Finnish Munkki - Traditional Finnish Donuts

Ingredients

• 500g (4 cups) all-purpose flour 500g (4 cups) all-purpose flour
• 100g (1/2 cup) granulated sugar 100g (1/2 cup) granulated sugar
• 10g (2 tsp) active dry yeast 10g (2 tsp) active dry yeast
• 250ml (1 cup) whole milk, lukewarm 250ml (1 cup) whole milk, lukewarm
• 2 large eggs 2 large eggs
• 60g (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, melted 60g (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp ground cardamom 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
• Vegetable oil, for frying Vegetable oil, for frying
• Powdered sugar, for dusting Powdered sugar, for dusting

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat: 10g (Saturated Fat: 4g)
• Carbohydrates: 35g (Sugars: 10g)
• Protein: 5g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 0.2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in lukewarm milk and let it sit for 5 minutes until frothy.
2. 2.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, and ground cardamom.
3. 3.
   Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the yeast mixture, melted butter, and eggs.
4. 4.
   Mix the ingredients together until a sticky dough forms.
5. 5.
   Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
6. 6.
   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.
7. 7.
   Punch down the dough and turn it out onto a floured surface.
8. 8.
   Roll the dough to a thickness of about 1.5cm (1/2 inch) and cut out circles using a round cookie cutter.
9. 9.
   Place the donuts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and cover with a kitchen towel. Let them rise for another 30 minutes.
10. 10.
    Heat vegetable oil in a deep pot or fryer to 180°C (350°F).
11. 11.
    Carefully drop a few donuts into the hot oil and fry for about 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown.
12. 12.
    Remove the donuts from the oil using a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
13. 13.
    Repeat the frying process with the remaining donuts.
14. 14.
    Once the donuts have cooled slightly, generously dust them with powdered sugar.
15. 15.
    Serve the Finnish Munkki warm and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Yeast — Ensure that the yeast is fresh and active to achieve a good rise in the dough.
• Cardamom — Use ground cardamom for convenience, but for a more intense flavor, grind whole cardamom pods and use the freshly ground spice.
• Vegetable oil — Choose a neutral-flavored oil with a high smoke point, such as canola or sunflower oil, for frying the donuts.

Tips & Tricks

• To achieve a fluffy texture, make sure the dough rises in a warm place without any drafts.
• If you prefer a less sweet donut, you can reduce the amount of powdered sugar used for dusting.
• For a fun twist, you can fill the donuts with your favorite jam or custard using a piping bag.

Serving advice

Serve the warm Munkki donuts as a delightful breakfast treat or as a sweet snack alongside a cup of coffee or tea. They are best enjoyed fresh on the day they are made.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Munkki donuts on a serving platter and generously dust them with powdered sugar. You can also sprinkle some crushed pistachios or colorful sprinkles on top for an extra touch of visual appeal.