CHOCOLATE SUFGANIYOT (DONUTS) for Hanukkah

Chanukah (Hannukah, Hanukah) starts Sunday night. Chanukah is the Jewish Holiday of Lights that celebrates the rededication of the Temple after the Maccabees defeated the Syrian army in 165 BC and forced them out of Jerusalem. There was only enough oil for one day to rededicate the eternal flame, but the oil burned for eight days and nights. A miracle! So Hanukkah is celebrated for 8 days. Plenty of days and nights to make Hanukkah food such as Sufganiyot! 

Sufganiyot (singular: sufganiyah) is one of the special foods made during Hanukkah: deep fried donut balls stuffed with jelly, or custard (for this blog that would be chocolate custard) and topped with sugar. Of course, you can also stuff them with dark chocolate! I didn't grow up with this tradition, but any food that's fried and stuffed is good in my book. Sufganiyot are really an Israeli tradition, but they've gained popularity in the U.S. 

There are many recipes for Sufganiyot. Go here for a yeasted Sufganiyot Dough recipe or here on Epicurious (remember to stuff with chocolate) or this recipe from Amanda Gold in the Chronicle.

I'm a huge fan of Katrina's Vosges Haut-chocolate blog, and she posted this fabulous recipe for Sufganiyot, chocolate filling, of course, in 2009. Be sure and visit her blog for insights. She, like I, thinks that Sufganiyot are a lot like Beignets. So you might want to check out this simple no frying, no yeast dough recipe I posted for Chocolate Beignets. Make them ahead and pop them in the oven when your guests get there.

Chocolate Sufganiyot from Vosges Haut-chocolat

Ingredients
3/4 cup warm water (about 100 degrees)
1 envelope active dry yeast (1 scant tablespoon)
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for work surface
1/4 cup sugar, plus 1/2 cup for coating
1/2 tsp salt
2 large eggs, separated
2 Tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature (in place of margarine in original recipe)
peanut oil, for frying plus more for bowl
1/4 cup Vosges Haut-Chocolat Candy Bar

Directions
In large metal bowl, stir together warm water and yeast. Let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. Add 3/4 cup flour, 1/4 cup sugar, and salt; mix until well combined. Add egg yolks and remaining 1 3/4 cups flour. Mix until combined, then knead dough in bowl until all flour is incorporated. Turn out dough onto a lightly floured work surface; knead a few minutes until smooth. Knead in butter until incorporated.

Transfer dough to a well-oiled bowl; turn dough several times to coat entirely with oil. Cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight.

About 30 minutes before you’re ready to form doughnuts, remove dough from refrigerator to let come to room temperature. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out dough into an 11 inch square about 1/8 inch thick. Using a 2 inch cookie cutter (or a glass), cut out about 24 rounds, dipping cutter in flour as needed to prevent sticking. Re-roll scraps and cut out about 16 more rounds.

Line a baking sheet with a clean kitchen towel. In a small bowl, lightly beat egg whites. Brush edge of a dough round with egg white, then mount 1/2 teaspoon chocolate bar pieces in center, or both. Top with another round and press edges to seal. Repeat process with remaining rounds. Transfer to prepared baking sheet; let doughnuts rise until puffy, 20 to 30 minutes.

Heat a few inches of oil in a large (4-5 quart) heavy pot until it registers 360 degrees on a deep-fry thermometer or a scrap of dough sizzles upon contact. Working in batches of 4 to 5, carefully slip doughnuts into hot oil. Fry, turning once until golden brown about 1 minute. Using a slotted spoon, transfer doughnuts to paper towels to drain.

Place remaining 1/2 cup sugar in a medium bowl. While doughnuts are still hot, toss them in sugar, turning to coat. Serve immediately.

SUFGANIYOT: Doughnuts for Chanukah!

Chanukah (Hannukah, Hanukah) starts Thursday night. Chanukkah is the Jewish Holiday of Lights that celebrates the rededication of the Temple after the Maccabees defeated the Syrian army in 165 BC and forced them out of Jerusalem. There was only enough oil for one day to rededicate the eternal flame, but the oil burned for eight days and nights. A miracle! So Hanukkah is celebrated for 8 days.

One of the special foods at Chanukah time is Sufganiyot (singular: sufganiyah): deep fried donut balls stuffed with jelly, or custard (for this blog that would be chocolate custard) and topped with sugar. Of course, you can also stuff them with dark chocolate! I didn't grow up with this tradition, but any food that's fried and stuffed with chocolate cream is good in my book. Sufganiyot are really an Israeli tradition, but they've gained popularity in the U.S. 

I've posted recipes in the past for Sufganiyot, but here's a new recipe that my late friend B.K. Stevens wrote in 2016 for DyingforChocolate.com. Bonnie's actual donut is chocolate.

B.K. Stevens:

I know you've posted chocolate sufganiyot recipes before; I don't know if you've posted this one. It's very simple (no yeast), and the sufganiyot themselves are chocolate, rather than the filling. Unfortunately, I don't remember where I found the recipe--we've had it in our family cookbook for many years. I served these at a holiday party the other day, and people really seemed to enjoy them.

