Sufganiyot, Israeli Jelly Doughnuts – A Delightful Tradition

What are Sufganiyot

Sufganiyot are traditional Israeli jelly-filled donuts, typically consumed during the Hanukkah season (along with these Sfenj, Moroccan donuts), and are my childhood favorite. Growing up in Israel, the biggest treat was a jelly donut, a Sufganiya, with cold sweet chocolate milk in a bag. These round, deep-fried pastries are filled with various sweet fillings and topping, but jelly filling and a dust of powdered sugar is the traditional and most common choice. And I know you most likely tried many donuts in your life, but there is something so simple and special in these chubby treats. It is hard to explain but easy to taste. BTW, the name “sufganiyah” is part of everyday Hebrew but it actually comes from the Greek word “sufan,” meaning “to puff up,” which perfectly describes the fluffy texture of these delightful treats.

Different from most filled donuts, like Bavarian Cream Donuts, Boston Cream Donuts, and Bombolini, these are filled at the top vs. the side, giving it a Strawberry jam crown!

For more authentic Israeli recipes, check out this Israeli Biscuit Cake and this Israeli Cheesecake.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Creating the perfect sufganiyot can get tricky, especially if this is your first time. Here are some common issues you might encounter and how to troubleshoot them:

• Flat Sufganiyot: If your sufganiyot turn out flat, make sure your oil is hot enough. Adjust the temperature to ensure a quick and thorough puffing during frying.
• Overly Browned Exterior, and raw center: Lower the oil temperature if your sufganiyot is browning too quickly. This will allow the inside to cook without burning the outside.
• Uneven Filling Distribution: Use a piping bag with a long, narrow tip to inject the jelly into the sufganiyot. This ensures an even distribution of the delicious filling.
• My doughnuts don’t have the line at the center. While the line is iconic for Israeli jelly-filled doughnuts, it is not an indication of the quality of the donuts. Avoid turning the donuts too many times during baking, and allow for a long second dough rise (about 90-120 minutes).

How to Make Sufganiyot

​Follow these step-by-step instructions to create the perfect batch of sufganiyot:

1. In a bowl, dissolve yeast and one tablespoon of sugar in warm milk and let it sit for 10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
2. In a large mixing bowl, or a bowl of a stand mixer combine flour, sugar, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the yeast mixture then the softened butter, and eggs. Use the dough hook to mix for about 3 minutes.
3. Place it in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
4. Punch the dough to release the air, divide it into 10 equal pieces, roll each piece into a ball, and place it over a 4×4-inch of parchment paper. Place the dough balls over a baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise for 90-120 minutes in a warm place. 
5. Heat oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 320F (160C). Place 3-4 donuts in the hot oil at a time, and fry for 3 minutes on each side. Use a slotted spoon to place the fried donuts over a plate lined with paper towels, and allow to cool for 5-10 minutes.
6. Dust with powdered sugar, fill a pastry bag with jelly, and inject each sufganiyah.

Tips

• You can prepare the dough the night before, refrigerate it, and proceed with the rest of the steps the next day. Make sure it reaches room temperature.For best results. use a candy thermometer to maintain the temperature of the oil to around 320F (160C) for perfect frying.
• Allow the dough to rise sufficiently for fluffy sufganiyot and a beautiful white stripe at the center.
• Experiment with different flavored jellies for a unique twist.
• For a bit of flavor, add some orange zest to the dough.

Storing

To keep your sufganiyot fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. For longer storage, freeze and reheat when ready to enjoy.

Don’t forget to tag @OneSarcasticBaker on Instagram whenever you bake this recipe. Would love to see your creations!

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Print

Sufganiyot recipe

Light and fluffy donuts filled with strawberry jelly

Course Dessert

Cuisine Mediterranean

Keyword Sufganiyot

Servings 10 Donuts

Ingredients

• 1 Cup Lukewarm milk (240g)
• 2 1/4 teaspoon Instant yeast (9g)
• 3 Tablespoons Sugar (40g)
• 4 Cups All-purpose flour (500g)
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• 1/4 Cup Unsalted butter, melted and cooled (55g)
• 1 Large Egg, at room temperature
• 1/2 Cup Powdered sugar (60g)
• 1 Cup Strawberry preserve (or your choice of filling)
• 4-5 Cups Vegetable oil, for frying

Instructions

1. In a large bowl or a bowl of a standing mixer, pour the milk then sprinkle the yeast and one tablespoon of the sugar. Let sit for 10-15 minutes until frothy.

2. To the yeast mixture, add the flour, salt, rest of the sugar mix on slow, then add the melted butter and egg.

3. Mix on medium for about 3 minutes, until you have a smooth dough that stretches when you stretch it slowly.

4. Place the dough in a greased large bowl, grease the top then cover with plastic wrap for about 90 minutes, until doubles in size.

5. Punch the dough to release the air, divide the dough into ten pieces, roll each piece into a ball, and place it over a 4×4-inch parchment paper.

6. Place at a warm place for about two hours, until double in size.

7. In a large and wide pan, pour the oil and heat it to 320F (160C).

8. Carefully add 3-4 donuts (do not overcrowd) and fry for three minutes on each side.

9. Use a slotted spoon to invert the donuts into a plate lined with paper towels. Let them rest for 10-15 minutes.

10. Generously dust the donuts with the powdered sugar, and use a piping bag to fill the donuts from the top with the preserve, or your choice of filling. Serve immediately.