Shared by Vered Guttman
Shared by Vered Guttman
Quick Doughnuts with Cherry Jam
Yield: 30 small doughnuts, with leftover jam
Quick Doughnuts with Cherry Jam
Yield: 30 small doughnuts, with leftover jamFamily Journey
BaghdadTel Aviv
Washington, D.C.
When food writer Vered Guttman hosts her family Hanukkah party in Washington D.C, she makes these simple doughnuts with cherry jam. The doughnuts use baking powder instead of yeast, making them quick and easy to prepare for a crowd. Make sure to top these bite-sized treats with a generous dusting of powdered sugar. Serve with Vered’s homemade cherry jam, creme fraiche, or your favorite store-bought jam.
Read more about Vered’s Iraqi Hanukkah traditions in “My Grandmother’s Iraqi Hanukkah Party Inspired My Own an Ocean Away,” and find her recipes for kubbeh batata (meat filled potato kubbeh) and sambousak b’tawa (chickpea and turmeric filled turnovers). You can also find more of our favorite Hanukkah recipes in this collection.
Ingredients
For the cherry jam:
- 2 lbs. fresh or frozen cherries, pitted
- 2 ½ cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup red wine, such as merlot or pinot noir
- ⅛ teaspoon ground allspice
For the doughnuts:
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- 2½ cups all purpose flour
- 2½ teaspoons baking powder
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 cups (16 oz.) nonfat Greek yogurt
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup olive oil
- Finely grated zest of 1 orange
- Pinch salt
- Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting
- Cherry jam
Preparation
Step 1
Prepare the cherry jam: Combine the cherries, sugar, and wine in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat, stirring to blend. Once the mixture starts to bubble at the edges, skim any foam from the top.
Step 2
Let simmer, uncovered, for about 40 minutes, stirring occasionally and adjusting the heat as needed, so the mixture darkens in color and thickens to form a jam. If you’re using it right away, keep at room temperature; otherwise, transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 1 week.
Step 3
Make the doughnuts: Heat 1” of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Line a platter with several layers of paper towels, or place a wire rack over a few layers of paper towels.
Step 4
Combine the flour, baking powder, sugar, yogurt, eggs, olive oil, orange zest, and salt in a mixing bowl, whisking to form a smooth batter.
Step 5
When the oil is hot (at the shimmer stage), use two tablespoons to drop 1” dollops of the batter into the oil; alternatively, oil your hands and roll the dough into small balls. Fry 5-6 at a time (do not crowd the pan) until brown, around 2 minutes per side, 4 minutes total per batch. If the doughnuts brown too quickly, reduce the heat slightly as needed.
Step 6
Repeat, frying until all of the batter has been used. Transfer the doughnuts to the platter or rack. Sprinkle with the confectioners’ sugar; serve warm, with the jam on the side for dipping.
