5 Sweet Ideas for your Passover Seder

Passover commemorates the liberation of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. It is a time when certain dietary restrictions, known as "kosher for Passover" rules, are observed, which affect the types of ingredients that can be used in desserts. Passover desserts are typically made without leavening agents such as yeast, baking powder, or baking soda, as these are forbidden during Passover.

Passover desserts are also usually free of grains that can ferment and rise, such as wheat, barley, rye, spelt, and oats, which are known as "chametz" and are prohibited during Passover. Instead, Passover desserts often rely on alternative flours and ingredients that are allowed, such as almond flour, coconut flour, matzo meal (unleavened bread), potato starch, and nut-based ingredients.

Passover desserts can be creative and delicious, despite the limitations, and are enjoyed by families as part of the Passover tradition. The restrictions in fact are what makes the holiday’s sweets so special.

Here are some ideas that are clever and out-of-the-box for you to incorporate into your seder!

Matzah Placecard Holders
This is a sweet way to welcome your guests to their seats at the seder. Using a piping bag full of melted chocolate, we write each guest’s name on a piece of matzah.

Charoset cake
This Passover twist on an apple cake incorporates one of the key components from the seder plate. Charoset -- a mixture of apples and nuts that represents the mortar that the Jewish people used to build the pyramids when slaves in Egypt -- has tremendous symbolic significance on the Passover seder plate. This cake incorporates the delicious paste in between layers of almond cake batter.

Matcha Matzah Ice Box Cake
This is super simple, no bake dessert. This version evokes the classic Ice Box Cake concept but utilizes matzah instead of the classic wafers. Moreover, this recipe mixes matcha powder into whipped cream for a beautiful, fresh take on the dessert. In a plastic lined cake pan, use a spatula to layer the cream, matzah, and fruit. You are going to repeat these layers until you get to the top of the cake pan. Keep it covered in the freezer so it does not dry out. Freeze it for at least 6 hours. So if you start now, you have enough time before sunset!

Matzah Bark Bar
This is the lowest lift in terms of preparation… Put out matzah as well as: different melted chocolates, dried fruits, fresh fruits, nuts, salts, etc. Guests will enjoy making their own custom matzah dessert.

Macaroon Tower
Probably the most iconic Passover dessert is the macaroon. You can bake macaroons or buy them in several different flavors. I like this presentation because it can also double as a centerpiece for your table that evokes the Egyptian pyramids. All you need is a Styrofoam cone from the craft store and some toothpicks. It might also be a fun activity for children to assemble

Happy Passover!