Malida To Sufganiyot: 3 Sweets That Comprise Indian Jews' Hanukkah

Starting on December 7, Hanukkah is celebrated with lots of fried foods. Here are three delectable desserts that are prepared in India during this festival.

We are in the peak of holiday season enjoying festivals like Thanksgiving and Winter Solstice. Christmas is around the corner, and everyone is preparing to celebrate it in the most joyful way. However, there is another exciting festival that falls in December called Hanukkah. Jewish from all over the world celebrate this festival with great joy and fervor.

As per the Hebrew calendar, it is observed for eight to nine days beginning from 25th day of Kislev and this year it falls between the 7th and 15th of December. There are many rituals followed during Hanukkah and it is a tradition to eat deep fried dishes on the festival. Just like other festivals, desserts also hold an important place on this celebration.

So, to sweeten up this occasion here are three desserts that Indian Jew’s prepare on Hanukkah. Do try them and enjoy with your family:

Malida

Made with whole wheat flour, semolina, milk and jaggery, it is very popular among Pashtun and Persian households. Flavored with a lot of dry fruits like pistachios, cashews and almonds, it is relished in the form of laddoos.

Ingredients

• 1 cup wheat flour
• 1 cup semolina
• 1 cup ghee
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tsp cardamom powder
• Mixed dry fruits

Method

• Make dough with wheat flour, semolina, ghee and milk. Let it sit for 15 minutes.
• Roll into parathas with lots of desi ghee. Once cooled, break them using a mixer.
• Then add cardamom powder, powdered sugar and fried mixed nuts to it.
• Mix everything well and it's ready to serve.

Chocolate Babka

Belonging to the region of Eastern Europe, this Jewish sweet pastry is loved by all. Babka is prepared with a variety of fillings but if you are fond of chocolates then, this version is a must try for you. It is often served with the dusting of powdered sugar.

Ingredients

• 4-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2-1/2 tsp quick-rise yeast
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 2/3 cup butter
• 1/2 cup water
• 3 eggs + 1 egg yolk, beaten
• 2 tbsp grated orange zest

Filling:

• 1/2 cup butter, cubed
• 5 ounces dark chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1/3 cup baking cocoa
• 1/4 tsp salt

Glaze:

• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup water

Method

• In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, yeast and salt. Add in butter until crumbly. In a saucepan, heat water and stir into dry ingredients. Stir in eggs and yolk, orange zest and enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Knead until smooth. Place in a greased bowl, cover and refrigerate overnight.
• Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface and divide in half. Roll both into a 12x10-in. rectangle. For filling, melt butter and chocolate chips in a microwave stir until smooth.
• Stir in sugar, cocoa and salt. Spread filling and roll up jelly-roll style. With the help of a knife, cut each roll lengthwise in half. Loosely twist strips around each other and pinch ends together to seal.
• Place in 2 greased 9x5-inch loaf pans, cut side up. Cover with kitchen towels; let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour. Preheat the oven to 375°. Bake for 35-45 minutes. Meanwhile, combine sugar and water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Brush it over warm babka. Let it cool for 10 minutes in the wire racks. Enjoy.

Sufganiyot

Originally from Israel, this deep-fried donut is relished all over the world during Hanukkah. It is traditionally filled with jam or jelly, but you can also find many variations that have the flavors of custard, pumpkin butter, apple butter and Nutella.

Ingredients

• 4 cups self-rising flour
• 16-ounce yogurt
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tbsp white sugar
• 2 tbsp vanilla sugar
• 1 pinch salt
• 3 quarts vegetable oil for frying

Method

• Combine flour, yogurt, eggs, sugar, vanilla and salt in a mixing bowl and combine well. Let the dough sit for 30 minutes. Then shape the dough into 2-inch balls.
• Heat vegetable oil to 365 degrees F (190 degrees C) in a large skillet over high heat. Deep-fry the prepared balls in hot oil until golden brown for about 3 minutes,
• Make sure to fry them in small batches, turning them halfway through. Use a slotted spoon to transfer donuts to a paper towel-lined plate and repeat until the dough is over. Serve.