Homemade Chocolate Hanukkah Gelt with Apricot Almond Topping

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 12 Middle Eastern cuisine 110 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Step 4: Refrigerate the chocolate coins for at least 20 minutes until fully set and firm before serving.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

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

Related recipes