How to Make Hanukkah Dough Balls

Hanukkah celebrations often include foods fried in oil to honor the story of Hanukkah. In this biblical story, the holy temple's oil lasted eight days instead of one. While fried dough balls aren't a traditional holiday treat, they do fit the spirit of Hanukkah because they are fried in symbolic oil.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/4 cup sugar
• Butter
• 1/2 cup milk
• 3 cups flour
• Frying pan
• 1 tbsp. canola oil
• Thermometer
• 2 tsps. yeast
• Cinnamon
• 3/4 cup water

Make Hanukkah Dough Balls for the Holiday

1. Mix all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl or in a bread maker's dough cycle. Place a clean dish towel over the bowl and let the dough rise until it is double its original size.

2. Place the dough on a floured cutting board. Knead and punch the dough, then roll the dough out until it is about an 1/8 of an inch thick.

3. Slice the dough into strips that are 2 inches long, then cut them into small squares. Cover the dough and let it rest for 10 minutes.

4. Fill a frying pan with 2 inches of canola oil. Heat the oil to 360 degrees F., testing it with a thermometer.

5. Pick up a dough square and roll it into a ball with your hands. Gently place it in the oil without inserting your fingers into the oil.

6. Make sure the dough ball browns on all sides and then remove it with tongs and let it cool on a layer of heavy duty paper towels. Put a plate under the paper towels so the dough balls don't roll away. Repeat for the rest of your balls.

7. Cover the dough balls in melted butter after they have cooled a bit and roll them in cinnamon and sugar. Serve them with tea.

8. Make a savory garlic spread from butter and toasted garlic to put on the dough balls if you aren't in the mood for something sweet.

Tips & Warnings

• It is very important to test the temperature of the oil before dropping in the dough balls. The dough will absorb the oil if it is too cold and won't cook properly if it is too hot.
• If you want to freeze the uncooked dough to cook at a later date, be sure to wrap it in plastic wrap. Defrost the dough by leaving it to thaw and rise overnight before frying it.
• Don't freeze fried dough, as it doesn't defrost well. Fried dough is always best served fresh out of the oil.