Sweet Noodle Kugel
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Celebrate the Jewish holidays with sweet noodle kugel—a comforting casserole of tender egg noodles, creamy custard, and a crunchy cinnamon-streusel topping. It’s sure to become a family favorite!
Noodle kugel, often called noodle pudding, is a traditional Jewish casserole made of egg noodles baked in a sweet or savory custard. It’s perfect for big family gatherings because you can prepare it ahead of time, refrigerate it, and bake it just before serving. Typically, it’s part of a brunch or breakfast-for-dinner spread, served alongside bagels, lox, and schmear. And when it comes to kugel recipes, there are endless variations—just ask any Jewish grandmother! Or better yet, flip through an old spiral-bound synagogue cookbook and you’ll find versions with everything from raisins and apples to crushed pineapple or spinach. And, of course, every family swears theirs is the best!
My recipe stays true to tradition but with a few updates that, in my opinion, make it even better than the old-fashioned version. I swap out the cottage cheese for half-and-half, resulting in a silkier, smoother pudding without the curds. And while some kugel recipes use a crushed cornflake topping, I opt for a crunchy cinnamon streusel instead. Not only does it taste better, but it also eliminates those tough-to-eat crunchy noodles on top. Lastly, I cook the kugel at a low temperature, ensuring it turns out ultra-creamy every time.
Table of Contents
“My 78 year old father texted tonight, he’s still eating it two days later for leftovers and says it’s the best kugel he’s ever had.”
What You’ll Need To Make Noodle Kugel
- Brown Sugar: Adds rich sweetness and a deep molasses flavor to the streusel, helping to create a caramelized, crunchy topping. When measuring brown sugar, always pack it tightly to eliminate air pockets.
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure to the streusel, allowing it to form the perfect crumbly texture that contrasts with the soft kugel.
- Ground Cinnamon: Infuses the topping and the custard with a warm, subtly spicy aroma.
- Wide Egg Noodles: The base of the kugel, these noodles absorb the rich custard and create the dish’s soft, comforting texture.
- Eggs: Act as a binding agent, helping to set the custard and hold the kugel together while adding richness.
- Sour Cream: Adds tanginess and creaminess to the custard, balancing the sweetness and enhancing the overall flavor.
- Cream Cheese: Provides a smooth, creamy texture to the custard, making the kugel luscious and rich.
- Half & Half: Contributes to the custard’s creaminess, adding a velvety texture. If you don’t have half & half, you can use a mix of equal parts whole milk and heavy cream as a substitute.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the custard, complementing the tangy and rich ingredients to create a balanced flavor profile.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds a fragrant, sweet aroma that enhances the overall flavor of the kugel.
- Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements
Step-By-Step Instructions
Begin by boiling the noodles in a large pot.
Drain them well.
Make the streusel topping: combine the brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl.
Using your fingers, mix until no lumps of brown sugar remain.
Add the butter.
Rub the butter in with your fingertips until the mixture has a clumpy, crumbly texture.
Refrigerate until ready to use. (FYI: The kugel bakes initially without the streusel, so you can also make the streusel during that time.)
Next, make the custard. Whisk the eggs in a large bowl.
Add the sour cream and softened cream cheese.
Whisk well, then add the half & half, sugar, salt, vanilla, and cinnamon.
Whisk until completely smooth.
Spread the cooked noodles evenly in the prepared baking dish.
Pour the custard mixture evenly over top.
Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes. The custard should be just set.
Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the top, making sure to cover all the noodles.
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes more, until the streusel topping is crisp. Let cool for about 20 minutes, then cut into squares and serve.
Make-Ahead Instructions
The kugel and topping can be assembled and stored separately in the fridge up to a day ahead of time, and then baked before serving. (The kugel with the streusel topping may also be fully cooked a day ahead of time and reheated, however, the texture will be denser than if baked fresh. To reheat, cover with foil and place in a 325°F oven for 25 minutes; remove and discard the foil, and continue baking for 20 to 25 minutes more, or until warm throughout and crisp on top.)
Freezing Instructions
After baking the kugel, allow it to cool completely. Then, wrap it tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap and place it in an airtight container or freezer bag. Kugel can be frozen for up to two months. When you’re ready to serve it, thaw the kugel in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat it in a 325°F-oven until warmed through.
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Sweet Noodle Kugel
Celebrate the Jewish holidays with sweet noodle kugel—a comforting casserole of tender egg noodles, creamy custard, and a crunchy cinnamon-streusel topping. It’s sure to become a family favorite!
Ingredients
For the Streusel Topping
- 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
- 1¼ cups all purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled off
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 stick unsalted butter, cold, cut into ½-inch chunks
For the Kugel
- One 12-oz bag wide egg noodles
- 4 large eggs
- One 8-oz container sour cream
- One 8-oz package cream cheese, softened (microwave for 15 to 20 seconds to soften)
- 2 cups half & half
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
For the Streusel Topping
- Combine the brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl. Using your fingers, mix until no lumps of brown sugar remain. Rub in the butter with your fingertips until the mixture has a clumpy, crumbly texture. Refrigerate until ready to use.
For the Kugel
- Preheat the oven to 325°F and set an oven rack in the middle position. Butter a 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
- Bring a large pot of unsalted water to a boil. Cook the noodles for 6 to 8 minutes, or according to package instructions, until tender. Drain well.