Sufganiyot 
(Israeli Jelly Doughnuts—for Hanukkah) 

Ingredients
vegetable oil
1 cup granulated sugar, plus more for coating sufganiyot after frying
2 eggs plus
1 egg yolk
3 1/2 cups flour (recipe says unbleached, but we’ve used regular)
1/4 cup cocoa
1 Tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup buttermilk strawberry jelly (not jam or preserves) •

Directions
Combine 1/4 cup oil, 1 cup sugar, eggs, and egg yolk in bowl and mix with an electric mixer until fluffy.
Whisk together flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt. Stir into oil mixture alternately with buttermilk. Heat 2 to 3 inches oil in heavy, deep skillet to 340 degrees.
Drop batter by tablespoons (we use a small cookie scoop) into hot oil and cook in batches until doughnuts are evenly fried, about 2 or 3 minutes per side. Do not crowd pan.
Drain on paper towels. Roll in remaining sugar.
Fill with strawberry jelly. (We use an inexpensive plastic condiment container, with the tip cut off halfway down to make it easier to get the jelly out.)
Makes about 24 sufganiyot.

CHOCOLATE SUFGANIYOT FOR HANUKKAH

Chanukah (Hannukah, Hanukah) starts Thursday night. Chanukkah is the Jewish Holiday of Lights that celebrates the rededication of the Temple after the Maccabees defeated the Syrian army in 165 BC and forced them out of Jerusalem. There was only enough oil for one day to rededicate the eternal flame, but the oil burned for eight days and nights. A miracle! So Hanukkah is celebrated for 8 days.

One of the special foods at Chanukah time is Sufganiyot (singular: sufganiyah): deep fried donut balls stuffed with jelly, or custard (for this blog that would be chocolate custard) and topped with sugar. Of course, you can also stuff them with dark chocolate! I didn't grow up with this tradition, but any food that's fried and stuffed with chocolate cream is good in my book. Sufganiyot are really an Israeli tradition, but they've gained popularity in the U.S. 

I've posted recipes in the past for Sufganiyot, but here's a new recipe that my late friend B.K. Stevens wrote in 2016 for DyingforChocolate.com. Bonnie's actual donut is chocolate.

B.K. Stevens:

I know you've posted chocolate sufganiyot recipes before; I don't know if you've posted this one. It's very simple (no yeast), and the sufganiyot themselves are chocolate, rather than the filling. Unfortunately, I don't remember where I found the recipe--we've had it in our family cookbook for many years. I served these at a holiday party the other day, and people really seemed to enjoy them.

Sufganiyot 
(Israeli Jelly Doughnuts—for Hanukkah) 

Ingredients
vegetable oil
1 cup granulated sugar, plus more for coating sufganiyot after frying
2 eggs plus
1 egg yolk
3 1/2 cups flour (recipe says unbleached, but we’ve used regular)
1/4 cup cocoa
1 Tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup buttermilk strawberry jelly (not jam or preserves) •

Directions
Combine 1/4 cup oil, 1 cup sugar, eggs, and egg yolk in bowl and mix with an electric mixer until fluffy.
Whisk together flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt. Stir into oil mixture alternately with buttermilk. Heat 2 to 3 inches oil in heavy, deep skillet to 340 degrees.
Drop batter by tablespoons (we use a small cookie scoop) into hot oil and cook in batches until doughnuts are evenly fried, about 2 or 3 minutes per side. Do not crowd pan.
Drain on paper towels. Roll in remaining sugar.
Fill with strawberry jelly. (We use an inexpensive plastic condiment container, with the tip cut off halfway down to make it easier to get the jelly out.)
Makes about 24 sufganiyot.

Chocolate Sufganiyot for Hanukah: B.K. Stevens

Chanukah (Hannukah, Hanukah) starts Saturday night. Chanukkah is the Jewish Holiday of Lights that celebrates the rededication of the Temple after the Maccabees defeated the Syrian army in 165 BC and forced them out of Jerusalem. There was only enough oil for one day to rededicate the eternal flame, but the oil burned for eight days and nights. A miracle! So Hanukkah is celebrated for 8 days.

One of the special foods at Chanukah time is Sufganiyot (singular: sufganiyah): deep fried donut balls stuffed with jelly, or custard (for this blog that would be chocolate custard) and topped with sugar. Of course, you can also stuff them with dark chocolate! I didn't grow up with this tradition, but any food that's fried and stuffed is good in my book. Sufganiyot are really an Israeli tradition, but they've gained popularity in the U.S. 

I've posted recipes in the past for Sufganiyot, but here's a new recipe  from B.K. Stevens where the actual donut is chocolate! B.K. Stevens is a mystery author, so once again my worlds of chocolate and mystery cross. Thanks, Bonnie!


