Molly Yeh’s Must-Try Hanukkah Recipes

Tapping into her Jewish heritage and the warm, comforting flavors of her childhood, Juilliard-trained musician turned best-selling cookbook author and Emmy-nominated culinary host Molly Yeh has shared some of her most traditional (and unique) Hanukkah recipes throughout her 15 seasons hosting Girl Meets Farm.

And here, she’s proudly presenting one of them. Thick, nutty and topped with the sparkly chocolate coins used to play the classic Hanukkah game of dreidel, Molly's gelt cookies are the perfect addition to any cookie jar or holiday table.

No Jewish holiday is complete without a soft, tasty challah to pull apart and pass around. By adding orange juice, Molly puts an original twist on this classic Hanukkah staple.

This brisket is melt-in-your-mouth delicious and makes the perfect main for Hanukkah dinner. While Molly suggests using a slow cooker, you can also use a covered baking dish or Dutch oven to achieve the same flavor and tenderness.

Bagels are a staple of the Jewish community, so being able to make your own for family and friends is a true mitzvah. These bagels may take a while to complete, but trust us, they are well worth it.

“Sufganiyot are fried jelly-filled donuts that are traditional to eat on Hanukkah. Savory sufganiyot are my jam, so rather than toast up croutons for a salad, I fried up some tiny savory sufganiyot,” says Molly.

Noodle kugel is always a hit around the holiday season, and getting creative is the name of the game with this one-of-a-kind plum hazelnut spin courtesy of Molly.

A staple at Jewish bakeries and at Hanukkah tables around the world, these colorful and tasty rugelach are perfect to enjoy at room temp or fresh out of the oven while the chocolate filling is still ooey-gooey.

Molly transforms this Hanukkah classic by replacing the usual potatoes with Brussels sprouts, which give the dish an earthy flavor that’s balanced by the tangy Dijon-spiked sour cream on the side.

When it comes to Hanukkah meals, there's probably no more common side dish on the table than the latke. But what if it became the whole meal? Molly’s fun twist on this classic calls for a runny egg yolk to ooze over fresh smoked salmon for a delicious breakfast treat that feeds the whole family.

A classic comfort food for the Jewish holidays, Molly's matzo balls soak up rich flavors from soy sauce, Chinese black vinegar and toasted sesame oil in this unique spin on a popular Hanukkah appetizer.

If you enjoy dipping french fries in your milkshake, you’re absolutely gonna love this combination of savory latkes and a sweet chocolate shake.

Did you know that one of the least-known traditional Hanukkah dishes is also one of the tastiest? Fried chicken has long been a surprising yet beloved Jewish classic during the holiday season.

Challah and Hanukkah go together like dreidels and gelt, and these squash jam and herby cheese-stuffed doughnuts made from challah are the perfect addition to any table.

While hamantaschen are generally a traditional pastry made during Purim, these delicious triangle-shaped cookies are a great dessert for any Jewish holiday.

When people think of Hanukkah meals, they generally associate them with dinner because that’s when the candles are lit. But that shouldn’t stop you from making a classic Jewish breakfast that you and your family will love after a long night of celebrating.

Molly describes her macaroons as “crunchy, chewy and chocolatey with a toasted coconut flavor that is perfect.” These easy-to-make cookies are an excellent addition to any Jewish holiday table.

This easy-to-make dish includes cumin, raisins and sunflower seeds for a sweet and savory flavor your family and friends will love. You can make the hash in a 10-inch skillet or in individual cups in a cast-iron biscuit pan.

A blend of cinnamon, cardamom and honey perfectly complements the apple butter filling, making it a great dessert to finish off a hearty Hanukkah meal with family and friends. Molly adds a hint of lemon zest to the frosting for a tangy twist.

Take a spoonful of Molly’s stew and be instantly comforted by tender beef that melts in your mouth with flavors of thyme and bay leaf. Homemade fluffy pita bread is the perfect companion.