Chef‘s note:
I make these amazing donuts every year as a perfect dessert and they are the star of the show specifically during Hanukkah. This is a German donut called “Quarkbällchen,” a dreamy pastry that is unique to the part of Germany I come from. It’s sold in threes in paper bags. The Quarkbällchen has a crispy coating and a soft inside that gives a flexible bite, and the outside is coated with a crunchy cinnamon sugar coating. I like serving them during Hanukkah with a stick like a lollipop (donut pops) with many toppings so you can dip it in whatever you want and decorate to your imagination. (Between you and me, they are best fresh and rolled in sugar but the colorful toppings are a part of the fun!)
ingredients:
250 grams flour (1 and ¾ cups)
250 grams 5% white cheese
½ teaspoon salt
150 grams sugar (¾ cup)
Half a packet of baking powder
Half a packet of vanilla sugar
2 eggs
Oil for deep frying
Serve with
Cinnamon sugar mixture (one cup of sugar mixed in a bowl with a flat tablespoon of cinnamon)
White/dark/milk chocolate ganache
Lotus cookie ganache
Sprinkles
Hazelnut croquant
Toasted coconut
M&M candies
Chocolate chips
Oreo cookie or chocolate chip cookie pieces
Strawberries and fresh berries
Sweet whipped cream
Jam
And anything else you like!
Preparation
Heat a pot with oil for deep frying to 170 degrees Celsius
In a mixer with a flat beater attachment or a hand mixer, mix the batter ingredients until a sticky dough forms. Using two gloves, make balls and put them immediately into the hot frying oil. You can also move the mixture into a piping bag and pipe in the batter.
Work quickly and fry 8 balls at once. Once the balls are golden brown remove from the oil and move to a plate with a paper towel on it for a few seconds.
Roll the balls in the cinnamon sugar mixture. Let them rest until they cool to room temperature. Or serve at the table with a variety of toppings for everyone to make what they like!
Making the ganache:
Dark chocolate: heat up a packet of whipping cream (250 mil) until boiling. Pour over 250 grams of high quality chopped dark chocolate and stir until melted.
Milk chocolate: heat up a packet of whipping cream (250 mil) until boiling. Pour over 375 grams of high quality chopped milk chocolate and stir until melted.
White chocolate: heat up a packet of whipping cream (250 mil) until boiling. Pour over 500 grams of high quality chopped white chocolate and stir until melted.
Lotus cookie ganache: pour the lotus cookie spread into a small saucepan or a microwave-safe bowl. Heat until softened and melted. You can add a few tablespoons of whipping cream to reach the desired consistency.
Arrange the bowls of indulgent toppings on the table with the bowls of ganache. Serve the warm donuts with sticks of small wooden skewers so it’s easy for everyone to dip the donut in their favorite toppings.
