Jelly Doughnut Cupcakes have all the wonderful flavors of a jelly doughnut without the hassle of frying. They would be lovely for a Hanukkah celebration even though they do not include the rich symbolism of oil.

Sufganiyot are perfect if you are looking for such a symbolic recipe. They are deep-fried Israeli delicacies which symbolize the miracle of the burning oil lamps in the ancient Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Basically delicious, proper jelly doughnuts. There is a good recipe for them here.

But, if you have cupcakes on the brain, like me (and don’t deep fry a lot, like me) Jelly Doughnut Cupcakes are very welcome indeed.

Jelly Doughnut Cupcakes

Ingredients:

200g(8oz) butter, softened plus 3 Tbs melted
200g(8oz) sugar, plus 2 tbsp
2 eggs, plus 1 yolk
300g/10oz self raising flour
100ml milk
1/2 tsp baking powder
12 tsp strawberry jam
4 sugar cubes, roughly crushed

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 180℃/350℉.

2. Combine the softened butter, sugar, eggs and egg yolk, milk, baking powder and flour into a bowl.
Beat together until it forms a smooth, soft batter.

3. Line a 12-hole muffin pan with cupcake liners and fill the cases 2/3 full with batter. Make a small dip in the batter, with the back of a spoon, and fill it with 1 tsp of jam.

4. Top with remaining batter, ensuring all jam is fully covered.

5. Bake in the oven for 25 minutes or until cupcake has risen and cooked through.

6. Leave to cool for about 5 minutes then brush each cupcake with the melted butter and sprinkle or roll each cupcake in the crushed sugar.

Recipe from BBC Good Food Magazine

Musically, this is completely ridiculous. But, it makes me smile.

I have no idea what Yerachmiel is singing in this song. It might be ridiculous, but I’m pretty sure it is definitely not (From what I have read, his lyrics are deeply connected to Torah concepts).

I love Yerachmiel’s voice and the cool, lively rhythm here.
Yerachmiel-Yom Shekulo

Check out Yerachmiel on Myspace, Facebook and on his Website. He has a new album coming out on December 19th in time for Chanukah.

You can buy Yerachmiel’s music here.

Cheers!