Hanukkah in 2020

Hanukkah, also known as The Festival of Lights, is the Jewish festival that is celebrated with nightly menorah lighting. Traditionally, Hanukkah is celebrated in the company of family and close friends as they gather around the menorah and share stories of strength and survival.

However, this year Hanukkah was like no other with the celebrations taking place in isolation or only with family members. The story of Hanukkah is grounded in the idea of triumphing against all odds, something everyone has strived to do during the COVID-19 pandemic. What better way to continue to do so than to refuse to let the virus put out your light?

Edan Leshnick, of acclaimed Breads Bakery in New York City, recently joined TODAY and showcased how to make two of his favorite sweet desserts. His first creation was a festive Linzer tart. This magnificent looking tart is perfect for any holiday celebration. The buttery crust is filled with the flavors of hazelnuts and raspberries then topped with seasonal snowflake crust.

His second creation is delicious looking Sufganiyot (an Israeli style doughnut). Jelly doughnuts are traditionally served for Hanukkah celebrations. The tender, fluffy doughnuts are usually filled with fruit jelly, but at Breads Bakery they fill them with dulce de leche, coffee custard and chocolate-hazelnut spread.

Be sure to stop in and check out one of the three Breads Bakery locations in NYC!