Hanukkah Gelt Cookies
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Last updated on Dec 02, 2024
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These Hanukkah gelt cookies include a peanut butter cookie base with a chocolate gelt coin pressed on top! They come together in about 15 minutes with only 6 ingredients!
My healthy peanut butter blossoms are a favorite in our household during the holidays so this year I thought it would be fun to make Hanukkah cookies by topping each cookie with a piece of chocolate gelt. They turned out so cute and are such a fun and easy treat to make. My kids absolutely loved them.
Table of Contents
Why You Gotta Try These Hanukkah Cookies
- Easy to make – These cookies come together in one bowl with just 6 simple ingredients!
- Delicious – The combo of peanut butter + chocolate = chef’s kiss!
- Festive – With the chocolate gelt coin pressed into the center of these cookies they make for a fun treat to celebrate Hanukkah.
Ingredients Needed
- peanut butter – this is the base of our cookies. I recommend using a natural, drippy peanut butter with one or two ingredients (peanuts and salt).
- coconut sugar – adds a natural sweetness and a slight caramel-like flavor, complementing the peanut butter.
- egg – acts as a binding agent, ensuring the cookies hold their shape and texture.
- vanilla extract – a dash of vanilla enhances the overall flavor profile of the cookies.
- baking soda – helps the cookies rise slightly, giving them a perfect texture.
- chocolate gelt – instead of chocolate kisses like classic peanut butter blossoms we’re using chocolate gelt coins.
Substitutions & Notes
- Nut butter variations: If you prefer a different nut flavor, you can substitute peanut butter with almond butter, cashew butter, or even sunflower seed butter for a nut-free version.
- Vegan adaption: I haven’t tried using a flax egg for this recipe yet, but I’m sure it would work well! For a dairy-free chocolate option, choose vegan chocolate coins or any other vegan chocolate pieces.
- Sugar alternatives: If coconut sugar isn’t available or preferred, you can substitute it with an equal amount of brown sugar or granulated white sugar.
How to Make Hanukkah Cookies
Making these Hanukkah cookies is simple and fun! With just a few steps, you’ll have soft, chewy cookies topped with melted chocolate gelt that are perfect for celebrating the season.
Step 1: Preheat your oven and line a baking tray with parchment paper. Add peanut butter, coconut sugar, egg (or flaxseed egg), vanilla, and baking soda to a bowl.
Step 2: Mix the ingredients until a dough forms. Scoop out dough with a tablespoon, roll into balls.
Step 3: Place cookie dough balls an inch apart on the tray. Bake the cookies for 9-10 minutes. They should be just set and slightly golden when done.
Step 4: As soon as you take the cookies out of the oven, while they are still warm, gently press a piece of chocolate gelt into the center of each cookie.
Recipe Tips
- To ensure even baking, try to make all cookie balls the same size. A cookie scoop can be very helpful for this.
- Keep an eye on the cookies as they bake. They should be just set and not too hard as they will continue to firm up after being removed from the oven.
- Press the chocolate gelt into the cookies as soon as they come out of the oven. The heat will slightly melt the chocolate, helping it stick to the cookie.
- Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet so the chocolate gelt sets properly.
How to Store These Cookies
At room temperature: Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days.
In the fridge: For longer storage, keep them in an airtight sealed container in the fridge for up to one week.
In the freezer: These cookies freeze well. Place them in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or in the fridge when ready to enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
The cookies should look set on the edges and slightly soft in the center. They’ll continue to firm up as they cool, so don’t overbake!
Nope! This dough comes together quickly and doesn’t require chilling, so you can roll and bake right away.
Gelt, traditionally coins, symbolizes the freedom and perseverance of the Jewish people after the Maccabean Revolt. Over time, real coins were replaced with chocolate coins, which are now a sweet way to celebrate Hanukkah’s history and traditions. They’re often used in games like dreidel or given as festive treats!
More Healthy Cookie Recipes to Make
- Healthy No Bake Cookies
- Gluten-Free Sugar Cookies
- Snowball Cookies
- Almond Butter Espresso Cookies
- Gluten-Free Snickerdoodles
- Almond Flour Crescent Cookies
- Oatmeal Date Cookies
Be sure to check out all of the healthy cookie recipes as well as the full collection of my healthy desserts.
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.
Hanukkah Gelt Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1 cup coconut sugar
- 1 egg, or 1 flaxseed egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- High quality chocolate gelt coins
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, mix the peanut butter, sugar, egg, vanilla and baking soda until well combined.
- Scoop 1 Tablespoon of the cookie dough, roll into a ball and set about 1 inch apart onto ungreased baking sheets.
- Bake for 9-10 minutes. Remove from oven and immediately press a chocolate gelt into each cookie. Allow to cool completely. The chocolate will harden as it cools.
Notes
- Peanut butter: Feel free to substitute the peanut butter with almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter for a nut-free option.
- Storage: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days or in the fridge for up to one week. For longer storage, freeze them in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers for up to 3 months, and thaw at room temperature or in the fridge before enjoying.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
