Kosher For Passover Dessert Recipes That Are Legit Delicious

Kosher for Passover desserts get a bad rep — but just because there's an eight-day ban on flour doesn't mean you have to be stuck with dry, flavorless homemade treats. If anything, it's an opportunity to get creative and let those sweet, sweet culinary juices flow. Sure, those store-bought jelly rings will always scratch that nostalgic holiday itch, but if you want to rise to the occasion, make these 21 decadent, delicious dessert recipes that would be welcome on any holiday table, not just a Seder table. 

Perhaps the most iconic of all Passover treats, Matzo candy is simply the best. Brown sugar and butter (use vegan butter to make it pareve) caramelize on matzo in the oven before the whole thing is draped in chocolate. If you don't eat it all, this makes an excellent gift for your Seder hosts.

For the Matzo Candy recipe, click here.

Crepes are an elegant and delicious breakfast, snack or dessert but are not typically something that comes to mind for Passover. This recipe makes it possible to enjoy by using kosher for Passover potato starch instead of flour.

For the Passover Crepes recipe, click here.

Just because a dessert is kosher for Passover does not mean it has to be lackluster, as evidenced by this delightful cake. Made with almond flour and flavored with lemon zest and juice, the cake is finished off with a sabayon — which is just a fancy name for a sauce made with egg yolks, sugar and wine.

For the Lemon Almond Flourless Cake With Sabayon recipe, click here.

Shredded coconut macaroons are the classic Passover dessert. At their best they are chewy and moist in a hard-to-eat-just-one kind of way. This recipe calls for flour, but you can make it appropriate for the holiday by substituting 2 tablespoons matzo cake meal and 2 tablespoons potato starch. Dark chocolate chips take these cookies over the top. 

For the Chocolate Chip Macaroons recipe, click here.

Though Valentine's Day may come to mind when you think of this sweet treat, there's no reason chocolate covered strawberries shouldn't be enjoyed all the time. Use vegan chocolate to make them pareve and they'll be a delightful way to finish off the big Seder meal.

For the Chocolate Covered Strawberries recipe, click here.

Mandelbrot, similar in shape and texture to biscotti, is a favorite in Jewish households year round. This recipe uses matzo meal instead of flour to make them Passover-friendly. Almond appears in two forms — extract and slivers — in addition to sweet chocolate chips.

For the Passover Mandel Bread recipe, click here.

Rhubarb is among the most welcome produce of spring, and Passover is the perfect time to highlight it. This clever recipe makes a crumble topping with sugar, butter and farfel so it is absolutely kosher for Passover. Swap the butter for a dairy-free alternative to make it meat-compatible.

For the Rhubarb Crisp recipe, click here.

Kugel is one of the great Jewish comfort foods, and this version is like a sweet rice pudding casserole. Though not everyone eats rice on Pesach, if you do, this is a recipe worth adding to your menu.

For the Rice Kugel recipe, click here.

If rice isn't in the Passover cards for you, you can still get your kugel fill with this shredded apple version. Vanilla, sugar and cinnamon complement the apples, while potato starch provides just the right amount of thickening.

For the Shredded Apple Kugel recipe, click here.

It's worth seeking out matzo cake flour for the light and airy texture it lends to these elegant shortbread cookies. These would be as delightful during brunch or afternoon tea as they would following dinner.

For the Earl Grey Tea Sugar Shortbread Cookies recipe, click here.

This rich, chocolatey dessert is the absolute perfect thing to serve as a special Passover treat. Though it would be welcome any time, it would be particularly suitable after a lighter pescatarian or vegetarian meal. Since you're already serving dairy with this cake, you might as well go all in and have whipped cream or ice cream to accompany it.

For the Flourless Chocolate Cake with Walnuts recipe, click here.

Fudge is always fun to make since it looks and tastes impressive but isn't actually that difficult to make. This white chocolate and cream cheese-based recipe is flavored simply with vanilla and has chopped, toasted almonds folded in for flavor and texture. The fudge looks especially pretty when adorned with whole almonds on top as well.

For the Vanilla Fudge with Almonds recipe, click here.

Not to be confused with macaroons, almond flour-based French-style macarons are a less traditional but equally appropriate dessert for Passover. Sure, you can spend an arm and a leg buying them at a fancy bakery or, you can truly impress by making your own. This recipe produces white chocolate and coconut-flavored treats that are vibrant green — and perfect for springtime.

For the Coconut Macarons recipe, click here.

Whether popcorn has always been part of your Pesach traditions or you recently started dipping into the kitniyot, this caramel almond popcorn is well worth making. It may not be a traditional Passover dessert, but that's part of what makes it so special.

For the Caramel Almond Popcorn recipe, click here.

Linzer tarts are delicious and impressive any time of year, and this one is made Passover-friendly with the use of ground almonds, walnuts and hazelnuts in the crust along with potato starch. You can adjust the tart to your family's tastes by using any flavor jam you prefer.

For the Gluten-Free Linzer Tart recipe, click here.

Cookies often seem out of reach on Passover, but these thumbprint cookies use matzo cake meal instead of flour. Jelly thumbprint cookies are always fun to make with kids and a great way to get them involved in the kitchen and holiday cooking.

For the Jelly Thumbprint Cookies recipe, click here.

These yum balls are like the kosher for Passover version of cake pops (in fact, put them on a stick and call them cake pops!). If you have any leftover Passover sponge cake, this is a great way to repurpose it.

For the Passover Yum Balls recipe, click here.

If you feel like imbuing your Passover with a few rays of sunshine, then might we suggest making citrus teriyaki salmon followed by this grilled mango dessert? Look for kosher for Passover rum for the glaze and your favorite high-quality vanilla ice cream to complement the mango, coconut and almond flavors.

For the Grilled Mango with Spicy Rum Glaze and Vanilla Ice Cream recipe, click here.

Olive oil may be a bigger part of Hanukkah than Passover, but this lemon olive oil ice cream is so refined and delicious that no one will have anything on their mind other than getting another scoop. If you don't have an ice cream maker, this recipe is worth getting one for.

For the Lemon Olive Oil Ice Cream recipe, click here.

But if you don't have an ice cream maker, this simple sorbet is here to come to the rescue. All you need to do is blend together frozen cherries along with maple syrup, lemon juice, mint, coconut milk, water and a pinch of salt until it is the texture of soft serve. You can serve this vegan treat like that or freeze it for a scoopable texture.

For the Tart Cherry and Mint Sorbet recipe, click here.

Truffles make any occasion feel special, and all the more so if they are homemade. If you want a special treat to bring to a Seder, these indulgent goodies are a great way to show you care. If you'd prefer a vegan alternative, three-ingredient paleo-friendly truffles are an excellent choice. And now that you know how to finish your Passover meals, maybe learn what else to make with these delicious Passover dinner recipes.

For the Chocolate Truffles recipe, click here.

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