Pbenjay's Blog

Ponchik

I thought I’d post a Hanukkah recipe but it was really difficult to find one I dared to print.  After all, I know every family has their own version of Matzah Ball soup and Latkes.  I might try for a Brisket recipe but for today, I’m sticking with Raspberry Ponchik.  mouth-watering fried doughnuts filled with raspberry jelly. 

Polish ponchik are fried doughnuts stuffed with jelly; Eastern European Jews brought these with them as they moved to Israel. This quick and easy recipe allows anyone to celebrate Hanukkah with homemade jelly doughnuts.

Serves 5

Ingredients

1 (10 count) package of pre-made refrigerated biscuits
24 oz canola oil (for frying)
¼ cup raspberry jelly or jam (or feel free to use your favorite flavor)
¼ cup sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon

Directions

1. Separate biscuits and flatten them so diameter is about 4 inches.
2. Place about a teaspoon of jelly or jam in the center of each biscuit. Bring the edges together to form a ball. Pinch it closed at the top to seal in the filling.
3. When all 10 ponchik are ready, pour the oil in a saucepan and bring to 350 degrees F. While waiting for the oil to reach temperature, pour sugar and cinnamon onto a plate.
4. When oil is ready, use a slotted spoon to lower ponchik into oil. Cook for about 2 minutes on each side, until the dough is cooked through and golden brown.
5. Remove from oil with slotted spoon and place on plate with cinnamon sugar. Gently roll the ponchik to coat. Be careful, ponchik will be hot.

Recipe from Jewish Holidays Cookbook by Jill Bloomfield