- In a large bowl, whisk the eggs. Add the sour cream and softened cream cheese and whisk to combine. Add the half & half, sugar, salt, vanilla, and cinnamon, and whisk until completely smooth.
- Spread the cooked noodles evenly in the prepared baking dish. Pour the custard mixture evenly over top. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes. Remove and discard the foil. The custard should be just set. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the top, making sure to cover all the noodles. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes more, until the streusel topping is crisp. Let cool for about 20 minutes, then cut into squares and serve.
- Make-Ahead/Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The kugel and topping can be assembled and stored separately in the fridge up to a day ahead of time, and then baked before serving. (The kugel with the streusel topping may also be fully cooked a day ahead of time and reheated, however the texture will be denser than if baked fresh. To reheat, cover with foil and place in a 325°F oven for 25 minutes; remove and discard the foil, and continue baking for 20 to 25 minutes more, or until warm throughout and crisp on top.) The baked kugel can also be frozen for up to 2 months. Allow it to cool completely. Then, wrap it tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap and place it in an airtight container or freezer bag. When you're ready to serve it, thaw the kugel in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat it in a 325°F-oven until warmed through.
Nutrition Information
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- Per serving (12 servings)
- Serving size: 1 slice
- Calories: 506
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated fat: 14 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Sugar: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Sodium: 209 mg
- Cholesterol: 152 mg
This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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Hi Jenn,
Have you tried this with Gluten Free noodles and GF Flour? I’d love to make it for Yom but would love your guidance on being GF.
Hi Stefany, I can’t say that I have – I’m sorry I can’t be more helpful. Please LMK how it turns out if you try it!
Silky. Smooth. Comfort food the way I remember my aunt (dad’s sister used to make it. I hate vanilla…in ANYTHING, so I always sub it out for rum. In this case… I used Coconut Bacardi & a touch of Almond Extract. OH MY GOSH! What an amazing flavour it imparted! I added lots of nutmeg too! This recipe is extremely versatile & will lend itself well to whatever you can dream of. Next time… I’ll be dreaming of hazelnut coffee, cream & chocolate! What a delightful recipe to look forward to for holidays! This will be my favorite standard of what a kugel should be feeling like when in one’s mouth. And as a retired chef….I’m pretty good at knowing what a great recipe is & isn’t!
This was the first kugel i ever made myself and the BEST kugel i have ever tasted, which is many. I know it can’t be bginner’s luck, it has to be your recipe. My 78 year old father texted tonight, he’s still eating it 2 days later for left overs and says it’s the best kugel he’s ever had. A HUGE hit with my fam, and i think i’ll stick with this recipe going forward. Thank you!!
I would like to use your topping on my kugel recipe which calls for 6 eggs, separated with the whites stiffly beaten. ( Its very light vs heavy kugel). My kugel cooks for 60 minutes. Can I just put the topping on from the beginning or will it burn?
Hi Joni, I think it’s best to add it after the kugel sets up a bit – this prevents it from dissolving into the wet kugel and also from burning.
I’m planning on making this kugel for Rosh Hashanah. I love your recipes. Based on the comments I’ve read, is there a way to make it a little less sweet? Thank you!
Hi Carol, If you’d like to make it less sweet, you can reduce the sugar in the filling.
I can’t wait to make this kugel. After seeing the reviews, I can’t wait. I do have a question.! Along time ago I ate somebody’s Kugel and asked her about the topping because it was crunchy and dark. I do remember there were cornflakes crumbs, but I keep thinking she told me Oreo cookies crumbled up, however, after so many years I’m wondering if I imagined it and maybe I thought it was cookies. Have you ever heard of using Oreo cookies crumbled up on top and would you recommend? Otherwise, I will make the cinnamon streusel. This very nice lady is deceased now, so I cannot contact her. I have never made this type of kugel before.
Thank you.
Margaret
I can’t say I’ve ever heard of a kugel with crumbled Oreos on top and don’t think I’d recommend it. It sounds like it would be more of a dessert with Oreos. 🙂
Hi Jenn,
I love this recipe. I added dried apricot and some slightly chopped pecans. It was amazing! Just thought I’d share because you said you wanted to know if anyone tried the dried fruit add-ins. Always love your recipes!
Hi Jenn. Make your noodle kugel all the time. Any thoughts on how to make it more custardy? I don’t use any streusel topping. Will the custard set and be more creamy if I cook for less time or increase custard mixture? ALSO.. making half a kugel for friend who is gluten free. How much should I reduce cooking time to! Thanks. Joni S
Hi Joni, I would increase the custard but wouldn’t bake it for less time. And the baking time should be about the same for half the kugel.
We like sweet. noodle kugel, however this recipe is very sweet, too much for us. I use recipes on this site frequently, so I was surprised that this one was disappointing to me. I’ll look for another.
If I’m making recipe without streusel do I still cook for 70 minutes. Do I keep aluminum foil on whole time. Thanks! Joni
Yes, that’s the way I’d go. Please LMK how it comes out without the streusel. 🙂
Do you think fat free half and half would work? Thanks!
Unfortunately, I don’t think it will work – sorry!
Hi Jenn, Can the 1/2 n 1/2 be replaced with heavy cream?
Yes that should work 🙂
Best one I’ve ever had, I crave it 24/7