Homemade Sufganiyot: The Fluffiest Jelly Donuts Recipe Ever

Crispy, golden sufganiyot have been dancing through my kitchen during every hanukkah celebration.

Sweet memories of my grandmother’s traditional recipe flood back with each delicate bite.

Pillowy rounds of fried dough become magical when filled with vibrant raspberry or strawberry jam.

Jewish culinary traditions shine brightest in these delectable treats that connect generations.

Soft, airy textures contrast beautifully with rich, smooth jam centers.

Powdered sugar transforms simple donuts into elegant dessert masterpieces.

She will love creating these delightful pastries that sparkle with cultural significance and pure deliciousness.

Grab your apron and let the joy of baking begin!

Why Sufganiyot Are The Ultimate Jelly Donuts For Celebrations

• Celebrate Cultural Heritage: Dive into a classic Jewish dessert that brings generations together, connecting you with rich culinary traditions and festive memories.
• Master Baking Skills: Learn a sophisticated pastry technique that transforms simple ingredients into a professional-looking dessert, boosting your kitchen confidence with each batch.
• Crowd-Pleasing Delight: Create a universally loved treat that sparks joy for kids and adults alike, perfect for holiday gatherings, family celebrations, and special occasions.
• Customize with Creativity: Experiment with different jelly flavors like raspberry, strawberry, or apricot, allowing you to personalize these donuts and make them uniquely yours.

What You’ll Need For Perfect Sufganiyot Dough

• Flour: The primary structure and body of the donuts, providing a soft and pillowy texture.
• Eggs: Help bind the ingredients and create a rich, tender dough.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with yeast activation and caramelization.
• Active Dry Yeast: Essential for creating the light, airy texture of the donuts.

• Milk, Water: Provide moisture and help activate the yeast.
• Butter: Adds richness and contributes to a tender, soft donut texture.
• Vegetable Oil: Used for deep frying, creating a crisp golden exterior.

• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the donuts.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a subtle, warm background flavor.
• Jelly: Traditional filling that provides a sweet, fruity center.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates a classic sweet coating and decorative finish.

Step-By-Step Guide To Making Sufganiyot

Step 1: Awaken the Yeast

Mix yeast with warm water and a touch of sugar. Watch as it transforms into a bubbly, frothy mixture within 5-7 minutes. This magical activation will bring your donuts to life.

Step 2: Blend Dry Ingredients

Grab a large mixing bowl and whisk together flour, remaining sugar, and salt. Create a smooth, even base that will become the foundation of your delicious sufganiyot.

Step 3: Combine Wet and Dry Elements

• Eggs
• Softened butter
• Milk
• Vanilla extract
• Activated yeast mixture

Step 4: Knead to Perfection

Work the dough with your hands for 8-10 minutes. Transform it into a smooth, elastic masterpiece that feels silky and soft to the touch.

Step 5: Let the Dough Rise

Drape a clean kitchen towel over the bowl. Tuck the dough in a warm, cozy spot and let it expand for about an hour until it doubles in size.

Step 6: Roll and Shape

Punch down the risen dough and roll it out on a floured surface. Create a smooth sheet about 1/4-inch thick.

Step 7: Cut Circular Shapes

Use a round cookie cutter to stamp out perfect circles. Arrange these delicate rounds on a lightly floured baking sheet.

Step 8: Second Rise

Allow the dough circles to rest and puff up for 30 minutes, developing a light, airy texture.

Step 9: Heat the Oil

Warm vegetable oil in a deep pan, bringing it to a steady 350°F. This is the secret to achieving golden, crispy perfection.

Step 10: Fry to Golden Goodness

Gently lower the dough circles into the hot oil. Fry each side until it turns a beautiful golden brown, about 1-2 minutes per side.

Step 11: Drain Excess Oil

Rescue the donuts with a slotted spoon and let them rest on paper towels. Allow the excess oil to drip away.

Step 12: Fill with Sweet Surprise

Load a piping bag with vibrant jelly. Inject each donut from the side, creating a delightful hidden center.

Step 13: Dust with Sweet Snow

Shower the sufganiyot with a delicate blanket of powdered sugar. Watch as they transform into works of art.

Step 14: Serve and Celebrate

Present these warm, pillowy treats to your eager guests. Enjoy the rich tradition and incredible flavor of homemade sufganiyot!

Tips For Pillowy, Golden Jelly Donuts

• Proof Yeast Perfectly: Ensure water is between 100-110°F to activate yeast without killing it, creating a bubbly, active mixture.
• Knead with Care: Use the heel of your hand to stretch and fold dough, developing gluten for a soft, tender texture that's not tough.
• Maintain Oil Temperature: Use a candy thermometer to keep oil consistently at 350°F, preventing donuts from absorbing excess oil or burning.
• Rest Dough Strategically: Allow dough to rise in a warm, draft-free spot like inside a turned-off oven with the light on, promoting optimal fermentation.
• Fill Without Leaking: Insert the piping tip halfway into the donut and squeeze gently, rotating slightly to distribute jelly evenly without bursting the pastry.

