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Silan, also known as date syrup, is a rich, velvety sweetener made from pure dates. With its deep caramel flavor and subtle fruity undertones, silan is a perfect, all-natural alternative to refined sugar or honey. Not only is it indulgent, but it’s also a healthier choice, packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. And as we prepare for Rosh Hashanah, there’s an added significance: dates are one of the symbolic foods, or simanim, traditionally eaten on the holiday. It’s an ideal way to enhance your Rosh Hashanah desserts while still honoring the symbolism of sweetness for a prosperous new year.

In this indulgent recipe roundup, we’re showcasing Heaven & Earth’s silan’s decadent flavor with a collection of recipes that will take your Rosh Hashanah desserts to the next level. Whether drizzled over ice cream, or baked into cakes, silan adds an extra layer of sweetness that’s perfect for the new year. These desserts are not only delicious but carry the symbolism of abundance and sweetness for the year ahead—just what you need to impress your guests and celebrate with intention.

1. Ice Cream over Warm Apples with Sweet Crumbs by Sara and Yossi Goldstein

There is nothing more classic than warm apples and ice cream. The crumble works so beautifully here, almost like an inside-out apple crisp. Don’t forget the sweet drizzle of silan to top it all off.

2. Cinnamon Carrot Cake by Efrat Libfroind

You can replace the silan with honey and use any kind of flour you like for the same delicious results.

3. Apple and Date Honey Muffins by Molly Hagler

These muffins are a deliciously sweet way to welcome Rosh Hashanah. Whether served for breakfast or dessert, they’re sure to be a hit with family and friends!

4. Chocolate Mousse with Cookie Crumble by Rorie Weisberg

This mousse was always my grandmother’s masterpiece. We all looked forward to Yom Tov meals at Grandma’s house because we knew that in addition to all her incredible food, we would be enjoying her chocolate mousse! As I learned to adjust my Yom Tov cooking, I knew that her chocolate mousse still had to be on our menu.

The cookie crumble is so outstanding that we bring a bowl of it to the table so we can keep on adding more.

When serving a crowd, I make it in a springform pan; otherwise, I make it in individual ramekins so they can be pulled out of the freezer as needed. Sometimes (okay, more than sometimes) we find ourselves having one on a random weekday.

5. Silan Ice Cream by Rorie Weisberg

Watch Rorie make this delicious parve silan ice cream with her famous Dip the Apple in Honey Cake, here!

6. Plant-Based Jewish Honey Cake by Kenden Alfond

This sweet and tender plant-based Jewish honey cake from the Jewish Food Hero Kitchen is a healthy makeover of a classic Jewish dessert. Traditionally, honey cake is served during the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah.  This plant-based version is lightly sweetened and made with real, whole ingredients – a dessert you can definitely feel good about baking and eating.

7. Silan Cheese Babka by Sina Mizrahi

This is a classic cheese babka with an added sweet earthiness from the date syrup in the filling and for the glaze. Silan is the secret ingredient that gives the crust an almost candied crunch and adds the perfect depth so you’re left with a sweet slice that’s not cloyingly sugary.