Sweet Carnival Fried Dough
This delicious sweet treat, reminiscent of festive state fairs and bustling carnivals, is known by many names across the country. In Portland, Oregon, it's lovingly called 'Elephant Ears.' Our family enjoys topping these with an array of delightful options including melted butter, cinnamon, powdered sugar with a splash of lemon juice, mini chocolate chips, honey, and fresh berries. Customize your toppings to suit your taste and share with us your family's favorite creations!
6
Servings
N/A
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
Milk
1/2 cup (Warm)
Water
3/4 cup
Canola oil
1 tablespoon
Salt
1 teaspoon
Sugar
1/4 cup
Flour
3 cups (All-purpose)
Yeast
2 teaspoons (Active dry)
Instructions
1
Combine the warm milk, water, canola oil, salt, sugar, flour, and yeast in the bowl of a bread maker. Set to the dough cycle. Alternatively, mix all ingredients in a large mixing bowl, blend vigorously, and cover with a cloth to rise until doubled in size.
2
Once the dough has risen, turn it out onto a floured surface. Punch it down and knead lightly to smooth out.
3
Roll the dough to a thickness of approximately 1/8 inch. Cut into 2 1/2-inch wide strips, then cut the strips into smaller squares, or stretch pieces of dough by hand into irregular shapes.
4
Cover the dough pieces with a clean cloth and let them rest for about 10 minutes to relax the gluten.
5
Fill a large fry pan with about three inches of cooking oil. Heat the oil to 360 degrees Fahrenheit, ensuring it’s hot enough to fry without soaking but not so hot that the dough burns before cooking through.
6
Gently lower several dough pieces at a time into the oil. Fry until golden brown on one side, then flip and fry the other side.
7
Remove from oil using tongs or a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
8
Immediately brush each fried dough piece with melted butter, then sprinkle with powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar. Add additional toppings as desired and serve warm.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sweet Carnival Fried Dough?
It is a sweet treat reminiscent of festive state fairs and bustling carnivals, often topped with sugar or honey.
What are Elephant Ears?
Elephant Ears is the name lovingly given to this sweet fried dough in Portland, Oregon.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe makes approximately 6 servings.
What type of flour should I use for fried dough?
The recipe calls for 3 cups of all-purpose flour.
Can I use a bread maker for this recipe?
Yes, you can combine the ingredients in a bread maker and use the dough cycle.
How do I make the dough without a bread maker?
Mix ingredients in a large bowl, blend vigorously, and cover with a cloth to rise until doubled in size.
What is the correct frying temperature for the oil?
Heat the cooking oil to 360 degrees Fahrenheit.
How much oil do I need for frying?
Fill a large fry pan with about three inches of cooking oil.
How thick should the dough be rolled out?
Roll the dough to a thickness of approximately 1/8 inch.
Why does the dough need to rest for 10 minutes?
Resting the dough for 10 minutes helps to relax the gluten before frying.
What kind of yeast is used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 2 teaspoons of active dry yeast.
Should the milk be cold or warm?
The 1/2 cup of milk should be warm when added to the mixture.
How should I cut the dough into pieces?
Cut the dough into 2 1/2-inch wide strips, then into smaller squares or irregular shapes.
How do I know when the dough is finished frying?
Fry the dough until it is golden brown on both sides.
What should I do immediately after frying the dough?
Drain the dough on paper towels and then immediately brush with melted butter.
What are common toppings for fried dough?
Common toppings include cinnamon, powdered sugar, honey, mini chocolate chips, and fresh berries.
Can I use lemon juice as a topping?
Yes, a popular combination is powdered sugar with a splash of lemon juice.
What type of oil goes into the dough mixture?
One tablespoon of canola oil is included in the dough ingredients.
Is there salt in this dough?
Yes, the recipe requires 1 teaspoon of salt.
How much sugar is in the dough itself?
The dough mixture contains 1/4 cup of sugar.
What happens if the oil is not hot enough?
If the oil is too cool, the dough will soak up excess oil rather than frying quickly.
What happens if the oil is too hot?
If the oil is too hot, the dough may burn on the outside before the inside is fully cooked.
How much water is needed for the recipe?
The recipe requires 3/4 cup of water.
What category of food does this fall under?
This recipe is categorized as a Yeast Bread.
How do I remove the dough from the hot oil?
Use tongs or a slotted spoon to safely remove the fried dough from the oil.
Should I knead the dough after it rises?
Yes, once risen, punch it down and knead lightly on a floured surface to smooth it out.
Can I use mini chocolate chips?
Yes, mini chocolate chips are a suggested delightful topping.
Is this a family-friendly recipe?
Yes, it is described as a family favorite that is fun to customize with different toppings.
How many ingredients are in the dough?
The basic dough consists of 7 ingredients: milk, water, canola oil, salt, sugar, flour, and yeast.
Should the fried dough be served warm or cold?
It is best served warm, immediately after the toppings are added.