14 Adorable Hanukkah Cookie Recipes You’ll Want to Eat for Eight Days

Sally Jones
Dec 06, 2017

When it comes to Hanukkah, most people’s thoughts naturally turn to the feast. Latkes and sufganiyot top the list of fave foods. Cookies… not so much. Though cookie exchanges abound this time of year, they haven’t featured largely in Jewish tradition. But lately, cookie bakers have been upping their Hanukkah game, and the results will delight cookie lovers everywhere. From modern takes on rugelach; to gelt-chip cookies; to beautifully decorated dreidel-, menorah-, and donut-shaped confections; here are Hanukkah cookies you need on your holiday menu *right now.*

1. Hanukkah Iced Cookies: You don’t need a special cookie cutter to make decorated menorah cookies — any circle cutter or even an overturned glass works. Just cut the circle in half, then pipe on some festive color. (via Craftsy)

2. The Best Rugelach Cookies: These babies are buttery and flaky, with just the right amount of sweetness rolled up inside. Fill yours with anything you have on hand, from ground nuts and honey to peanut butter and chocolate. The secret is the blend of cream cheese and butter in the dough, which makes them SUPER tender. (via The Kitchn)

3. Iced Sugar Cookies: This one’s for all you cookie bakers who’ve been yearning to show off your pastry piping talent. And don’t shy away from putting your Hebrew writing skills to the test — eating the mistakes is half the fun! (via Suburbs Mama)

4. Glitter Ball Cookies: These rolled cookies hide a sweet surprise — they’re stuffed with creamy ginger filling. The sanding sugar in shades of silver and blue make them perfect for your Hanukkah table. (via Martha Stewart)

5. Hanukkah Jelly Cookies: If you’ve got little helpers in the kitchen at holiday time, this is the perfect cookie to make. Kids will get a kick out of spreading jam on the full circles and sprinkling sugar on the cutouts, then sandwiching them together for a magical effect. (via Living Sweet Moments)

6. Red Velvet Rugelach: If you thought you couldn’t improve on rugelach, the world’s most perfect cookie, prepare to be proven wrong. This red velvet version has cream cheese in the dough and in the filling. Double cream cheese for the win! (via What Jew Wanna Eat)

7. Cardamon-Scented Hanukkah Cookies by Jamie Geller: Some sugar cookies, while fun to make, can be a bit bland. A touch of cardamom in this dough makes these cookies real stars. Pile them up on your party tray and watch ’em go. (via Jewish News Service)

8. Chanukah Star Cookies: These cookies are airbrushed with a pearl shimmer that gives them a special holiday glow. But it’s the dairy-free cookie recipe that really shines through. Your guests will never miss a thing. (via Li’l Miss Cakes)

9. Melt-in-Your-Mouth Hanukkah Gelt Cookies: Start with a melt-in-your-mouth cookie dough that’s rich with cream cheese, then press a gelt coin right in the middle. These cookies are a treasure for the eyes — and the taste buds. (via Overtime Cook)

10. Hanukkah Cookies: These cookies are perfect for any one of the eight festival nights — or why not all? But you’d better be prepared to make them year after year, because after one bite, everyone in the house will be hooked. (via Leite’s Culinaria)

11. Stripey Chanukah Cookie: Calling all beginner cookie bakers! These easy chocolate cookies require no advanced cookie decorating skills; just drizzle the icing in any old pattern and they’ll look perfectly festive and taste delish. (via Chai and Home)

12. Elegant Hanukkah Cookies: A simple color palette of blue, white, and silver gives these cookies an ethereal beauty. They’re perfect for gifting your BFF. (via Li’l Miss Cakes)

13. Chocolate Doughnut Cookies: You know that donuts are SO on trend right now. Everyone at the table will go crazy when they see a whole tray of cookies decorated in a plethora of donut flavors. (via Joy of Kosher)

14. Cookie Menorah: These gorgeous candle-shaped cookies will be the star of the dessert table at your holiday gathering. Bonus: They make a killer centerpiece to light up your festive tablescape. (via Camille Styles)

If you just love these new takes on Hanukkah recipes, follow us on Pinterest for more.