Creative Fillings To Try In Your Sufganiyot

• Chocolate Cream Sufganiyot: Fill donuts with rich chocolate pastry cream instead of traditional jelly for a decadent chocolate lover's version.
• Nutella Stuffed Sufganiyot: Replace jelly with smooth Nutella spread, creating a creamy and indulgent center that oozes with each bite.
• Cinnamon Sugar Sufganiyot: After frying, roll donuts in a mixture of ground cinnamon and granulated sugar for a warm, spiced alternative to powdered sugar coating.
• Fruit Compote Sufganiyot: Use homemade berry or apple compote as a filling, offering a fresh and slightly tangy alternative to standard jelly.

Best Pairings For Warm, Sweet Sufganiyot

• Flavor Fusion: Moscato Wine – Its light, sweet profile perfectly complements the sugary donuts, creating a delightful dessert pairing that enhances the jelly's fruity notes.
• Beverage Boost: Chai Tea – The warm, spicy undertones of chai provide a rich contrast to the sweet sufganiyot, balancing the donuts' sugary texture with complex aromatic layers.
• Culinary Companion: Vanilla Bean Ice Cream – Serving a scoop alongside the warm donuts creates a luxurious temperature and flavor contrast, with creamy coldness melting against the crispy, sugary pastry.
• Textural Harmony: Fresh Berries – A small side of mixed berries cuts through the richness, adding a tangy freshness that brightens the heavy, fried donut experience.

How To Store Sufganiyot Without Losing That Fluff

• Store unfilled sufganiyot in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, ensuring they remain fresh and soft.
• Wrap the prepared dough tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag and store for up to 1 month before thawing and frying.
• Allow sufganiyot to cool completely, then place in a single layer in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between each layer, storing for up to 2 weeks.
• Keep filled sufganiyot in the refrigerator for 1-2 days, but note that the texture may become slightly less crisp and the powdered sugar will absorb moisture.

Sufganiyot FAQ For New Bakers

• What is the origin of Sufganiyot?

These traditional jelly donuts originated in Jewish culture, particularly in Israel, and are a beloved Hanukkah celebration food symbolizing the miracle of oil.

• Why do we let the dough rise twice?

Double rising helps develop better flavor, creates a lighter texture, and allows the yeast to work fully, resulting in softer, more tender donuts.

• Can I use different types of jelly for filling?

Absolutely! While traditional recipes use raspberry or strawberry jelly, you can experiment with apricot, grape, or even chocolate spread for unique flavor variations.

• How do I know the oil is at the right temperature for frying?

Use a kitchen thermometer to ensure the oil is exactly 350°F.

Sufganiyot (Jelly Donuts) Recipe

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4.7 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Hanukkah celebrations sparkle with homemade Sufganiyot, traditional jelly donuts that bring festive sweetness to Jewish kitchens. Pillowy dough filled with fruity jam and dusted with powdered sugar will delight you with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 1/2 tsp active dry yeast
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup water

Filling and Coating:

• 1 cup strawberry or raspberry jelly
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar

Frying and Preparation:

• 4 cups vegetable oil (for deep frying)
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Activate the yeast by combining it with warm water and a pinch of sugar, allowing it to foam and become bubbly for about 5-7 minutes.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, remaining sugar, and salt to create a uniform dry mixture.
3. Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add eggs, softened butter, milk, vanilla extract, and activated yeast mixture.
4. Knead the dough thoroughly for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic, ensuring all ingredients are completely incorporated.
5. Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm, draft-free area for approximately 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
6. After rising, punch down the dough and roll it out on a floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness.
7. Use a round cookie cutter to cut uniform circles, placing them on a lightly floured baking sheet.
8. Allow the cut dough to rest and rise again for 30 minutes, creating a light, airy texture.
9. Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan to 350°F, maintaining a consistent temperature for even frying.
10. Carefully lower the dough circles into hot oil, frying each side until golden brown, approximately 1-2 minutes per side.
11. Remove donuts with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
12. Once cooled slightly, fill a piping bag with jelly and inject each donut from the side.
13. Dust generously with powdered sugar, creating a delicate, sweet coating.
14. Serve warm and enjoy these traditional Jewish treats.

Notes

• Check yeast freshness by ensuring it foams vibrantly, which guarantees soft, fluffy donuts with perfect rise.
• Maintain consistent oil temperature around 350°F to prevent greasy or undercooked donuts, using a digital thermometer for precision.
• Experiment with alternative fillings like chocolate cream, custard, or fruit preserves to create unique flavor variations while respecting traditional preparation.
• For gluten-sensitive individuals, substitute all-purpose flour with a cup-for-cup gluten-free blend, ensuring the dough remains tender and elastic.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Jewish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 13 g
• Sodium: 80 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 35 mg