassava Flour Paleo Brownies

Did you know that cassava flour is OK to eat during Passover, according to most experts? This flour is made by grating and drying the fibrous cassava root, making it a nice substitute for traditional flour. It also happens to be used in Paleo-friendly recipes, making these Cassava Flour Paleo Brownies a great Passover dessert.

Get the recipe: Cassava Flour Paleo Brownies

Passover Desserts: Almond Lace Cookies

A pretty almond lace cookie can make your Seder table look absolutely gorgeous while you're enjoying your last course. Just be sure to follow this recipe using potato starch instead of flour if you're making it as a Passover dessert. These cookies freeze well, too, so make an extra batch to save for later.

Get the recipe: Almond Lace Cookies

Passover Desserts: White-Chocolate Mousse

After spending time getting your charoset ready, setting your Seder plate, and rolling your matzo balls, having a dessert that only requires two ingredients — heavy cream and chopped white chocolate — is a welcome relief. This dessert isn't too sweet, is easy to make, and is kosher for Passover! Just keep in mind that this dessert does contain dairy, so if you're having a meal with meat, this may not fit into your Passover plan.

Get the recipe: White-Chocolate Mousse

Passover Desserts: Fruit Salad

Sure, you can simply cut up some fruit and plop your ingredients into a bowl, and you'll have fruit salad. But you can also level up your fruit salad with this recipe. The lemon-zest-and-maple-syrup combo adds an extra sweetness and tang that makes this fruit salad a bit more special as a Passover dessert, and it's packed with nutrients, thanks to the variety of fruit.

Get the recipe: Fruit Salad

Passover Desserts: Mini Pavlova

Garnished with colorful berries and mint leaves, these gorgeous mini pavlovas will fit nicely on your Passover dinner table. Fluffy pavlova topped with fresh fruit is a light dessert that's just sweet enough and offers a nice switch from other classic Passover desserts. This recipe calls for corn starch, which you can use if your Passover practice allows, or you may be able to swap it for potato starch.

Get the recipe: Mini Pavlova

Passover Desserts: Baklava Bimuelos

Doughnuts are usually off limits during Passover, but thanks to this recipe, you can create a tasty treat without flour or leavening agents. Made with crushed matzo and lightly fried, these doughnuts can also be enjoyed at breakfast along with a cup of coffee. The pistachios and rose-water syrup add a flavor that might remind you of baklava.

Get the recipe: Baklava Bimuelos

Passover Desserts: Matzo Crisp With Pears and Pistachios

Save some matzo to use for this delicious Passover dessert recipe. Made with pears, pistachios, and cinnamon, it's absolutely dynamite served with ice cream or a dairy-free frozen alternative. Pro tip: Instead of using plain crushed pistachios, use Honey Roasted Wonderful Pistachios for a sweet-and-salty topping that makes this dish irresistible.

Get the recipe: Matzo Crisp With Pears and Pistachios