Another TayVis Holiday Movie Is Coming (Yes, Really)

In case you missed it, a new rom-com following a pair that bears a great resemblance to the internet's favorite “It” couple is coming to Lifetime for the holidays! Although the film isn’t technically inspired by Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s love story per se, the story line is quite uncanny to their high profile romance (but more on that later). From the release date to the plot, here's everything we know about Lifetime’s Christmas in the Spotlight. Read up on Hallmark's Holiday Touchdown — and the Kelce who joined the cast!

  • Lifetime's Christmas in the Spotlight is a new holiday movie premiering this November.
  • The movie follows a popstar who starts dating a pro football player after they meet at one of her concerts.
  • The film stars Jessica Lord, Laith Wallschleger, Jeannie Mai, and Haley Kalil.

What is Christmas in the Spotlight about?

Lifetime/A&E

Christmas in the Spotlight Plot

Set to be a part of the network's “It’s a Wonderful Lifetime” lineup, which officially starts November 16, Christmas in the Spotlight follows a famous pop star named Bowyn (Jessica Lord), who always sings about falling in love, but has yet to find The One. Right when she's given up on finding Prince Charming, sparks fly when she meets a handsome professional football player named Drew (Laith Wallschleger) after one of her shows. However, they don’t start dating until after Drew publicly declares his feelings for Bowyn. Sound familiar?

The movie synopsis continues, “With each passing day they spend together, their feelings grow stronger…but can it last in the limelight, especially when they both have such hectic schedules? With people questioning if their feelings for each other are real or just for show, the pressure mounts from the press, paparazzi, their fans and even their family.” I need this on my screen now!!!

Is there a trailer for Christmas in the Spotlight?

Well, no. (At least, not yet). But there is a preview teaser for Lifetime’s “It’s a Wonderful Lifetime” lineup, which features numerous clips from the upcoming Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce-esque holiday film Christmas in the Spotlight. In the first few seconds of the teaser, co-stars Jessica Lord and Laith Wallschleger can be seen gleefully walking side by side while surrounded by holiday decor. Meanwhile, another clip shows Lord’s Bowyn wearing a blue football jersey. Now, if that’s not TayVis-coded, then I don’t know what is.

When is Christmas in the Spotlight coming out?

Christmas in the Spotlight Release Date

Be sure to mark your calendars because Christmas in the Spotlight is scheduled to debut on Lifetime November 23, 2024, at 8 PM ET/PT. Let the countdown begin!

Where can I watch Christmas in the Spotlight?

Lifetime/A&E

If you can’t catch the premiere on Lifetime, then don’t worry because we have you covered! After the movie premieres on the Lifetime channel, Christmas in the Spotlight will be available to watch on TVE/VOD in addition to the Lifetime Movie Club.

Who’s in the cast of Christmas in the Spotlight?

Lifetime/A&E

Christmas in the Spotlight Cast

Aside from Lord and Wallschleger, Christmas in the Spotlight stars former The Real talk show host Jeannie Mai, who will portray Bowyn’s manager. But she won’t be the only familiar face in the ensemble cast. And if you’re constantly on TikTok, then you may recognize TikTok influencer Haley Kalil, who, according to People, is set to make her onscreen debut as Drew’s sister-in-law, Nicole.

Stay tuned for more updates about Christmas in the Spotlight and 2024 Christmas movies — & follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

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“Protective” Peter Gallagher Is “So Grateful” Mischa Barton Survived “Toxic Fame”

No matter what kind of day you're having, Marissa Cooper's having a worse one. Mischa Barton's The O.C. character went through the ringer during the first three seasons of the teen drama (remember how she overdosed in Tijuana...and also saw her parents post-hookup after their divorce?).

And during her time on The O.C., Mischa Barton struggled with drug and alcohol abuse. She was arrested for a DUI in 2007 and eventually received involuntary psychiatric hospitalization in 2009 after allegedly threatening to end her own life. And in a new interview, Peter Gallagher (who played Sandy Cohen on the show) says he's "just so grateful" for "the fact that she’s still alive."

  • Mischa Barton starred alongside Peter Gallagher in The O.C. from 2003-2006.
  • The actress has revealed the "trauma" of being a star at that point in her life.
  • Peter recently opened up about how he's thankful "she’s still alive."


Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for FLC/John Lamparski/Getty Images

The O.C. follows Ryan Atwood, who moves in with the Cohens after getting kicked out of his mom's house, and starts a relationship with Marissa shortly after. While Peter Gallagher played Adam Brody's TV dad instead of Mischa's, Sandy was a definitely father figure for Marissa, and it seems like Peter felt that same responsibility off camera.

"I’ve always felt very protective of her," Peter told The Independent. "First fame is toxic. First fame can kill you. She was 16 years old when she started working with us, so just the fact that she’s still alive, I’m just so grateful."

“You can go to therapy every day for the rest of your life,” Mischa said in a 2023 interview with The Sunday Times. “There’s just a certain amount of trauma [from] all that I went through, particularly in my early twenties, that just doesn’t go away overnight.”

Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage revealed that season 1 overdose not only served as a cliffhanger, but gave “network executives an escape hatch on a performer they had been wary about” (via People). But Mischa Barton got her big break, becoming "how people knew the show," and (thankfully) Marissa recovered — only to die after a car crash in season 3.

As hard as that season 3 ending is to watch, Mischa did have the opportunity to watch it with Rachel Bilson and Melinda Clarke for the first time on their rewatch podcast. "It needed to be a thing, after everything she's been through, but if it's here I'll watch it with you," Mischa says.

"I couldn't do it, Mischa, I couldn't do it," Rachel adds. "But I'm going to do it if you're going to do it."

Mischa says even though being written off the show "was a little bit of a bummer," it wasn't necessarily a surprise. "The character was just doing too much," she told Vanity Fairin 2023. "And I think they ran out of places for her to go. It was not the best thing in the world, [but] there wasn’t much you could do at that point. It was whether she could sail off into the sunset, or die. At that point, I guess it’s better to have the more dramatic ending.”
What did you think of The O.C. season 3 finale? Let us know on Facebook!
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Stanley’s 2024 Holiday Collection Makes The Perfect Gift – But It’ll Sell Out Very Soon

It’s definitely not too early to start your holiday shopping, and Stanley’s got just the gift for everyone on your list. The brand is debuting their Comfort & Joy holiday collection on October 29, and it’s packed with practical drinkware pieces of all kinds in the coziest colors ever to help ring in the most wonderful time of the year. We’re super stoked about the wine set and rose gold-gilded Quenchers! The Stanley holiday collection is bound to sell out, so acquaint yourself with the entire edit below and scroll on for details on how to snag the pieces for yourself before they’re gone.

Our faves from the Comfort & Joy collection:

What's in the 2024 Stanley holiday collection?

Stanley

There are 16 pieces in Stanley's Comfort & Joy holiday collection, including the famed Quencher tumblers. There's also some fun sets designed for cocktails, wine, and hot beverages!

The main characters in the collection come in three cozy colors: Gilded Sugar (a very light pink), Gilded Pomegranate (deep red), and Gilded Celadon (light teal). Select drinkware is also shoppable in colors like Twilight Gloss (deep navy) and Gilded Marshmallow (stark white).

How do I shop the 2024 Stanley holiday collection?

Stanley

You can shop the Comfort & Joy collection online on Stanley's website starting October 29 at 9am PT. You can also shop it through this post once the collection is live. Sign up to get notified about the drop here!

See The Entire Stanley Holiday Collection Here

Stanley

The Holiday Quencher H2.0 FlowState 40-Ounce Tumbler

The gold and copper details on this classic Quencher make every sip feel super festive!

Stanley

The Holiday Quencher H2.O FlowState 30-Ounce Tumbler

You can also snag the same colorways in a 30-ounce size!

Stanley

The Holiday All Day Wine Set

Pour one out for you and your bestie with this travel-friendly wine set.

Stanley

The Holiday IceFlow Flip Straw Tumbler

This tumbler is easy to take to and from all the holiday gatherings you'll be attending this season. No shame if you fill it up with some wine.

Stanley

The Holiday Stay-Hot Camp Mug

Keep that tea, hot chocolate, or warm cocktail warm with this expertly-insulated mug that's prepped and ready for the holidays with three Stanley signature colors.

Stanley

The Holiday Stay-Chill Stacking Pint

This pint keeps its contents cold (or hot) for hours. Party time!

Stanley

The Holiday Stay-Chill Growler Set

Camping in the cold? Pour up a warming cocktail – or better yet, some soup into the growler and enjoy with a buddy using the coordinating Stanley cups.

