Commercially prepared kichel are dry, bow-tie shaped pastries sprinkled with sugar.<ref>[https://www.myjewishlearning.com/the-nosher/kichels-recipe-jewish-bow-tie-cookies/ Kichels Recipe: Jewish Bow Tie Cookies]</ref> They are traditionally served at the kiddush in synagogues after [[Shabbat]] services and are also a popular dessert at [[Rosh Hashanah]].<ref>[https://100jewishfoods.tabletmag.com/kichel/ Kichel]</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Nathan |first=Joan |date=2002-09-04 |title=To the New Year, Southern Style |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/04/dining/to-the-new-year-southern-style.html |access-date=2022-05-29 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
TheyKichlach areseem sometimesto eatenhave developed in central or eastern Europe in Ashkenazi Jewish communities by the nineteenth century and subsequently gained popularity around the world with athe savourydiaspora dipand ormigrations toppingin the twentieth century.<ref>{{Cite web |lasttitle=RiklinFolksongs. Patch, Patch, Kichelech! sung by Ruth Rubin |firsturl=Matthttp://polishjews.yivoarchives.org/archive/?p=collections/controlcard&id=34281 |access-date=21 Jan 20212022-05-29 |titlewebsite=GoYIVO EatArchives}}</ref><ref>{{Cite Houston:web Kichel,|date=1999 teiglach and marunchinos, oh my!|title=Kichlach |url=https://jhvonlineembassies.comgov.il/MFA/IsraelExperience/go-eat-houston-kichel-teiglach-and-marunchinos-oh-my-p28633-148lifestyle/Pages/KICHLACH.htmaspx |access-date=2022-05-29 |website=JewishConsulate of Heraldthe General of Israel to the Mid-VoiceAtlantic}}</ref> JewsKiddush in Southearly Africatwentieth-century serveAshkenazi kichelsynagogues withcentered around kichlach, [[Vorschmack|choppedpickled herring]], aand common practice in American synagogues until the 1950s[[schnapps]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Koenig |first=Leah |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1089264811 |title=The 100 most Jewish foods : a highly debatable list |date=2019 |publisher=Artisan |others=Alana Newhouse, Stephanie Butnick, Noah Fecks, Joana Avillez, Gabriella Gershenson |isbn=978-1-57965-927-1 |location=New York |pages=153 |language=en |chapter=Kichlach: History Lesson |oclc=1089264811}}</ref> KichlachJews seemin toSouth haveAfrica developedstill inserve centralkichel orwith eastern[[Vorschmack|chopped Europeherring]], inalso Ashkenazia Jewishcommon communitiespractice byin theAmerican nineteenthsynagogues centuryuntil andthe subsequently1950s.<ref gainedname=":0" popularity/> aroundKichlach theare worldsometimes eaten with theanother diasporakind andof migrationssavoury indip theor twentieth centurytopping.<ref>{{Cite web |titlelast=Folksongs. Patch, Patch, Kichelech! sung by Ruth RubinRiklin |urlfirst=http://polishjews.yivoarchives.org/archive/?p=collections/controlcard&id=34281Matt |access-date=2022-05-2921 Jan 2021 |websitetitle=YIVOGo Archives}}</ref><ref>{{CiteEat webHouston: |date=1999Kichel, |title=Kichlachteiglach and marunchinos, oh my! |url=https://embassiesjhvonline.gov.ilcom/MFA/IsraelExperience/lifestyle/Pages/KICHLACHgo-eat-houston-kichel-teiglach-and-marunchinos-oh-my-p28633-148.aspxhtm |access-date=2022-05-29 |website=ConsulateJewish of the General of Israel to the MidHerald-AtlanticVoice}}</ref>
Due to their light, airy texture, the cookies are sometimes called "nothings."<ref>[http://www.breadland.org/2012/01/mmm-kichelicious.html Mmm… kichelicious!]</ref> Kichlach have a reputation for being a dry cookie and are often dipped in a hot beverage such as [[tea]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Hoffmann |first=Wayne |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1089264811 |title=The 100 most Jewish foods : a highly debatable list |date=2019 |publisher=Artisan |others=Alana Newhouse, Stephanie Butnick, Noah Fecks, Joana Avillez, Gabriella Gershenson |isbn=978-1-57965-927-1 |location=New York |pages=152 |language=en |chapter=Kichlach |oclc=1089264811}}</ref> When prepared with matzah meal rather than flour, kichlach can be consumed during the [[Passover]] holiday.