Chanuka Sufganiot

Chanuka is here and of course we have to make Sufganiot!!! 

when it comes to shaping you can really go to town and use and cookie cutters in any shape and size! we went for good old Micky Mouse and 'ginger bread men' for Maccabees.

Sufganiot

1 package dry yeast

1 1/2 cups warm water or milk

3 1/2 to 4 cups bread flour

1/2 cup sugar

1  tsp. salt

Jam for filling of sprinkle with castor sugar

 canola oil (for frying)

Dissolve yeast in 1 1/2 cup warm water.  Do not mix, allow to stand for 5 minutes.  Mix in 1 cup flour then sugar and salt.  Mix in remaining flour until you have a smooth, non-sticky dough.  Knead on lightly floured surface.  Place in lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let rise until dough is doubled in warm, turned off oven (about 2 hours).  

Turn out dough onto floured surface.  Roll out with a rolling pin.  The thickness depends on what you prefer.  i made both really thin and slightly thicker(1cm thickness) and both were great! Now using any shape cookie cutters cut out your doughnuts.  you can do plain round ones too;)
Heat oil in a frying pan on medium heat (not too hot or they burn on the outside and stay raw on the inside) and fry for a minute or two on each side.
When ready, roll in sugar cinnamon mixture and enjoy!

parashat beshalach

Bnei Yisrael are fleeing from Mitzrayim and find themselves between the sea and the Mitzrim that are chasing them. They realize there is nowhere to go other than walk into the sea.  This is a big test for bnei Yisrael.  They have to show complete faith in Hashem.  They show that they trust that Hashem will perform miracles and get them across the sea.  Nachshon ben Aminadav is the first to jump into the water.  He walks in until the water is shoulder deep and then suddenly the water completely splits.  There is dry land infront of them and the water forms into glass walls.

These cupcakes are decorated with whipped Riches whip to illustrate the splitting of the sea.  Using the back of a teaspoon, (like I did with the burning bush) create the waves and the wall.  then mixing the whip with a different colour, make little dots for the people walking through.

When Bnei Yirael arrive at an area called 'Massa' they realize that they are thirsty and there is no water in sight.  Moshe is commanded by Hashem to hit a rock and water pours out of it.

hoping you have a wonderful Shabbos!