Apple and Walnut Charoset for Passover

This Apple and Walnut Charoset is a sweet, crunchy mixture of apples, walnuts, cinnamon and red wine with a bright pop of citrus and dried cranberries. It's a classic Passover staple that's easy to make and full of sweet-tart flavor.

About This Recipe

Charoset is a chunky mixture of fruit, nuts and wine that is traditionally served as part of the Passover seder.

Every family has their own version, but the heart of it is always the same. A chunky mixture of fruit, nuts and something sweet to bring it all together. I also share three fun charoset variations including a tropical charoset inspired by my years in Hawaii.

This classic version is inspired by my mom's charoset she made every Passover when I was growing up. Hers included fresh cranberries for a bold tart bite, but over the years, I’ve updated her recipe and substituted dried cranberries, which add a delicious sweet-tart flavor and are easy to find year-round as well.

I also love serving apple charoset with a savory bite of chicken liver pâté on top of matzo.

Passover and the Seder Plate

Passover, or Pesach in Hebrew, celebrates the Jewish people's liberation from slavery in Egypt, as told in the biblical story of the Exodus.

The name “Passover” refers to the final plague in Egypt, when the Angel of Death passed over the homes of the Israelites, sparing their firstborn children.

Passover begins with a festive meal called the seder, where family and friends gather to retell. During the seder, six symbolic foods are placed on a seder plate, each representing a part of the story and the experience of slavery and freedom.

Charoset is one of those symbolic foods, which represents the mortar used by enslaved Jews to make bricks while building in Egypt.

• Charoset – represents the mortar used for building
• Maror (bitter herbs) – symbolizes the bitterness of slavery
• Karpas (parsley or greens) – dipped in saltwater to represent tears
• Zeroa (shank bone) – symbolizes the Passover sacrifice
• Beitzah (egg) – represents renewal and the cycle of life

These symbolic foods help tell the story of the Jewish people's journey to freedom.

📋 Ingredients

• Apples: Look for sweet, crisp apples such as Pink Lady, Honeycrisp or Fuji which have a lovely sweetness and hold their shape well. Dice them into small cubes so the charoset sits easily on a piece of matzo.
• Walnuts: Walnuts are classic in charoset and even if they come pre-chopped, I like to give them another rough chop so the pieces are small and evenly distributed.
• Dried Cranberries: Dried cranberries add a sweet-tart bite and beautiful color. If they're large or extra plump, give them a quick chop.
• Orange: Fresh orange zest and juice work so well with the apples and cinnamon and brightens the mixture nicely.
• Sweet Red Wine: Sweet kosher red wine such as Manischewitz is traditional and gives charoset its signature flavor. If using a drier red wine,  add a bit more honey.
• Honey: Honey sweetens the mixture and ties everything together. The amount can be adjusted depending on how sweet your apples or wine are.
• Cinnamon: Just a touch of cinnamon adds warmth and depth.

See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

🍋 Substitutions and Variations

• Charoset is one of the most flexible recipes and there are endless variations depending on family tradition.
• Apples: Any crisp apple works well. Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala or Pink Lady are great options. You can also substitute part of the apples with firm pears such as Bosc or Anjou.
• Nuts: Walnuts are traditional, but pecans or chopped almonds also work beautifully.
• Wine Options: Sweet red wine is classic for charoset. If you prefer a less sweet red wine, add a bit more honey to balance the flavors.
• Non-Alcoholic Version: Substitute the wine with pomegranate juice or grape juice, both of which work very well and will give the charoset a delicious sweeter flavor.
• Cranberries: Fresh cranberries can be used instead of dried for a brighter, more tart flavor, which is how my mom always made it.
• Other Add-Ins:
  • chopped dates
  • dried apricots
  • raisins
  • pomegranate molasses
  • date molasses
  • a splash of orange blossom water

⏲️ Instructions

Dice the Apples: Chop the apples into small bite-sized cubes and add to a medium sized bowl.

Chop the Walnuts: Give the walnuts a good rough chop so there are no large pieces and add them to the bowl.

Mix the Charoset: Add the red wine, honey, orange zest and juice and cinnamon and give everything a good mix.

Marinate and Serve: Marinate the charoset for 30 minutes before serving.

📍 Recipe Tips

• Dice Everything Small: Cut all the ingredients into small bite-sized pieces so the charoset easily fits on a piece of matzo.
• Marinate: Let the charoset rest for at least 30 minutes before serving so the wine, citrus and honey can soak into the fruit.
• Adjust Sweetness: Depending on your apples and wine, you may want to add another drizzle of honey for added sweetness.
• Make Ahead: Charoset can be made up to 1–2 days ahead and stored in the refrigerator. The fruit will absorb more of the wine as it sits.

More Passover Favorites

Apple Walnut Charoset for Passover

Samantha Ferraro

LittleFerraroKitchen.com

This classic apple walnut charoset is a Passover staple made with dried cranberries, sweet red wine, citrus and honey. It’s sweet, crunchy and perfect for serving with matzo during the Passover seder.

5 from 16 votes

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Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Marinating 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, Side Dish

Cuisine Jewish, Mediterranean

Servings 10

Calories 141 kcal

Equipment

• ▢
  Nesting Bowls
• ▢
  Chef Knife
• ▢
  Microplane
• ▢
  Citrus Squeezer

Ingredients

 

US CustomaryMetric

 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 3 apples finely diced (about 2½–3 cups)
• ▢ 1 cup chopped walnuts
• ▢ ½ cup dried cranberries roughly chopped
• ▢ 1 small orange zest and juice
• ▢ ¾ cup sweet red wine
• ▢ 2-3 tablespoons honey
• ▢ 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions

 

• Add the diced apples, walnuts and chopped dried cranberries to a large bowl.
• Stir in the orange zest, orange juice, sweet red wine, honey and cinnamon. Mix well until everything is evenly combined.
• Taste and adjust sweetness with more honey if desired.
• Let the charoset rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving so the flavors meld together.
• Serve chilled or at room temperature with matzo.

Notes

• Dice the ingredients into small bite sized pieces. 
• Let the mixture rest at least 30 minutes so the fruit absorbs the wine and citrus.
• If using a dry red wine, add a bit more honey to balance the sweetness.
• For a non-alcoholic version, substitute pomegranate juice or grape juice.
• Charoset can be made 1–2 days ahead and stored in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Calories: 141kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 2gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 2mgPotassium: 139mgFiber: 3gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 38IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 21mgIron: 1mg

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