Sopaipillas

Recipe adapted from The Homesick Texan (a blogger after my own heart) 

1 package active dry yeast
1 1/2 cups warm water
1 tbsp. of butter, melted
1 tbsp. of sugar
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
vegetable oil
sugar
cinnamon
honey

 Combine the yeast and the warm water and let set for five minutes.  In the meantime, combine the salt and flour which I added to my mixer bowl.  Attach the paddle attachment to mixer.

Then add the melted butter

 and then add the sugar.  Combine completely, I used a small whisk

Add the warm milk to the flour with the mixer on low

Knead for a minute or two, until dough is smooth and elastic (shhhh! don't tell my mom [she'll rollover in her grave] nor my tias or comadres that I used a mixer instead of my bare hands like they did - I'll NEVER hear the end of it!!)

Grease a bowl with butter, lard, or even PAM

Place dough in greased bowl

Cover and let rise for an hour or until it doubles in size (start to the oil in the fryer or in a big pot, 3" inches deep)

Once the dough has doubled in size, punch it down on a floured surface

and get ready to roll to a 1/4" inch rectangle. . . . or as close as you can get to a rectangle....hey, don't laugh at mine!

Using a knife or a pizza cutter, cut out triangles

The author of these Sopaipillas did not ask to poke holes but I can hear my mom telling me to.  I think that's the extent of what I did to help my mom when she made Sopaipillas.  So yea, poke holes in each triangle

 

Gently place in hot oil (do not drop or throw in, you'll burn yourself with the very hot oil

 Fry on both sides for at least 1 minute. . .

. . . .or until golden brown

Remove with a metal slotted spoon or anything else you can find, as long as it's metal and it has holes for the oil to drain

Place on paper towels.  At this point you can leave alone or add the sugar and cinnamon while it's still warm.

I personally like mine plain with honey - SO GOOD!!

The cinnamon sugar ones were very popular with family members - they literally disappeared!!

Sopaipillas are similar to Indian Fry Bread or those sugary dough balls you find at Asian buffets.  I grew up eating Sopaipillas as mom often made them and when she did, they disappeared as quick as she could made them.  It's a popular treat found at every Mexican restaurant and Mexican family gathering.  I love my plain and sometimes with honey and always with coffee.  

We had a family gathering yesterday and these were a hit!!  My kids have always loved them, even as adults.

Thanks to Homesick Texan for this recipe.  She's a new favorite of mine!!

Hope you're enjoying your weekend and remember to savor every moment!