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    Home » Recipes » Jewish Recipes

    Apple and Cranberry Charoset for Passover

    Published: Mar 20, 2021 · Modified: Oct 30, 2022 by Samantha Ferraro · This post may contain affiliate links · 17 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Apple and cranberry Passover charoset is tart and fruity, mixed with pomegranate seeds and a touch of honey for sweetness.

    Apple and cranberry Passover charoset is tart and fruity, mixed with pomegranate seeds and a touch of honey for sweetness.

    Passover Charoset Recipe

    This is my mom’s charoset recipe. Every Passover as a kid, she would make charoset, of course. I remember dunking my matzo into the chunky apple mixture and I knew I couldn’t stop. It is sweet, tart and crunchy.

    This apple and cranberry charoset is full of fresh ingredients with just a touch of sweetness from honey. Mom told me to add fresh, whole cranberries (not dried) which gives it a gorgeous color and perfect tart-puckery flavor. I then mellowed the tartness with some honey, fresh orange juice and snappy pomegranate seeds.

    What Does  Charoset Represent?

    Charoset represents the “mud” that the Jews would stomp in to make the clay for building. Anything goes in charoset, apples, fruit, dried fruit, you name it. I’ve even seen charoset truffles and dried fruit charoset, chunky charoset, you name it, there’s a charoset for it.

    Apple and Cranberry Charoset for Passover via LittleFerraroKitchen.com

    A Quick Passover History Lesson

    The holiday of Passover is a very well known one with most religions. Passover or “Pesach” in Hebrew is the celebration of the Jews exiting from Egypt. In addition, Pass-over literally means that. When God was slaying the 1st born son of Egyptian families, he would “pass-over” Jewish homes. With Passover, comes the festive dinner, called a seder where 6  items are displayed on a seder plate, each representing something significant.

    A hard boiled egg represents fertility and renewal, marror  or bitter herb (usually horseradish) symbolizes the bitterness the Jews had to go through in slavery.

    Charoset, as mentioned previously represents the mud used, a shank bone represents the lamb that was sacrificed because the Jews had to paint the blood of the lamb around their door so that God would “pass over”.

    Karpas, another bitter herb (usually parsley) is dipped into salt water and also represents the bitterness and tears hat the slaves endured. And finally, hazaret, which is another bitter green is used to represent the bitterness that he slaves went through, usually lettuce.

    Apple and cranberry Passover charoset is tart and fruity, mixed with pomegranate seeds and a touch of honey for sweetness.

    More Passover Favorites

    • Matzo Almond Fruit Crumble
    • Passover Charoset Three Ways: Tropical, Persian and tex-Mex
    • Slow Cooker Brisket
    • Lemon Saffron Matzo Ball Soup

    Apple and Cranberry Charoset

    Samantha Ferraro

    LittleFerraroKitchen.com

    Apple and cranberry Passover charoset is tart and fruity, mixed with pomegranate seeds and a touch of honey for sweetness.
    5 from 15 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Marinating 20 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Appetizer, Side Dish
    Cuisine Jewish, Mediterranean
    Servings 12
    Calories 119 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 2 apples peeled and diced
    • 1 cup pomegranate seeds
    • 1 cup chopped walnuts
    • 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries, chopped
    • 1/2 orange zest and juice
    • 3/4 cup sweet red wine
    • 2 tablespoons honey

    Instructions
     

    • Combine all ingredients in a bowl and taste for seasoning. Allow to rest in refrigerator for at least 20 minutes so all flavors combine together.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 119kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 2gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 3mgPotassium: 160mgFiber: 2gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 190IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 25mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword charoset recipe, Passover charoset recipe
    Did you make this recipe?Let us know by leaving a comment and 5 star rating!

    This was was originally published March, 2013 and updated March, 2021 with nutritional information.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Helene Dsouza I Masala Herb says

      March 24, 2013 at 4:35 am

      5 stars
      Nice, these days I am craving for refreshing fruit salad type of dishes such as your charoset. I enjoyed reading through your post and learning more about the Jewish religion. For a very long time I had no idea what Passover was, it’s not common this side of the world.

      Reply
      • Samantha says

        March 24, 2013 at 7:11 am

        Oh yay I am so glad I told the story..I just said a quick version though 🙂

        Reply
    2. Renee says

      March 24, 2013 at 5:51 am

      5 stars
      Looks like it is time for me to try charoset for the first time.

      Reply
      • Samantha says

        March 24, 2013 at 7:11 am

        Yes! It is so easy! Happy Easter and Passover 🙂

        Reply
    3. Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says

      March 24, 2013 at 7:28 am

      5 stars
      I love this recipe! I just love cranberries and apples together! I’m bookmarking your recipe!

      Reply
    4. Jen @JuanitasCocina says

      March 24, 2013 at 8:09 am

      5 stars
      This was always my favorite part of Passover! Love your mom’s recipe!

      Reply
    5. Cindys Recipes and Writings says

      March 24, 2013 at 8:39 am

      5 stars
      This sounds good for anytime of year, Samantha!

      Reply
    6. Shannon @VillageGirlBlog says

      March 24, 2013 at 9:32 am

      5 stars
      This looks beautiful and tasty! Thank you for sharing the recipe and the tradition behind your dish.

      Reply
    7. Sarah says

      March 24, 2013 at 11:01 am

      5 stars
      Wow, if I had had this growing up I would have had a totally different perception of this dish!

      Reply
    8. Sherron@SimplyGourmet says

      March 24, 2013 at 12:26 pm

      5 stars
      I love being introduced to new dishes and this sounds amazing. I love that it has a story to go along with it too. Food takes on a whole new meaning if and when it symbolizes something of importance. Thank you for sharing this recipe and information.

      Reply
    9. Diana @GourmetDrizzles says

      March 24, 2013 at 1:20 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you so much for sharing this lovely post. I enjoyed learning more about the meaning of Passover, and this traditional dish! Sounds very good! 😉

      Reply
    10. Bea says

      March 24, 2013 at 2:51 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you so much for sharing the short version of the Passover holiday. Your Apple and Cranberry Charoset looks {and sounds} so good.

      Reply
    11. Liz says

      March 24, 2013 at 3:48 pm

      5 stars
      We used to eat a “seder” dinner on Holy Thursday with another Catholic family. Our charoset wasn’t too appealing…but this was back in the 70’s before you could look up recipes on the Internet. I remember it having chopped apples, walnuts and cinnamon. Yours looks SO much better! Wishing you a Happy Passover!

      Reply
    12. Family Foodie says

      March 24, 2013 at 6:54 pm

      5 stars
      What a beautiful post with a gorgeous recipe. I love being introduced to new traditions and recipes through #SundaySupper

      Reply
    13. Katie says

      March 25, 2013 at 8:36 am

      5 stars
      Charoset sounds delicious! I love the fruit combination in yours…yum!

      Reply
    14. Beryl Shore says

      March 24, 2021 at 7:07 pm

      5 stars
      Yum! I will have to try your mom’s charoset recipe! However, I laughed when I saw that delicious-looking but treif recipe right beneath! Are you testing me?

      Reply
      • Samantha says

        March 24, 2021 at 7:43 pm

        Hi Beryl! Thank you for the comment..this was a very old post where other bloggers linked in and some are yes, not kosher. I will be updating the post very soon!!

        Reply

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