Chanukah Recipe: Donut Holes

In the Chanukah story one tiny jar of oil keeps the lamps burning for eight full nights. Since Chanukah celebrates this miracle, it's traditional to eat foods fried in oil as part of the festivities. We got together with Los Angeles PJ Library Connector Jennifer Stempel, aka the Cuban Reuben, to find four kid-friendly, easy to prepare, Chanukah recipes that make preparing fried (or unfried) foods easy.

MINI DONUT HOLES

Ingredients:

Vegetable oil
1 package of prepared pizza dough
¼ cup sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon

Optional topping ideas:
Powdered sugar
Cocoa
Jelly
Melted chocolate chips

Preparation:

  • In a large saute pan (or electric skillet), add enough oil so that it is about one inch deep. Heat over medium high heat (between 375 and 400 degrees). 
  • Roll out pizza dough until it is about ½-1 inch thick. Cut rounds of dough using a one inch cookie or biscuit cutter. If you've got a kid helper on hand, pass off the cookie cutters and put them to work, just make sure a grownup does the next step.
  • Carefully place each dough round in the oil, and cook about one minute per side.
  • Remove the rounds from the oil, and place them on a plate lined with paper towel.
  • Now it's time for your toppings! Combine the sugar and cinnamon in a bowl, and while the rounds are still warm, roll them in the mixture to coat. You can try some of the alternate toppings we listed above here too!
  • Serve immediately.