Egyptian-style Sweet Doughnuts

Ingredients

While the original Mexican Bolas de fraile are typically made with a yeast-based dough and often filled with jam or custard, the Egyptian-style sweet doughnuts have been adapted to use a lighter dough without any filling. The flavors have also been adjusted to incorporate traditional Egyptian spices such as cardamom and cinnamon. Additionally, the doughnuts are coated in a honey glaze instead of powdered sugar. We alse have the original recipe for Bolas de fraile, so you can check it out.

• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon active dry yeast 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (120ml) warm milk 1/2 cup (120ml) warm milk
• 1 large egg 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• Vegetable oil, for frying Vegetable oil, for frying
• For the honey glaze: For the honey glaze:
• 1/2 cup (120ml) honey 1/2 cup (120ml) honey
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 280 kcal / 1172 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 8g, 4g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 48g, 20g
• Protein: 5g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 0.2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, yeast, cardamom, cinnamon, and salt.
2. 2.
   In a separate bowl, whisk together the warm milk, egg, and melted butter.
3. 3.
   Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms.
4. 4.
   Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
5. 5.
   Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
6. 6.
   Punch down the dough and divide it into small portions. Shape each portion into a ball.
7. 7.
   Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan or fryer to 180°C (350°F).
8. 8.
   Carefully drop the dough balls into the hot oil, frying them in batches until golden brown on all sides. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
9. 9.
   In a small saucepan, heat the honey and lemon juice over low heat until warmed through.
10. 10.
    Dip each doughnut into the honey glaze, ensuring they are fully coated. Place them on a wire rack to allow excess glaze to drip off.
11. 11.
    Serve the Egyptian-style sweet doughnuts warm and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Flour — Use all-purpose flour for the best texture and rise.
• Cardamom and cinnamon — Adjust the amount of spices according to your preference for flavor intensity.
• Honey — Choose a good quality honey for a rich and sweet glaze.

Tips & Tricks

• For a twist, you can add a pinch of ground nutmeg or orange zest to the dough for extra flavor.
• Make sure the oil is at the right temperature before frying to ensure the doughnuts cook evenly and don't absorb excess oil.
• Allow the doughnuts to cool slightly before dipping them in the honey glaze to prevent the glaze from melting off.

Serving advice

Serve the Egyptian-style sweet doughnuts warm for the best taste and texture. They are delicious on their own or can be enjoyed with a cup of Egyptian tea or coffee.

Presentation advice

Arrange the honey-glazed doughnuts on a serving platter and drizzle any remaining honey glaze over the top. Sprinkle with a pinch of ground cinnamon for an extra touch of elegance.