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    Home » Recipes » Jewish

    Lime Curd Sufganiyot | Dairy-Free

    Published: Nov 18, 2020 Modified: Nov 18, 2020 by Candice This post may contain affiliate links.

    JUMP TO RECIPE PIN RECIPE
    Rows of filled donuts.
    Filled donuts in a wood box.
    Filled donuts in a wood box.
    Rows of filled donuts.
    Rows of filled donuts.

    I love using key lime in desserts, and these delicious warm Lime Curd Sufganiyot are filled with the most amazing key lime curd. You can make the curd up to one week in advance. Perfect for serving as a dessert or a sweet treat - they taste the absolute best when they are just freshly made.

    Plus these Lime Curd Sufganiyot are dairy-free for kosher and dairy-free diet enjoyment. Happy Channukah!

    Filled donuts in a wood box.
    TABLE OF CONTENTS hide
    1 Why this Recipe Works
    2 Ingredients You Need
    3 How to Make this Recipe
    4 Sufganiyot FAQs
    5 Looking for More Jewish Recipes?
    6 Lime Curd Sufganiyot (Dairy-Free)

    Why this Recipe Works

    Sufganiyot are traditionally filled with pureed jam, and curd is an unlikely filling because it can run. I'm adding a thickener in the curd so it sets wonderfully. Key lime is such a fresh, tart flavor that works well for dessert recipes, as it complements and cuts through the fried dough.

    The technique of filling the Sufganiyot with the curd rather than using it as a sauce or glaze means that with every bite you get an even taste of the dough with the curd.

    This recipe is dairy-free so if you keep kosher or have a dairy-free diet, you can enjoy these anytime and after any meal!

    Ingredients You Need

    Ingredients for lime donuts.

    coconut milk - use full-fat coconut milk for this recipe. If you are looking for a substitute, whole milk works, but the recipe will no longer be dairy-free.

    arrowroot powder - the thickener for the curd so it doesn't ooze out of the lime curd sufganiyot. You can substitute with cornstarch.

    limes - the recipe calls for key limes, but you can also use regular limes. Key limes are a little more tart, which I love, but they are both wonderful for this recipe.

    yeast - I personally do not like using wet yeast, but if you have good experience with it, go ahead. After I open my bag of dry yeast, I store it in a sealed container in the refrigerator to extend shelf life.

    How to Make this Recipe

    Combine the yeast, 1.5 teaspoons sugar, and 2 tablespoons of warm water to the bowl of a stand mixer. Let it stand until the yeast foams, ~5 minutes. If it doesn't foam, start over.

    Add 2 tablespoon of sugar, 2 egg yolks, coconut milk, lime juice and zest, salt, vanilla extract, and 1 cup of flour into the yeast mixture. Mix on low with the dough hook for about 2 minutes until combined.

    Add the vegetable oil slowly with the mixer running. Mix well. Gradually add UP TO 1 more cup of flour. Start with ½ a cup, you might not need it all. If too sticky, a tablespoon more of flour at a time flour. You want the dough to be soft, smooth, and pull away from the sides of the bowl. Knead the dough for 3 minutes to make sure it isn't sticky. If it is, add a little more flour until it isn't.

    Lightly oil a medium bowl. Place the dough in the oiled bowl and cover with a kitchen towel. Let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1-1.5 hours.

    Ball of dough in a bowl.

    In the meantime, make the curd. Whisk all the ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk constantly until thick enough to coat a spoon, 5-8 minutes. Transfer to a bowl, cover, and chill 2 hours minimum.

    Jar filled with lime curd.

    Flour your surface to roll out the dough. Roll it out to ¾ inch thick. Cut into 8 squares or use a 2.5-3-inch cookie cutter. Transfer the 8-pieces to a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover with a kitchen towel, and let rise for 45-50 minutes, until ALMOST doubled in size.

    Note: This recipe makes 8 lime curd sufganiyot. Do not try to make larger ones or the inside will not cook completely.

    Doughnut dough rising on a baking sheet.

    Heat 3-4 inches of vegetable oil to 350F. Fry 45 seconds per side. Work in small batches and make sure your temperature is stable around 350F.

    Frying dough in oil.

    Drain on paper towels. There shouldn't be much or any excess oil if you are keeping it at 350F. Let them cool slightly before filling.

    With a toothpick or skewer, make a hole in the side of each doughnut. With a piping bag fill the doughnuts with the curd. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.

    Note: If you don't have a piping back, you can cut a ¼-inch hole in the corner of a Ziploc bag.

    Sufganiyot FAQs

    What are sufganiyot?

