Cinnamon Rings -

Cinnamon Rings

Ingredients

225g/8oz/2 cups plain (all-purpose) flour
Pinch of salt
5ml/1 tsp baking powder
2.5ml/½ tsp ground anise
115g/4oz/½ cup caster (superfine) sugar
1 large (US extra large) egg
120ml/4fl oz/½ cup milk
50g/2oz/¼ cup butter
Oil for deep frying
10ml/2 tsp ground cinnamon
Cinnamon sticks, to decorate

Details

Makes: 12

Method

1. Sift the flour, salt, baking powder and ground anise into a mixing bowl. Add 30ml/2 tbsp of the caster sugar.

2. Place the egg and milk in a small jug (pitcher) and whisk well with a fork. Melt the butter in a small pan.

3. Pour the egg mixture and milk gradually into the flour, stirring all the time, until well blended, then add the melted butter. Mix first with a wooden spoon and then with your hands to make a soft dough.

4. Lightly flour a work surface, tip the dough out on to it and knead for about 10 minutes, until smooth.

5. Divide the dough into 12 pieces and roll into balls. Slightly flatten each ball with your hand and then make a hole in the centre with the floured handle of a wooden spoon.

6. Heat the oil for deep frying to a temperature of 190°C/375°F, or until a cube of dried bread, added to the oil, floats and then turns a golden colour in 30-60 seconds. Fry the buñuelos in small batches until they are puffy and golden brown, turning them once or twice during cooking. As soon as they are golden, lift them out of the oil using a slotted spoon and lie them on a double layer of kitchen paper to drain.

7. Mix the remaining caster sugar with the ground cinnamon in a small bowl. Add the buñuelos, one at a time, while they are still warm, toss them in the mixture until they are lightly coated and either serve at once or leave to cool. Decorate with cinnamon sticks.

COOK'S TIP:- Buñuelos are sometimes served with syrup for dunking, which is just right when you need cheering up. For a syrup heat 175g/6oz/¾ cup soft dark brown sugar and 450ml/¾ pint/scant 2 cups water. Add a cinnamon stick and stir until the sugar dissolves, then boil and simmer for 15 minutes without stirring. Cool slightly before serving.


Energy 195Kcal/818kj; Protein 2.6g; Carbohydrate 23.5g of which sugars 10.8g; Fat 10.8g of which saturates 3.2g; Cholesterol 29mg; Calcium 44mg; Fibre 0.5g; Sodium 38mg

Related food category:

• Cheer Me Up's