Loukoumades (Sephardic Greek Doughnuts)

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This recipe was reprinted with permission from Breaking Matzo

Given the connection between the Jews and the Greeks in the Hanukkah story, in this recipe we celebrate the centuries-long culinary traditions of Greek Jews.

Loukoumades is a popular Greek fried-dough pastry. Greek Jews often call this classic Greek pastry zvingous or zvingoi and make them for Hanukkah. In Italy, the classic fried dough dish is Sfingi di San Giuseppe. In Spain and Mexico it is a bimuelo.

Whatever they are called, and wherever they are made, these doughnuts are delightful treats made from deep fried dough coated with honey syrup. They differ from sufaganiyot (Hanukkah jelly-filled doughnuts) in that the dough rises only once. The dough is a bit sticky but they are quicker to make. And you can infuse the honey syrup with your favorite flavorings. We used orange juice as well as rose water. Both delicious!

 

Ingredients for for doughnuts

  • 1 packet yeast
  • 3/4 cup water + 2 Tbsp. warm water to activate yeast
  • 2-1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 2 tsp. sugar
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • pinch of salt
  • vegetable oil for frying

Honey syrup

  • 1 cup honey
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 Tbsp. rose water or orange juice

Toppings

  • chopped pistachios
  • chopped walnuts

Directions

Make the honey syrup

1. Heat the honey and water until it is well combined.

2. Take off heat and stir in the rose water or orange juice. Set aside.

Make the dough

1. Pour contents of yeast packet into a bowl and mix in 2 tbsp warm water. Let yeast activate for about 10 minutes. Small bubbles should form.

2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, egg and salt with a wooden spoon or whisk.
Slowly pour in the 3/4 cup water until a sticky dough forms.

3. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for an hour.

Fry the doughnuts

1. Heat a deep, heavy pot filled 3″ high with vegetable oil to 350º

2. Wet your hands and dip a large spoon in oil and spoon out some dough into your hands. It’s tricky but try to form the dough into a round then carefully lower into the oil. If they come out in more of a fritter shape, don’t worry. They will still taste delicious.

3. Move the dough around in the oil with a slotted spoon until the donuts are lightly brown on all sides.

4. Carefully remove from oil with slotted spoon and immediately lower into your honey syrup. Coat generously and place on serving platter or roll them in your favorite nuts. We love pistachios and walnuts.

Eat immediately. They taste best warm.

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