Charoset, an integral part of the Passover Seder, is a combination of fruit, nuts, spices, and wine meant to symbolize the mortar used by the enslaved Israelites in Egypt. There are countless variations on charoset from Jewish communities around the world, but this apple and walnut version is very typical of the style made by Ashkenazi Jews who hail from Eastern Europe. Whats interesting about this recipe is that it uses dry red wine and sugar, rather than the sweet wines often employed in similar charoset recipes. (If you do opt for a sweet concord grape wine such as Manischewitz, skip the sugar or at least reduce the quantity.)
“The charoset was delicious and could not have been easier. The combination of sweet Fuji apples, red wine, and cinnamon gave the charoset amazing flavor, while the nuts—I used walnuts—added texture. I used a food processor with the coarse shredding disc to shred the apples.” —Diana Rattray
Refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for later use. The charoset should last for 5-7 days in the fridge. This recipe makes about 3.5 cups so if you’re only making it for a small family, you could easily halve the recipe.
Steps to Make It
- Gather the ingredients.
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The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack - Fit a food processor with an “S” blade or shredding disc. Feed the apples through the feed tube, pulsing several times to chop or grate the apples as desired.
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The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack - Transfer the apples to a large bowl. Add the chopped nuts, sugar, wine, and cinnamon.
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The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack - Stir well to combine.
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The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack - Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Leftover charoset will keep, covered in the refrigerator, for four to five days.
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The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack
- If you dont have a kosher for Passover food processor, dont worry—you can still make this charoset. Simply chop the peeled apples finely by hand or grate them coarsely on a box grater. The texture of your charoset will vary, depending on whether you opt for chopping or grating. (Note that grated apples will take on more of the flavor of the wine and cinnamon than chopped apples).
- You can use any multipurpose apple (or a mix of varieties) to make charoset. Crunchy sweet-tart apples—such as Gala, Mutsu, or Pink Lady—are especially good.
- If youre lucky enough to have leftover charoset, think beyond the Seder meal, and enjoy it throughout the week. Its great on grilled fish or chicken, or as a condiment with cheese.
- For more texture and flavor, you may add some dried fruit to the apples. Add about 1/2 cup of raisins, dried cherries, or chopped dates to the shredded apples.
- Toast the walnuts or almonds for a more complex flavor.
- Dice the apples by hand if you prefer a chunkier texture.
How to Store Apple and Walnut Charoset
- Refrigerate leftover charoset in an airtight container and consume within 5 days.
- Apples become somewhat mushy when frozen, but freezing is an acceptable option if you plan to add leftover charoset in cakes, breads, or other baked goods. Transfer the charoset to an airtight freezer container or zip-close freezer bag. Label with the name and date and freeze for up to 6 months.
| Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
|---|---|
| 47 | Calories |
| 0g | Fat |
| 9g | Carbs |
| 0g | Protein |
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings: 20 | |
| Amount per serving | |
| Calories | 47 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| Total Fat 0g | 1% |
| Saturated Fat 0g | 0% |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 1mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 9g | 3% |
| Dietary Fiber 1g | 4% |
| Total Sugars 6g | |
| Protein 0g | |
| Vitamin C 0mg | 0% |
| Calcium 7mg | 1% |
| Iron 0mg | 1% |
| Potassium 71mg | 2% |
| *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. | |
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FAQ
Why do Jews eat charoset?
Can you freeze haroset?
What does the charoset sweet fruit paste represent?
What is charoset made from?
How long does charoset last in the fridge?
After a few minutes scrape down the sides with a spatula. Add the wine, cinnamon, agave nectar and process until the mixture is smooth. Feel free to add more dates, agave, cinnamon, apples, and walnuts to the charoset to your taste. The charoset can last in the fridge for about 7-10 days.
How long does charoset last?
Leftover charoset will last for about 2-3 days stored in the fridge. Store in an airtight container. What is the significance of Charoset? Charoset represents the mortar that the Israelite’s used to bond bricks when they were kept as slaves in Egypt.
Can charoset be made before serving?
The charoset can be made up to 3 days before serving and can be stored, covered, in the refrigerator. We love making it early and letting it soak up all the added flavor. This also reduces the strong wine flavor that you’ll notice when you make it initially. You can use grape juice if you don’t want to use a sweet wine!
How do you store charoset?
Store in an airtight container. What is the significance of Charoset? Charoset represents the mortar that the Israelite’s used to bond bricks when they were kept as slaves in Egypt. If you are interested in reading more about the significance of charoset and why it’s even on the Seder plate check out this site.