Hanukah Doughnuts
Homemade Hanukah doughnuts are a treat that your family will love. Doughnuts really aren’t that difficult to make although they can be time consuming. Consider making these Hanukah doughnuts as another fried food item during this eight day holiday.
To make Hanukah doughnuts, you’ll need the following ingredients:
1/4 cup of warm water
1 tablespoon of sugar
2 packages of dry yeast
1/2 cup of orange juice
1 stick of butter or margarine
5 tablespoons of sugar
A dash of salt
2 eggs, slightly beaten
3 cups of all-purpose flour
Vegetable oil for frying
In a cast iron skillet, heavy pot or deep fryer, heat oil to 350 to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
In a glass, dissolve one tablespoon of sugar in warm water and add yeast. Allow this to proof in the oven where you have placed a bowl of hot water. Do not turn on the temperature; the heat from the water will be enough. Turn your attention to the other ingredients.
In a small pan, heat the orange juice, butter or margarine, salt and 5 tablespoons of sugar. Take it off the heat and allow it to cool to lukewarm. Beat two eggs in a medium bowl and then add the cooled orange juice mixture followed by the yeast mixture. Stir to mix and then add the flour to create pliable dough. Sprinkle flour on a surface (table or counter) and place the dough to knead several times. Put the dough into a greased bowl and allow the dough to rise in a moist, warm place for 1/2 hour. (You may want to use the same method as for the yeast.) When the dough has risen, punch it down.
Roll out the dough leaving it about 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick. Cut the dough into circles or strips. Place these on a greased, floured baking sheet with at least one inch space between them. Put them back in the same location where they had risen before. Allow them to rise for at least 20 minutes.
Add the doughnuts to the preheated oil one or two at a time and cook on each side until golden brown. Drain them on paper towels. Sprinkle with powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar. This will make 18 to 24 doughnuts depending upon the size.
Remember, Hanukah lasts eight nights, so you may want to make these wonderful treats more than once during the holiday.
