Israeli Hanukkah donuts (AKA sufganiyot) have taken on a life of their own in the past decade. Classic fillings like strawberry jelly or custard are annually overshadowed by bigger, bolder flavors โ match-white chocolate! Berry pavlova! Orange-elderberry!ย
This year, the sufganiyot stakes were raised once again. So weโve rounded up the best of them, from cereal milk-infused fillings to donut-flavor popsicles and, most notably, a barrage of savory sufganiyot. Things have gotten weird, and we are here for it. Letโs dive in.ย
1. Chocolate โHotdogโ
From Jacobs Bakery, Kiryat Ono.
No folks, this sufganiya isnโt really a hotdog, but an oval donut sliced lengthways, then filled with vanilla cream with a log of raspberry ganache coated in milk chocolate (the hotdog part) perched on top. Drizzles of strawberry โketchupโ and passion fruit โmustardโ complete the look. ย
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2. Date and Nougat
From Kadosh Bakery, Jerusalem.
Coined the โAbu Dhabi,โ referencing the 2020 peace deal between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, this donut celebrates Emirati dates. Stuffed with a date cream, topped with nut and cocoa nib nougat, finished with gold leaf, this sufganiya is a decadent taste of the Middle East.
3. DIY Kanafeh
From Nitzan Sasson (@nitzsweets).
Paying homage to the flavors and textures of the Middle Eastern pastry, kanafeh, this donut is filled with sweet cheese and has a nest of caramelized kadaif (shredded phyllo) perched on top. It also comes with a test tube of fragrant syrup to pour lavishly over the donut at your whim.
4. Foie Gras and Fried Onion
From Pita Basta, various branches.
This is the indulgent Hanukkah treat we all deserve this year. Crispy fried onions that offset the rich foie gras are stuffed into a donut โ cut in half, burger-style, with a brรปlรฉe top. Probably best to limit yourself to just the one.
5. Cereal Milk
From The Showroom Bakehouse, Tel Aviv.
A playful reimagining of beloved childhood breakfasts, these โCereal Killerโ sufganiyot are filled with creme patisserie infused with sweet cereal, like fragrant Cini Minis, fruity Trix, and chocolate Crunch.
6. Everything but the Bagel
From Paz Gavigon (@paz_gavigon).
Your Sunday morning bagel got turned up a notch. These savory donuts are generously covered in everything but the bagel-style seasoning and filled with flavored cream cheese, like basil and smoked salmon. Brunch goals.
7. Jelly Donut Popsicle
From Paletas, Tel Aviv.
The sufganyeta โ no, this isnโt a term you failed to pick up at Hebrew school โ is not your traditional sufganiya. Because it isnโt one; itโs a donut flavor popsicle created by Tel Avivโs favorite all-natural popsicle company. The outer layer is made from donut-infused milk (sweet and creamy), which surrounds a homemade berry jelly center.
8. Prinsesstรฅrta
From Fika Bakery, Tel Aviv.
Fusing Swedish sweet treats with White City flavors, Fikaโs drool-worthy sufganiya selection is full of unusual pairings. Our favorite donut is inspired by the classic Swedish Prinsesstรฅrta (princess cake). Itโs filled with creme patissiere and raspberry jam, and topped with mint-colored marzipan crowned with a perfect pink marzipan rose.
Header image credit to Betenmelea, Paz_gavigon and Kadosh Bakery via Instagram.