B.K. Stevens:

I know you've posted chocolate sufganiyot recipes before; I don't know if you've posted this one. It's very simple (no yeast), and the sufganiyot themselves are chocolate, rather than the filling. Unfortunately, I don't remember where I found the recipe--we've had it in our family cookbook for many years. I served these at a holiday party the other day, and people really seemed to enjoy them.

Sufganiyot 
(Israeli Jelly Doughnuts—for Hanukkah) 

Ingredients
vegetable oil
1 cup granulated sugar, plus more for coating sufganiyot after frying
2 eggs plus
1 egg yolk
3 1/2 cups flour (recipe says unbleached, but we’ve used regular)
1/4 cup cocoa
1 Tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup buttermilk strawberry jelly (not jam or preserves) •

Directions
Combine 1/4 cup oil, 1 cup sugar, eggs, and egg yolk in bowl and mix with an electric mixer until fluffy.
Whisk together flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt. Stir into oil mixture alternately with buttermilk. Heat 2 to 3 inches oil in heavy, deep skillet to 340 degrees.
Drop batter by tablespoons (we use a small cookie scoop) into hot oil and cook in batches until doughnuts are evenly fried, about 2 or 3 minutes per side. Do not crowd pan.
Drain on paper towels. Roll in remaining sugar.
Fill with strawberry jelly. (We use an inexpensive plastic condiment container, with the tip cut off halfway down to make it easier to get the jelly out.)
Makes about 24 sufganiyot.

Happy Hannukah: Chocolate Sufganiyot

Tonight marks the first night of Chanukkah (Hannukah, Hanukah). Since the word is transliterated, you can spell it anyway you want. Chanukkah is the Jewish Holiday of Lights that celebrates the rededication of the Temple after the Maccabees defeated the Syrian army in 165 BC and forced them out of Jerusalem. There was only enough oil for one day to rededicate the eternal flame, but the oil burned for eight days and nights. A miracle! So Hanukkah is celebrated for 8 days.

One of the special foods at Chanukah time is Sufganiyot (singular: sufganiyah): deep fried donut balls stuffed with jelly, or custard (for this blog that would be chocolate custard) and topped with sugar. Of course, you can also stuff them with dark chocolate! I didn't grow up with this tradition, but any food that's fried and stuffed is good in my book. Sufganiyot are really an Israeli tradition, but they're gaining popularity in the U.S. 

There are many recipes for Sufganiyot. Go here for a yeasted Sufganiyot Dough recipe or here on Epicurious (remember to stuff with chocolate) or this recipe from Amanda Gold in the Chronicle.

I'm a huge fan of Katrina's Vosges Haut-chocolate blog, and she posted a fabulous recipe for Sufganiyot, chocolate filling, of course, in 2009.  Be sure and visit the blog for her insights. She, like I, thinks that Sufganiyot are a lot like Beignets. So you might want to check out this simple no frying, no yeast dough recipe I posted for Chocolate Beignets. Make them ahead and pop them in the oven when your guests get there.

Chocolate Sufganiyot from Vosges Haut-chocolat

Ingredients
3/4 cup warm water (about 100 degrees)
1 envelope active dry yeast (1 scant tablespoon)
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for work surface
1/4 cup sugar, plus 1/2 cup for coating
1/2 tsp salt
2 large eggs, separated
2 tablespoons sweet butter, room temperature
peanut oil, for frying plus more for bowl
1/4 cup Vosges Haut-Chocolat Candy Bar

Directions
In large metal bowl, stir together warm water and yeast. Let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. Add 3/4 cup flour, 1/4 cup sugar, and salt; mix until well combined. Add egg yolks and remaining 1 3/4 cups flour. Mix until combined, then knead dough in bowl until all flour is incorporated. Turn out dough onto a lightly floured work surface; knead a few minutes until smooth. Knead in margarine until incorporated.

Transfer dough to a well-oiled bowl; turn dough several times to coat entirely with oil. Cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight.

About 30 minutes before you’re ready to form doughnuts, remove dough from refrigerator to let come to room temperature. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out dough into an 11 inch square about 1/8 inch thick. Using a 2 inch cookie cutter (or a glass), cut out about 24 rounds, dipping cutter in flour as needed to prevent sticking. Re-roll scraps and cut out about 16 more rounds.

Line a baking sheet with a clean kitchen towel. In a small bowl, lightly beat egg whites. Brush edge of a dough round with egg white, then mount 1/2 teaspoon chocolate bar pieces in center, or both. Top with another round and press edges to seal. Repeat process with remaining rounds. Transfer to prepared baking sheet; let doughnuts rise until puffy, 20 to 30 minutes.

Heat a few inches of oil in a large (4-5 quart) heavy pot until it registers 360 degrees on a deep-fry thermometer or a scrap of dough sizzles upon contact. Working in batches of 4 to 5, carefully slip doughnuts into hot oil. Fry, turning once until golden brown about 1 minute. Using a slotted spoon, transfer doughnuts to paper towels to drain.

Place remaining 1/2 cup sugar in a medium bowl. While doughnuts are still hot, toss them in sugar, turning to coat. Serve immediately.

Sufganiyot Photo: Vosge Haut Chocolat