Sufganiot (Hanukkah Jelly Doughnuts)

These plain or jelly-filled doughnuts are a favorite treat in Israel and a sweet alternative to the traditional latkes. Few people say no to doughnuts and this variety fits any appetite. I generally make a double batch of dough, refrigerate it and pinch off portions as I need for fresh treats or for taking along to a Chanukah party.

• Ready In: 50 mins
• Yields: 42 doughnuts

Ingredients

• 1 1⁄4 cups  slightly warm water or 1 1⁄4 cups  slightly warm milk
• 1  tablespoon  yeast
• 6  tablespoons sugar
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 cup canola oil
• 2  egg yolks
• 1  egg
• 1  teaspoon vanilla
• 1⁄4 teaspoon  lemon extract
• 3 1⁄2-4  cups unbleached all-purpose flour (or half all-purpose and half bread flour)
•  fine sugar (for coating donuts) or  sugar (for coating donuts)
• 1 1⁄2 cups  raspberry jelly (optional) or 1 1⁄2 cups  raspberry jam (optional) or 1 1⁄2 cups  apricot jam (optional) or 1 1⁄2 cups  apricot jam (optional)
•  oil
•  shortening (three parts oil and one part melted shortening for frying, to fill up a good two-thirds of fryer)

Directions

1. Whisk together the yeast, water and sugar, salt, oil, egg yolks, egg, vanilla and lemon extract.
2. Blend well and stir in most of the flour to form a soft dough.
3. Knead by hand, machine or in bread machine (dough setting), adding flour as needed.
4. The dough should have some body, not too slack, supple, smooth and elastic.
5. Place in a greased plastic bag and refrigerate at least 2 to 4 hours or overnight.
6. If you are in a hurry, allow dough to rest at least 20 minutes, then proceed.
7. If dough has risen at all, punch or flatten down, then pinch off pieces and form into small balls, about the size of golf balls.
8. Otherwise, roll dough out to about three-quarters of an inch.
9. Using a two and half inch or three inch biscuit cutter, cut out rounds.
10. Cover and let sit 15 minutes while heating oil.
11. In a deep fryer, or heavy dutch oven, heat about four inches of oil or a combination of oil and melted shortening.
12. Add the doughnuts to the hot oil (temperature should be about 375 F.) and fry until the undersides are deep brown.
13. Turn over once and finish frying the other side.
14. Lift doughnuts out using a slotted spoon and drain well on paper towels.
15. To fill, make a small opening and spoon in jam or jelly, or just sprinkle lightly with regular or extra fine granulated sugar by shaking doughnuts in a paper bag.
16. Test oil temperature: It's a good idea to try frying one doughnut to start with.
17. Once the doughnut seems done, take it out and cut it open to see if the inside is cooked.