Nestled in the heart of Latin American kitchens, there exists a cherished treasure that has captivated generations with its golden, crispy exterior and irresistible sweetness – Buñuelos. These delightful fried pieces of dough are not merely a beloved dessert; they serve as vessels for precious family traditions. Today, I am delighted to share this heartwarming receta de buñuelos, a recipe that holds a special place in my heart, evoking cherished memories of my ula (grandmother) and the joy of helping her craft these delectable treats during the holiday season.
To begin this culinary journey, you’ll need ingredients that are readily available in most kitchens. The core of the dough consists of all-purpose flour, eggs, shortening, cinnamon, sugar, and a hint of vanilla essence. Simple yet magical, these ingredients come together to form the basis of the buñuelos.
The process of making buñuelos starts with blending the ingredients to form a smooth, elastic dough. Here’s where the cherished memory comes in. As a young child, I would sit with my ula, stretching the dough on my knee, feeling the warmth of her love and the delight in her eyes. Her patient guidance made the experience even more special, as she shared stories of her own childhood and the traditions that had been passed down through generations.
With the dough perfectly rested, the most thrilling moment had arrived – frying the buñuelos to a golden, heavenly perfection. Taking the delicate discs of dough, we carefully immersed them into the shimmering hot oil, eagerly observing their magical transformation into fluffy, golden orbs. The irresistible aroma that wafted through the air beckoned everyone to gather in the kitchen, eager to taste the scrumptious delights in the making.
As the buñuelos emerged from the bubbling oil, I would always volunteer for the job of showering them with a lavish coating of cinnamon sugar. The delightful aroma of sweet spice entwined with the comforting warmth of freshly fried dough, creating an irresistible temptation that was simply impossible to resist.
Finally, the buñuelos were ready to be shared with family and friends. The joy on everyone’s faces as they bit into the crispy goodness was priceless. Each buñuelo represented more than just a dessert; it symbolized the love, tradition, and togetherness we experienced in my ula’s kitchen.
Our Receta de buñuelos is not just a recipe but a beautiful journey of love and memories. As I make these golden treats today, the tradition continues with my own grandchildren, and the warmth of my ula’s kitchen comes flooding back. Enjoy!
-MBK
Receta de Buenuelos
Ingredients
- vegetable or canola oil
Dough
- 2 1/2 cups flour
- 2 whole eggs
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. baking powder
- 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 Tbsp. vegetable shortening
Cinnamon Tea
- 2 cups water
- 5 cinnamon sticks
Topping
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
Instructions
- In a medium-sized sauce pan, add water and cinnamon sticks. Bring to boil and turn off. Let cinnamon sticks steep in water for 15 minutes to make a strong tea. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all dough ingredients and kneed until smooth, 15 minutes by hand or 5 minutes on medium speed in mixmaster. Place into greased bowl, cover, and let rest for 15 minutes.
- In a wide, shallow dish, combine sugar and ground cinnamon to create the topping. Set aside.
- Place oil in a wide set pan and bring the temperature up to 350 degrees.
- Once dough has fully rested, split into 30 pieces, shape into uniform balls and cover with damp paper towel.
- Using a rolling pin, roll each piece into a very thin circle. Fry in hot oil until golden brown and immediately toss in cinnamon sugar topping mixture. Remove and place onto wire rack to cool.