Sufganiyot in Israel 2024-2025

Sufganiyot is a variety of doughnuts cooked by Jewish bakers. Usually, the locals have them for Hanukkah. The most traditional filling is fruity, but options don't end there! Nowadays, you can taste sufganiyot with cream, chocolate, and even vanilla fillings. So, if you happen to spend this time of the year in Israel, don't forget to ask for them in cafes.

Origins & History of Sufganiyot

The name "Sufganiyot" is based on the Hewbrew word "sufganiyah", which in turn, is derived from Talmud, the religious text of Rabbinic Judaism. The text mentions words sofgan and sfogga in reference to a spongy dough, which is a perfect description of the mouthwatering texture of this dessert.

Sufganiyot was first mentioned in the 16th century in the German cookbook in Nuremberg. The recipe slightly resembled the modern version, describing dough filled with jam and fried. The dish was named "Gefüllte Krapfen" and quickly grew popularity across Europe, including Poland and Germany. Since the original recipe used lard, pork fat, Polish Jews adapted it to fit with kosher laws and used chicken or goose fat to fry these pastries. The sufganiyot, known in Poland as ponchiki, were brought to Israel by Polish immigrants, where they eventually became widely known as sufganiyot and a beloved Hanukkah treat.