Rosh Hashanah, referring to the Jewish New Year, is one of the most important holidays on the Jewish calendar. If you’re not familiar, it’s a two-day holiday that’s typically celebrated with special meals and lots of gatherings with loved ones to reflect on the past year. Like almost any other holiday, it tends to feature plenty of traditional dishes (think: chicken soup, brisket, tzimmes, and more!). The unofficial crowd-pleasing star of the holiday: the combo of apples and honey, which symbolizes hope for a sweet new year. (This happens to work out very well, considering the fact that Rosh Hashanah usually falls in early autumn, when there’s a bounty of perfectly ready apples!)
And that brings us to these recipes. We have fun twists on the apple-and-honey duo, plus we’ve made a few smart tweaks to other favorites. Bonus: They’re all easy to pull off. Shanah tova u’metukah! (have a good and sweet new year!)
Sweet-and-Sour Brisket with Root Vegetables
Is a holiday spread complete without a showstopping brisket? This version roasts low and slow, melting into a delicious bite alongside hearty root vegetables and flavor enhancers. The combination of ketchup and vinegar makes a tangy sweet and sour sauce that most definitely can rival Grandma’s recipe.
Get the recipe: Sweet-and-Sour Brisket with Root Vegetables
Easy Apple Galette
A refrigerated pie crust helps this spectacular dessert come together super fast. With just five simple ingredients, you can have an extremely special Rosh Hashanah dessert without much work. We especially love that it’s a free-form galette—meaning the more rustic, the better.
Get the recipe: Easy Apple Galette
Roasted Honey Lemon Chicken
For the perfect chicken dish at your Rosh Hashanah table, look no further than this five-ingredient roasted chicken. It’s basted with a sweet and sour lemon-honey glaze while it roasts for a crispy and holiday-ready main.
Get the recipe: Roasted Honey Lemon Chicken
One-Bowl Apple Cake with Honey Glaze
This beautiful bundt comes together in just one bowl and features a pound of fresh apples and chopped nuts for some extra crunch. We especially love the decadent honey glaze that really makes this holiday-worthy dessert shine.
Get the recipe: One-Bowl Apple Cake with Honey Glaze
Stovetop Sweet Potato and Carrot Tzimmes
Though it means “big fuss” in Yiddish, this one-pot tzimmes is easy to make. The sweet-and-savory combo of carrot, sweet potato, onion, and three kinds of dried fruit comes together almost on its own while sitting on the stovetop.
Get the recipe: Stovetop Sweet Potato and Carrot Tzimmes
Apple and Honey Rugelach
Store-bought pie dough for the win! This recipe calls for just 15 minutes of prep time and it’s an easy and fun activity for little ones. We’re not sure which part is more fun: rolling up the treats or eating them.
Get the recipe: Apple and Honey Rugelach
Crispy Potato-Green Onion Kugel
If you’re a fan of crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside potatoes, this scallion-studded kugel might become a go-to all year long. The key to the always-perfect texture is drained, shredded potatoes cooked in a preheated cast iron skillet. Don’t worry, it’s all super easy!
Get the recipe: Crispy Potato-Green Onion Kugel
Apple and Honey Bread Pudding
Thick slices of challah (a braided egg bread common on Jewish holiday tables) baked in a creamy custard with apples and honey get extra sweetness from a finishing drizzle of caramel sauce. This one-pan, make-ahead dessert also works as a sweet addition to breakfast.
Get the recipe: Apple and Honey Bread Pudding
Carrot-Potato Kugel
Classic potato kugel gets an unexpected twist in this easy, updated version. The secret ingredient: shredded matchstick carrots, which add color and nutrients to the traditional baked casserole without any extra work.
Get the recipe: Carrot-Potato Kugel
Mini Honey and Apple Tartlets
Warning: These two-bite tartlets look and taste so fancy, your guests might think you had help from a professional bakery. You don’t have to tell anyone that you made them in a muffin tin with store-bought puff pastry!
Get the recipe: Mini Honey and Apple Tartlets