Stanley

The Holiday Lifted Spirits Prismatic Craft Cocktail Set

Shake things up this holiday season with this easy-to-use trio. This would also make an excellent gift for the mixologist in your life!

Stanley

The Holiday Legendary Classic Bottle with Buddy Cups

This tightly-sealed bottle keeps liquids warm all day long so you can enjoy a comforting sip by the fire, even in the thick of winter.

Stanley

The Holiday IceFlow Bottle with Flip Straw Lid

Keep sippin' with this convenient insulated bottle that can help you tackle your morning commute with zero troubles.

Stanley

The Holiday Stanley Cross Bottle

The crossbody strap on this bottle lets you keep your bev close, no matter what you're drinking.

Stanley

The Holiday Stay Hot Camp Mug Set

The ideal set for outdoorsy couples, this duo of insulated mugs will join them on every single adventure!

Stanley

The Holiday All Day Slim Bottle

The perfect size for a purse or backpack, this slim bottle still has all the features you know and love from Stanley.

Stanley

The Holiday Quencher H2.0 Samesies Sip Set

This set would be so cute as a gift for a mom + daughter duo. The big size holds 40 ounces, while the smaller one holds 14 ounces of their favorite beverage.

Stanley

The Holiday Quencher Straws for 40-Ounce Tumblers

These straws were made to match the Stanley holiday collection perfectly! They're also available for 30-ounce tumblers.

Subscribe to our newsletter to shop more exciting holiday launches + gift ideas!

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See Dylan Sprouse & Barbara Palvin's Dreamy Halloween Costume: "My Forever"

Former Disney Channel star Dylan Sprouse and model Barbara Palvin are certainly living the sweet life after tying the knot in Palvin's native Hungary. The couple, who have been together for nearly five years, have always been pretty low-key — except for the occasional and undeniably adorable Instagram post (and a stunning wedding!). We are simply ~obsessed~ with this celebrity couple, especially after they pulled out all the stops for their couple's Halloween costume. Keep scrolling to see some of their best moments :').

See Dylan Sprouse & Barbara Palvin's Halloween Couple's Costume!

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A post shared by Barbara Palvin (@realbarbarapalvin)

For Halloween Dylan Sprouse and Barbara Palvin stunned as the Phantom and Christine from Phantom of the Opera. Dylan wore a mask and a black cape, while Barbara wore a beautiful white dress. While the costume is obviously a nod to the musical, it also totally reminds us of their day as bride and groom.

"In Sleep He Sang to Me," Barbara said in a post, quoting the musical's titular number. "@dylansprouse my forever Phantom."

Who did Dylan Sprouse marry?

www.instagram.com

On the couple's wedding day (July 15, 2023), Barbara wore a Vivienne Westwood wedding gown to celebrate her Hungarian nuptials, bringing together their nearest and dearest for an intimate(-ish) celebration. Barbara and Dylan tied the knot on her parent's property, which conveniently doubles as an event venue, with plans to host an larger wedding in California in the fall.

"This past weekend was supposed to be an intimate event, but we ended up having 115 guests in the end because there are a lot of people we care about, and we wanted them all to be there," Barbara told Vogue.

When did Dylan Sprouse and Barbara Palvin get engaged?

www.instagram.com

Barbara Palvin on Instagram: "♥️"

After months of speculation surrounding the couple's engagement, Dylan and Barbara confirmed their engagement in conversation with Sprouse's twin brother, actor Cole Sprouse, for V Magazine in June, sharing that they got engaged last September.

"We didn't necessarily feel the need to be fully transparent with the public about that aspect of our engagement," Dylan said. "What we wanted to do with Stephen [Gan, V editor-in-chief] and the V team is make something that was kind of tongue-in-cheek about the nature of private versus public. We're playing with the idea of perception."

Barbara noted that the lovebirds wanted to announce the news "on our time," adding, "When some people leaked the information that we got engaged, our PR team was like, 'Hey, so you guys should do maybe a post about it or talk to this magazine or talk to that magazine…' That really annoyed me because I knew we were building this story up. So, I'm very happy that we ended up doing it our way."

When did Barbara Palvin and Dylan Sprouse start dating?

