A Classic Yom Kippur Breakfast Menu

Recipes for after the Yom Kippur fast

Sour cream coffee cake

 

June Jacobsen / Getty Images 

The holiday of Yom Kippur is one of reflection, repentance, and prayer. From sundown to sundown, it all takes place while fasting. At the end of the holiday, Jews traditionally share a joyful breakfast meal with family and friends. For Ashkenazim, the festive menu usually consists of foods such as eggs, cheese, and bread. In America, a bagel and lox brunch is often the standard menu. This classic menu combines the two traditions and is filled with Eastern European comfort food favorites. Traditionally, breakfast menus include lighter food items and mimic a brunch. For fasters, even though it's eaten in the evening, this is the first meal of the day.

If you are planning on hosting the breakfast and fasting, you will want to think ahead and cook as much as possible prior to the holiday. If you are honoring the holiday, you'll be too busy to cook all day and it can be near torturous to be fasting and cooking at the same time. 

A Classic Yom Kippur Breakfast Menu 

Consider all or parts of this menu for your next breakfast meal:

  • Whole wheat bread or homemade bagels with various spreads such as a classic tuna salad, egg salad, cheese, butter, and jam. All of the salads can be made a day in advance. 
  • Crustless cheese and vegetable quiche is a light and cheesy dish. It's is like a cross between a frittata and a quiche, made without a crust. The quiche is simply filled with mushrooms and topped with tomato rounds. It's easy to prepare ahead of time and sure to satisfy.
  • A potato cheese bake is a good option If you like twice-baked potatoes. This simple dish of mashed potatoes is whipped with eggs and lots of cheddar cheese, then baked until the top is golden and crusty. 
  • Blintz souffle is an easy option that combines store-bought ingredients with a homemade touch. Pick up some frozen cheese crepes, then bake them into a sweet egg and sour cream-based custard for a crowd-pleasing casserole that's incredibly easy to prepare and can be assembled in advance.
  • Cottage cheese noodle kugel is the old school kugel that features a crunchy cornflake crumb topping. If you're not a fan of cottage cheese, an alternative like cream cheese noodle kugel, and you'll still get your cinnamon-sugary cornflake topping fix. 
  • Walnut raisin mandel bread is a sweet treat that can be made ahead of time. Literally translated, mandelbrot means "almond bread," however there are recipe alternatives that include walnuts. However you make them, the biscotti-like cookies make a welcome, not-too-sweet snack with coffee or tea.
  • Sour cream coffee cake is a sweet, moist cake that is layered with a chocolate, brown sugar, and cinnamon crunch. 
  • Fresh fruit salad is a nice addition to any meal. 
  • Beverages such as fresh juice, tea, and coffee should be included. Plan to serve both caffeinated and decaf coffee and tea.