    In Israel, doughnuts are called sufganiyot. These are a dairy-free version enjoyed during the Jewish holiday Chanukah.

    Do I need a cookie cutter?

    For this batch of sufganiyot, I used a 3-inch round cookie cutter to cut circles. However, you can also use a knife to cut the dough into squares. Then, you can re-roll the dough. Do not use cookie cutters larger than 3-inches or the sufganiyot won't cook all the way through.

    Why are these for Chanukah?

    Traditional Chanukah foods include everything fried. The traditional came from the Chanukah story, celebrating the miracle that they only had enough oil for light for 1 night, but it ended up lasting for 8 days. Since fried foods are cooked in oil, it is one way we like to celebrate the miracle.

    Why are these dairy-free?

    I have personally been trying to reduce the amount of dairy in my diet for health and social reasons. Also, for those who keep kosher, this opens up the possibilities of what else you can serve for dinner.

    Rows of filled donuts.

    Looking for More Jewish Recipes?

    • Twelve cooked latkes on a wire rack.
      Mashed Potato Latkes
    • Stack of gelt and green filling.
      Homemade Dark Chocolate Gelt (with optional filling!)
    • Cream filled donuts with candy glaze.
      Lemon Brûlée Sufganiyot
    • Cake in a glass baking dish.
      Apple Slab Olive Oil Cake

    Happy Chanukah!

    I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on INSTAGRAM, TIKTOK, and PINTEREST to see more delicious food and what I’m up to.

    Filled donuts in a wood box.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 21 votes

    Lime Curd Sufganiyot (Dairy-Free)

    Lime Curd Sufganiyot are sweet & tart with a delicious key lime curd filling inside warm fried doughnuts. Perfect for Channukah & dairy-free!
    Prep Time1 hour hr
    Cook Time10 minutes mins
    Resting Time4 hours hrs
    Total Time5 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: Jewish
    Diet: Kosher, Vegetarian
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 516kcal
    Author: Candice

    Equipment

    • Candy Thermometer

    Ingredients

    Curd:

    • 3 large eggs
    • ½ cup sugar
    • 2 teaspoon lime zest
    • ½ cup fresh key lime juice or sub. with lime juice
    • 1.5 teaspoon arrowroot powder

    Donuts:

    • 1 ¼ teaspoon yeast
    • 2 tablespoon warm water
    • 2.5 tablespoon sugar
    • 2 egg yolks
    • ¼ cup coconut milk full fat, lukewarm (100-105F)
    • ¼ lime zest
    • 1 tablespoon key lime juice or lime juice
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1.5-2 cups flour
    • 3 tablespoon vegetable oil or melted margarine
    • Vegetable oil for deep-frying
    • Powdered sugar for dusting
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Combine the yeast, 1.5 teaspoons sugar, and 2 tablespoons of warm water to the bowl of a stand mixer. Let it stand until the yeast foams, ~5 minutes. If it doesn't foam, start over.
    • Add 2 tablespoon of sugar, 2 egg yolks, coconut milk, lime juice and zest, salt, vanilla extract, and 1 cup of flour into the yeast mixture. Mix on low with the dough hook for about 2 minutes until combined.
    • Add the vegetable oil slowly with the mixer running. Mix well. Gradually add UP TO 1 more cup of flour. Start with ½ a cup, you might not need it all. If too sticky, a tablespoon more of flour at a time flour. You want the dough to be soft, smooth, and pull away from the sides of the bowl. Knead the dough for 3 minues to make sure it isn't sticky. If it is, add a little more flour until it isn't.
    • Lightly oil a medium bowl. Place the dough in the oiled bowl and cover with a kitchen towel. Let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1-1.5 hours.
    • In the meantime, make the curd. Whisk all the ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk constantly until thick enough to coat a spoon, 5-8 minutes. Transfer to a bowl, cover, and chill 2 hours minimum.
    • Flour your surface to roll out the dough. Roll it out to ¾ inch thick. Cut into 8 squares or use a 2.5-3-inch cookie cutter*. Transfer the 8-pieces to a parchment lined baking sheet, cover with a kitchen towel, and let rise for 45-50 minutes, until ALMOST doubled in size.
    • Heat 3-4 inches of vegetable oil to 350F. Fry 45 seconds per side. Work in small batches and make sure your temperature is stable around 350F.
    • Drain on paper towels. There shouldn't be much or any excess oil if you are keeping it at 350F. Let them cool slightly before filling.
    • With a toothpick or skewer, make a hole in the side of each doughnut. With a piping bag** fill the doughnuts with the curd. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.