Sean Zanni / Stringer / Getty Images Entertainment

See Dylan Sprouse & Barbara Palvin's Dreamy Halloween Costume: "My Forever"

According to People, the couple met back in 2017 after a party when the Suite Life On Deck star slid into the model’s DMs (and as they say, the rest is history). The duo made their relationship Instagram official back in 2018 with Barbara’s sweet birthday tribute for Dylan’s 26th birthday.

Let’s be real here for a second though, we all knew they were endgame the minute Dylan went above and beyond to support Barbara at the Victoria Secret Fashion Show that same year (remember this viral video?). Three days after the fashion show, the Hungarian model told Vogue Australia that she hadn’t had a boyfriend in six years, but had now found “the perfect guy” in Dylan (we aren’t crying, you are).

How old are Barbara Palvin and Dylan Sprouse?

Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images

Barbara Palvin was born on October 8, 1993, making her 31 years old. Dylan Sprouse was born on August 4, 1992, meaning he's 32 years old. So there's only a one-year age gap between them!

Stay up to date with all of Brit + Co's favorite celebrity relationships. Let us know your thoughts on Twitter!

This post has been updated.

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Elle & Dakota Fanning Will Collab On Apple's 'Margo's Got Money Troubles'

2017's The Beguiled gave us one of the best groups of people of all time: Elle Fanning, Nicole Kidman, Sofia Coppola, and Kirsten Dunst just to name a few. And we're finally getting an Elle and Nicole reunion thanks to Apple TV+! "THRILLED to bring @rufithorpe genius hysterical heart-wrenching heartwarming book to your TV screens alongside a dream group of people!" Elle says on Instagram. Rather than having to test the success of its pilot, the series has already been ordered — even though the book it's based on isn't even out yet! Here's everything you need to know about the series.

  • Dakota and Elle Fanning will produce the upcoming Apple TV+ show Margo's Got Money Troubles.
  • The series follows Margo, who signs up for OnlyFans after learning she's pregnant.
  • The cast includes Elle Fanning, Nicole Kidman, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Nick Offerman.

Who's in the Margo's Got Money Troubles cast?

Amy Sussman/Mike Coppola/Getty Images

Margo's Got Money Troubles Cast

We couldn't contain our excitement when we learned Margo's Got Money Troubles will star Nicole Kidman and Elle Fanning, but knowing Michelle Pfeiffer is also joining the cast is too much to bear! This is the first time the actress will collaborate with her husband, TV creator David E. Kelley, so we can't wait to see the magic they'll create (via Deadline).

Nick Offerman from The Last of Us and Parks and Rec will also star.

When is Margo's Got Money Troubles coming out?

Ron Lach/Pexels

Margo's Got Money Troubles Release Date

We don't have an official release date for Elle Fanning and Nicole Kidman's TV show yet. I'm thinking if the TV show is in the early stages of planning, we could see it in 2025! Check out all of this year's best New TV Shows to hold you over until then.

What is Margo's Got Money Troubles about?

Amazon

Margo's Got Money Troubles Plot

Margo Millet is the daughter of a Hooter's waitress named Shyanne (Michelle Pfeiffer) and an ex-wrestler (via Deadline). She's always had to make it on her own, even though she's not sure how. When she enrolls in her local junior college, she's totally unprepared to get swept up into a torrid love affair with her English professor — or to get pregnant.

Now at 20 years old, Margo needs an income and fast. She decides to experiment with OnlyFans and ends up taking some of her estranged father's advice from the world of wrestling to create a character users will fall in love with. You can order the book now!

What is Elle Fanning and Nicole Kidman's new TV show?

Tima Miroshnichenko/Pexels

Margo's Got Money Troubles is coming soon to Apple TV+ thanks to a bunch of different producers. A24 is backing the film, as well as Elle and Dakota Fanning’s production company Lewellen Pictures and Nicole Kidman’s Blossom Films, to name a few.

What else has Elle Fanning and Nicole Kidman starred in?

Focus Features

Elle Fanning and Nicole Kidman starred in 2017's The Beguiled. The movie follows John McBurney, an injured Union soldier, who winds up at a female Southern boarding school after deserting the Civil War. But soon, as the women help him, tensions turn to rivalries and friends turn to enemies.

Are you excited for Elle Fanning and Nicole Kidman's TV reunion? Let us know what other New TV Shows you're watching in the comments.

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This post has been updated.

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