Sopapillas - Go Salty or Sweet (Sweet!)

Making sopapillas is a great way to get acquainted with some traditional Hispanic baked goods. Sopapillas can be served as a dessert, which is what I chose to do, or they can be stuffed with ground beef, chicken, or beans for a more savory treat. View the recipe as almost a canvas to try out all your favorite toppings and stuffings. If you don’t eat meat, stuff your sopapillas with sweet potatoes, black beans, adzuki beans, or other veggies.

These are the perfect dessert to get creative. If you’re serving them as a dessert consider drizzling honey, chocolate, or powdered sugar on top. You could also stuff them with a fruit marmalade or jam. Pair with a good cup of coffee in the morning or enjoy with a nice red wine in the evening.

Make sure that you roll them out thin enough, because they will expand significantly. If they are too thick they will burn on the outside and still be doughy on the inside. Watch them carefully when you’re frying them up because they brown quickly. Have a paper towel ready for when they’re done to get the excess grease off. Serve them immediately while they’re still warm.

Traditional Sopapillas

Makes 14

2 cups unbleached all purpose flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1 tbsp raw sugar
¾ tsp sea salt
¾ cup warm water

1 tbsp vegetable oil (for batter)
2 cups vegetable oil (for frying)
4 tbsp raw honey
4 tbsp powdered sugar

Method

1. Sift the flour, baking powder, sugar, and sea salt into a medium sized bowl.

2. Add water and 1 tbsp oil to the bowl. Combine with a wooden spoon until the flour is fully incorporated.

3. Flour your hands and then knead the dough for about two minutes. Do not over knead the dough or the end product will be too dense.

4. Add to an oiled Ziploc bag and place in the refrigerator for two hours.

5. Separate the dough into 14 pieces. Shape the dough into balls and then roll them out into 4 inch pieces. About 1 inch thick. Let the dough rest under plastic for about 17 minutes.

6. Fill a deep pot with 3 inches of vegetable oil and heat to 350 degrees.

7. Add the dough to the oil. Watch carefully and turn after it has browned on one side. Once the whole sopapilla is browned, place on a paper towel.

8. Top with honey and powdered sugar. Serve warm.