Bubbie’s Charoset with Raisins and Dates

A Sephardic charoset made with raisins, dates, dried figs and almonds. This tasty spread is delicious on matzoh for Passover.

My husband, Isaac, is Jewish and over the years of being together I’ve had a lot of fun learning about Jewish traditions, participating in Jewish holidays and enjoying lots of amazing Jewish food!

With Passover right around the corner, I thought it would be appropriate to share a traditional Passover dish that my mother-in-law (aka Bubbie) makes every year, Sephardic charoset.

What is Charoset?

Charoset is a sweet, brown, pebbly paste of fruits and nuts, representing the mortar used by the Jewish slaves to build cities in Egypt. The mixture varies depending on region.

For instance, a typical charoset recipe from Eastern Europe would include nuts, chopped apples, cinnamon and sweet wine whereas the Sephardic recipe is thicker and contains ingredients native to the Middle East such as raisins, figs and dates.

I’ve had several different varieties of charoset and liked them all, however being a dried fruit lover, I absolutely love the Sephardic version.

Luckily Bubbie was willing to share her recipe so I could make it myself (and share it with you)!! 

Ingredients for Sephardic Charoset

The ingredient list for charoset is pretty minimal! Here’s what you’ll need:

• a combination of raisins, medjool dates, dried figs – if the dates seem dry, you can soak them in water for 5-10 minutes to rehydrate before using.
• almonds – this is what I typically use, but you can also use pecans or walnuts
• applesauce – look for unsweetened applesauce if you’re using store-bought our make your own using my easy recipe
• sweet red wine or fruit juice – Manischewitz wine is what the recipe calls for, but I have used pomegranate juice, as well as, cherry juice and both worked great.

How to Make Charoset:

For this charoset, you’ll need a food processor or blender because the mixture is blended into a paste rather than just chopped. Here’s how to make it:

1. Process nuts and dried fruit: Add nuts, raisins, dates, figs and applesauce into the food processor and process until combined, gently adding wine/juice as you grind to help keep it moving.

Pulse: Pulse until the mixture looks like a coarse paste. Remove the charoset from the processor and place it into a bowl or container.

Enjoy: Serve as a spread for matzoh.

How to Serve Charoset

Charoset is traditionally served at the Passover Seder and used as a spread on matzoh, but that doesn’t mean you have to be Jewish to enjoy it.

Maybe it’s the fruit and nut lover in me, but I honestly think this spread would be delicious on just about anything.

I already have plans to add the charoset to my oatmeal and yogurt bowls this week. It would also be phenomenal on a cheese plate or charcuterie board. The possibilities are endless.

How to Store Charoset

Refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for later use. The charoset should last for 5-7 days in the fridge.  This recipe makes about 3.5 cups so if you’re only making it for a small family, you could easily halve the recipe.

More Passover-Friendly Recipes:

• Coconut Macaroons
• Chocolate Coconut Macaroons
• Easy Fruit Salad
• Israeli Salad
• Healthy Passover Recipes

If you make this charoset recipe please be sure to leave a comment and star rating letting me know how it turns out for you! Your feedback is super helpful for the EBF team and other EBF readers. 

Bubbie's Charoset

Brittany Mullins

A Sephardic charoset made with raisins, dates, dried figs and almonds. This spread is lovely on matzoh!

5 from 2 votes

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Prep Time 10 mins

Course Spread

Cuisine Jewish

Servings 3 1/2 cups

Calories 162 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 cup raw almonds you can also use pecans or walnuts
• 2 cups raisins
• 4 oz medjool dates about 7, pitted
• 4 dried figs
• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 or 2 Tablespoon of sweet red wine or fruit juice I used pomegranate juice

Instructions

 

• Process nuts and dried fruit: Add nuts, raisins, dates, figs and applesauce into the food processor and process until combined, gently adding wine/juice as you grind to help keep it moving.
• Transfer: Once the mixture is fully combined and looks like a coarse paste, remove the charoset from the processor and place it into a bowl or container.
• Enjoy: Serve as a spread for matzoh.
• Store: Refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for later use. It should last at least 5-7 days in the fridge.

Notes

• Dates: If your dates seem dry, you can soak them in water for 5-10 minutes to rehydrate before using.
• Almonds: If you don't have almonds, you can use pecans or walnuts instead.
• Halving the recipe: This recipe makes about 3.5 cups so if you're only making it for a small family, you could easily half the recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 162kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 3gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 8mgFiber: 3gSugar: 17g

Keyword charoset

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