Homemade Chocolate Hanukkah Gelt with Apricot Almond Topping
Rich, smooth chocolate coins decorated with dried apricot pieces and toasted almonds, perfect for celebrating Hanukkah. This middle eastern-inspired hanukkah ready in about 25 minutes pairs semi-sweet chocolate chips, chopped dried apricots, toasted sliced almonds for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 110 calories and feeds 12, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.
Ingredients
- 8 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup, chopped dried apricots
- 2 tbsp, toasted sliced almonds
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
Instructions
- Step 1: In a heatproof bowl, combine 8 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips and 1 tbsp coconut oil. Melt gently over a double boiler or in 30-second bursts in the microwave, stirring between each until smooth and glossy.
- Step 2: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a tablespoon, spoon out the melted chocolate into coin shapes about 2 inches in diameter, smoothing the tops with the back of the spoon.
- Step 3: Immediately sprinkle each chocolate coin with 1/4 cup chopped dried apricots and 2 tbsp toasted sliced almonds evenly distributed over all coins.
- Step 4: Refrigerate the chocolate coins for at least 20 minutes until fully set and firm before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Homemade Chocolate Hanukkah Gelt with Apricot Almond Topping take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (15 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Homemade Chocolate Hanukkah Gelt with Apricot Almond Topping?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep semi-sweet chocolate chips from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Homemade Chocolate Hanukkah Gelt with Apricot Almond Topping?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Homemade Chocolate Hanukkah Gelt with Apricot Almond Topping for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Homemade Chocolate Hanukkah Gelt with Apricot Almond Topping?
Middle Eastern hanukkah like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
My wife's family loved these gelt as a Hanukkah gift. The chocolate held perfectly and the topping was elegant.
- ★★★★★
Loved it! My kids thought the gelt were 'magic' and the apricot-almond combo was a perfect Hanukkah twist.
- ★★★★☆
Made these for my family's menorah lighting. The almond topping added a lovely Middle Eastern touch, though they took longer to set than the recipe said.
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