Malassadas | Portuguese Doughnuts
User Reviews
4.9
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Prep Time
25 mins
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Cook Time
20 mins
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Additional Time
4 hrs
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Total Time
4 hrs 45 mins
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Servings
24 malassadas
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Calories
131 kcal
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Course
Dessert
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Cuisine
Portuguese
Malassadas | Portuguese Doughnuts
Description
This recipe for Malassadas calls for warm milk blended with butter and salt, combined with activated yeast and sugar to create a yeasted dough. Eggs are beaten until thick before mixing with the milk and yeast mixtures and flour to form a soft dough. Kneading develops gluten for structure, while the dough's slight tackiness indicates proper hydration. After rising in a buttered bowl covered with plastic wrap, the dough is ready to be shaped and fried.
Frying the doughnuts in hot oil yields a golden exterior with a delicate, airy interior. Rolling the finished malassadas in cinnamon sugar gives a sweet aromatic finish that enhances their flavor. These doughnuts provide a pleasant contrast of crisp outside and tender inside textures with a subtle sweetness from both the dough and coating.
Malassadas are enjoyed as a dessert or snack and pair well with coffee or tea. They are often made fresh and served warm to best appreciate their texture and flavor, making them a special treat for occasions or daily enjoyment alike.
Ingredients
For the doughnuts | malassadas
- 1/2 cup milk whole
- 2 tablespoons butter plus more for the bowl, unsalted
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 package active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons or 1/4 ounce)
- 1/3 cup plus 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons water 110°F (43°C, warm
- 3 large egg
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour plus more for the work surface
- cooking spray nonstick
- vegetable oil for frying
For the cinnamon sugar
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
Make the doughnuts | malassadas
- Heat the milk, butter, and salt in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until it just begins to steam and form bubbles around the edges, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool until lukewarm.
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl, dissolve the yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar in the warm water. Let stand until foamy, about 10 minutes.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or with a hand mixer in a large bowl, beat the remaining 1/3 cup sugar and the eggs on medium-high until thick and luscious looking, about 5 minutes.
- Switch to the dough hook, add the milk mixture, the yeast mixture, and the flour, and mix on low speed until a soft dough forms, about 7 minutes, adding more flour if needed. The dough should be just slightly tacky but not sticky.
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured work surface, shape into a ball, and place in a lightly buttered large bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm, draft-free spot until double in size, about 2 hours.
- Lightly coat a 13-by-18-inch rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray and turn the dough onto the pan. Press and poke it with your fingers, much like making focaccia, to help stretch it until it's about 1/2 inch thick. Lightly coat the top of the dough with cooking spray, loosely cover the pan with plastic wrap, and let the dough rest at room temperature until double in size, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
Make the cinnamon sugar
- Mix together the sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl.
Fry the doughnuts | malassadas
- Fill a medium saucepan with 3 inches of oil and heat over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (177°C) on a deep-fry or candy or instant-read thermometer. Monitor the heat to keep a steady temperature.
- Using scissors or your hands, cut or pull a 2-to-3-inch piece of dough from the baking sheet and stretch it into a 4-to-5-inch circle, then lower it into the oil and fry, turning frequently, just until golden brown on both sides and cooked through, 45 seconds to 1 1/2 minutes, depending on the size. Drain the doughnut on paper towels for 30 seconds and then toss in the cinnamon sugar. Repeat with the remaining dough. Devour warm.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 24malassadas
Amount Per Serving
Calories 131 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1malassada | |
| Calories | 131kcal | 7% |
| Carbohydrates | 25g | 8% |
| Protein | 3g | 6% |
| Fat | 2g | 3% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Trans Fat | 0.04g | 2% |
| Cholesterol | 26mg | 9% |
| Sodium | 84mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 11g | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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