Ingredients
Check off ingredients as you go
For version 1
- 2 apples (such as Gala)
- 1 pear
- 4 dates
- 4 prunes
- 50 g (⅓ cup) almonds (unsalted)
- 30 g (¼ cup) pistachios (or blanched unsalted hazelnuts)
- 3 whole cloves (if you like them)
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 100 ml (⅓ cup + 1 Tbsp) sweet wine or grape juice
For version 2
- 40 g (¼ cup) blanched almonds
- 6 pitted dates
- 1 matzo
- Sugar (to taste)
- 120 ml (½ cup) sweet wine (or grape juice)
For version 3
- 3 apples (such as Gala)
- 1 tsp light brown sugar
- 80-100 g (¾-1 cup) finely chopped walnuts
- 3 tsp honey
- 100-120 ml (⅓-½ cup) wine (sweet, or grape juice)
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
For version 4
- 4 Granny Smith apples
- Juice of 2 lemons
- 100 g (1 cup) chopped walnuts
- 150 g (1 cup) raisins (golden)
- 110 g (⅓ cup) honey
- 4 Tbsp sweet wine
For version 5, Alsatian-style
- 60 g (⅔ cup) almond flour
- 60 g (⅔ cup) ground hazelnuts
- 2-3 apples
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- Grape juice
Charoset: version 1
Peel and core the apples and the pear, then pulse briefly in a food processor or grate them. Do the same with the dates and prunes.
Put all the ingredients except the spices and sugar in a saucepan and cook over low heat for about 15 minutes. Add the spices and cook for about 5 minutes more. Pour in grape juice until you get the consistency you want.
Charoset version 2 - no-cook
Roughly chop the almonds, dates and matzo, then mix with the sugar and the wine (or grape juice), adding the liquid little by little until you reach the consistency you want. Transfer to a pretty ramekin and sprinkle with cinnamon if you like.
Charoset version 3 - no-cook
Mix the sugar and cinnamon.
Peel and core the apples, then chop them finely or grate them. Add the cinnamon-sugar mixture, then the honey and the wine, stirring until everything is well combined. Keep in a ramekin in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Charoset version 4 - no-cook
Grate the apples, add the lemon juice, walnuts and raisins, then the honey and the wine. Chill until serving.
Charoset version 5 - no-cook - Alsatian-style
Grate the apples, add the almond flour and ground hazelnuts, then the lemon zest and juice. Pour in grape juice until you get the consistency you want.
UPDATE: If you’re in a hurry, check out the quick charoset recipe, it’s delicious and very fast to make, with no cooking!
Tips and planning
Add the wine little by little: depending on the size of the apples, you’ll need more or less to get the right consistency.
If you’re using organic fruit, there’s no need to peel it.
Taste and adjust the quantities to your liking.