We’re just under a week out from one of Judaism’s most delicious holidays! Yes, that’s right – Shavuot, aka the holiday of cheesecake, is upon us.
Starting at sunset on Sunday, June 1, and concluding at sundown on Tuesday, June 3, this springtime holiday – which falls seven weeks after the second Passover seder – celebrates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, but it’s equally well known as the holiday of dairy foods.
While it’s not entirely clear where this tradition comes from – some believe it is derived from the biblical assurance that the land of Israel is a land “flowing with milk and honey,” while others hold that it’s because the Israelites at Mount Sinai discovered that their previously prepared meat could no longer be eaten, since it was not prepared in accordance with the newly given dietary laws, and instead, they ate dairy food.
Either way, cheesecake, blintzes, and dairy kugels have become popular Shavuot treats. But there are so many more delicious ways to celebrate this holiday – including plenty of options for those of you who are vegan or can’t do dairy. Read on for a roundup of recipes guaranteed to make your Shavuot as delicious as it is meaningful.
Gruyère-Stuffed Crusty Loaves from King Arthur Flour
There are no words for how delicious these Gruyère-stuffed loaves – which you can easily transform into single-serving cheese rolls – are.
Vegan Cashew Halvah Cheesecake by Nosh with Micah
If you’re dairy-free or vegan, this just might be the cheesecake for you!. It’s a cross between halvah and cheesecake, and easy to make to boot – what could be better?
Blueberry Cheesecake Buns by @sivanskitchen
These blueberry cheesecake buns look simply divine, and coming from Instagram favorite @sivanskitchen I’m sure they taste even better!
Cardamom, Date, and Rosewater Challah from Little Ferraro Kitchen
Shavuot is also known as the Festival of Roses, and some Sephardi communities have a tradition of eating dishes made with rosewater – like this mouthwatering challah swirled with Mediterranean flavors of cardamom, dates, pistachios, and rosewater.
Shafoot (Cold Yogurt Soup Over Flatbread) from Asif
If you want to try something different this Shavuot, how about shafoot, a Yemeni dish of flatbreads topped with a savory yogurt soup?
Raspberry Rose Semolina Cake from West of the Loop
This luxe cake brings together the greatest hits of Shavuot cuisine – dairy AND roses – for a delectable taste sensation.
Ricotta-Tomato Galette by Adeena Sussman
Ok, so it might be a little early to start celebrating summer tomatoes – but this galette, featuring flaky dough, juicy tomatoes, and lemony ricotta – is so perfect for ringing in both Shavuot and the beginnings of summer produce season.
Macaroni and Cheese from Saveur
This delectable dish from Bertha’s Kitchen in Charleston, South Carolina, is Emily from Team LJL’s holy grail mac and cheese recipe. If you love your macaroni and cheese with some serious crunch on top, you won’t regret giving this a try.
Marzipan-Filled Cigars from Asif
These marzipan-filled cigars, fried and dipped in honey syrup, are an Algerian Shavuot treat – and how decadent do they sound?!
Dairy-Free Cashew Alfredo Sauce from Something Nutritious
If you’re craving a cheesy pasta dish but need a dairy-free alternative, we’ve got you: this creamy alfredo sauce is made with a mixture of raw cashews, nutritional yeast, fresh garlic, and vegan butter.
No-Bake Cheesecake from @ruhamasfood
Last but certainly not least, if you don’t have time for a big baking project but don’t want to miss out on your seasonal cheesecake fix, why not try this easy no-bake cheesecake from @ruhamasfood?
If you’ve got something special planned for your Shavuot menu, I’d love to hear about it in the comments!