The Best Chocolates for Hanukkah
Chocolate shavings by Jody Horton
As a kid, I couldn’t wait for Hanukkah. The presents, the dreidels, the delicious food. Back then gelt was as good as it could get, but as a food writer and chocolate expert, these days my tastes are a little more … refined. Here are some of the delicious chocolate bars I use in my private tastings in NYC! (Sound like something you need to host for Hanukkah? Email me at megan@chocolatenoise.com to learn more!)
Actually Good Gelt
Step up your dreidel game prizes with dark chocolate with sea salt and dark chocolate with cocoa nibs, or good-old milk chocolate. Chicago-based chocolatier Meghan Ryan uses high-quality Guittard Chocolate and embosses each coin with a design from Judean coins from 40 BC. Plus it’s all kosher certified!
Chocolate gelt made by EH Chocolatier
Li-Lac is the oldest chocolate house in NYC, and their gourmet chocolate coins are both kosher certified and wrapped in traditional-looking gold and silver foil.
This Vermont-based chocolatier makes some seriously delicious confections, and their dark or milk chocolate coins are top of the list. They come individually wrapped in copper foil, stamped with Lake Champlain’s logo on top.
Made by one of my favorite chocolatiers in the country, these beautiful “coins” come in flavors like candied ginger, candied orange, and dulce de leche with cocoa nibs. Each is decorated with a beautiful Hanukkah-themed design, a perfect reward for the winner of a round of dreidel. (Note: These are not kosher-certified.)
Festival Flavors
Compartes Donuts & Coffee Milk Chocolate Bar
This fun kosher-certified bar from Los Angeles-based chocolatier Compartes contains big hunks of donut to satisfy the sufganiyot lover in us all. Combined with creamy milk chocolate and coffee, it’s a seasonal winner for sure. Bonus points for packaging so beautiful it looks like it’s already wrapped.
Askinosie Dark Chocolate + Red Raspberry Bar
Think of this kosher-certified bar as part of a deconstructed jelly donut for your next party. Askinosie brings the jam (made by American Spoon and incorporated into their decadent dark chocolate), you bring the donut and the appetite. The company is passionate about social justice and committed to changing the lives of cacao farmers for the better.
Chuao Chocolatier Potato Chip Chocolate
It’s not Hanukkah without latkes! OK, OK, potato chips aren’t exactly the same, but I promise you’ll love this addictive bar from Chuao Chocolatier. Kosher milk chocolate plus potato chips plus sea salt equals amazing.
Hanukkah Party Ideas
Kosher Chocolate Tasting in NYC
This year, your Hanukkah party one to remember with a guided chocolate tasting with yours truly! If you haven’t heard of bean-to-bar chocolate, you’re in for a treat. Like with the craft beer and specialty coffee movements, artisans are now making chocolate from scratch, starting with whole cocoa beans, with a focus on flavor and quality. I’m obsessed and even wrote a whole book on this topic! At this interactive tasting, you’ll enjoy fresh cacao fruit juice, roasted cocoa beans, and so many delicious chocolates with a Hanukkah theme. Contact me at megan@chocolatenoise.com to learn more!
Kosher Chocolate-and-Wine Pairing in NYC
Chocolate and fortified wines like port are a match made in heaven! Elevate your Hanukkah party this year with a guided tasting of both. I judge the International Chocolate Awards and the Northwest Chocolate Festival Awards, and I’ll teach your family and friends how to taste like an expert as we work our way through multiple chocolates and wines. Best of all, this can all be enjoyed in the comfort of your home! I bring the supplies, you bring the appetite. Contact me at megan@chocolatenoise.com to learn more!
(Note: This post contains affiliate links.)