    Notes

    *This recipe makes 8 sufganiyot. Do not try to make larger ones or the inside will not cook completely.
    **If you don't have a piping bag, you can cut a ¼-inch hole in the corner of a ziploc bag.
    This recipe makes enough lime curd for two batches of sufganiyot. It keeps in the refrigerator in a sealed container for up to 5 days.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 516kcal | Carbohydrates: 76g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 220mg | Sodium: 348mg | Potassium: 208mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 33g | Vitamin A: 323IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 4mg
    Did you try this recipe?Don't forget to leave a rating and/or comment! And tag @ProportionalPlate on TikTok or Instagram... I'd love to see what you're making.

    This post was originally published in December of 2018 but was republished with new photos, step by step instructions, FAQs, and tips in November of 2020.

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    1. Debbie

      December 06, 2020 at 4:05 pm

      5 stars
      These Lime curd Sufganiyots are amazing and I needed them in my life ASAP !! At first glance I thought it was a creme filled doughnut so I am so glad you explained what these little gems are . This was a fabulous recipe and I will be making it again soon .. I adore anything key lime.

      Reply
      • Candice

        December 09, 2020 at 8:34 am

        That makes me so happy to hear, Debbie... enjoy!

        Reply
    2. Moop

      December 06, 2020 at 11:55 am

      5 stars
      Love this dairy-free option and the detailed instructions and info about sufganiyot. You definitely want to make this one!

      Reply
      • Candice

        December 09, 2020 at 8:33 am

        Glad to hear it, Moop!

        Reply
    3. Ramona

      December 06, 2020 at 11:31 am

      5 stars
      WOW, these dairy-free lime sufganiyot are to die for! they are super fluffy and the amount of creme filled inside is just the perfect amount. Thank you for sharing this recipe.

      Reply
      • Candice

        December 09, 2020 at 8:32 am

        You're so welcome, Ramona... I'm glad to hear you liked them!

        Reply
    4. Eva

      December 05, 2020 at 1:02 pm

      5 stars
      I love that I have learned something new today! I knew nothing about Jewish doughnuts, and the lime filling is totally delicious and the doughnuts are easy to make! I was a bit intimidated by the frying procedure, but turned out to be easier than I thought.

      Reply
      • Candice

        December 09, 2020 at 8:31 am

        I'm so glad to hear it, Eva... enjoy!

        Reply
    5. Denise

      December 03, 2020 at 7:21 am

      5 stars
      I had never tried sufganiyot, but now I want to make them all the time! They are delicious and that lime curd was AMAZING!

      Reply
      • Candice

        December 03, 2020 at 1:15 pm

        That makes me so happy to hear, Denise...enjoy!

        Reply
    6. Dennis

      December 01, 2020 at 11:37 pm

      5 stars
      I am drooling over these right now! This is now one of my favorite things to make!

      Reply
      • Candice

        December 03, 2020 at 1:19 pm

        I'm so glad to hear that, Dennis... thank you for sharing!!

        Reply
    7. Valerie

      December 01, 2020 at 3:27 am

      5 stars
      I can't believe this is made without any dairy! They tasted so good. I will be making the curd just to eat with a spoon next time because it was so good!

      Reply
      • Candice

        December 01, 2020 at 3:10 pm

        That makes me so happy to hear, Valerie... that's how hubby eats it, too!

        Reply
    8. Aleta

      November 30, 2020 at 5:24 pm

      5 stars
      These donuts are SO good. I was looking for a dairy free dessert to bring to my sisters ( who is dairy free 😉 ) and these are perfect! She's going to flip when I bring these over!

      Reply
      • Candice

        December 03, 2020 at 1:02 pm

        I'm so glad to hear it... would love to hear what she thinks!!

        Reply
    9. Gloria

      November 30, 2020 at 8:33 am

      5 stars
      I had never made lime curd, but I do LOVE lemon curd, so this was a must-make for me. I LOVE these key lime sufganiyot...so they were a hit. There is always room in the day for a delicious treat. Especially this time of year.

      Reply
      • Candice

        November 30, 2020 at 3:00 pm

        I'm so glad you liked them with the lime curd, Gloria!

        Reply
    10. Michelle | Sift & Simmer

      November 24, 2020 at 6:16 pm

      5 stars
      Loved reading about sufganiyot, Candice! They look amazing, and love how they're dairy-free too!

      Reply
      • Candice

        November 27, 2020 at 10:08 am

        Thank you so much, Michelle!

        Reply
    Newer Comments »

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    Meet Candice

    On this blog, I get to share the food that I love, and get to enjoy in my own home. My Persian Jewish heritage influences most of my recipes, and my travels inspire them. And I'm sure you'll notice my love for everything matcha. Welcome, and enjoy!

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