Indulge in a delightful taste of Cyprus with this traditional loukoumades recipe, crispy golden balls of dough, coated in honey syrup and sprinkled with cinnamon, creating a delectable treat perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
5 cups flour (2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour and 2 1/2 cups bread flour)
2 1/2 cups warm water
1 tablespoon fresh yeast
Zest of 1 medium orange
1/4 cup orange juice
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar For the syrup:
3 tablespoons honey
1.5 tablespoons water
750ml vegetable oil for frying
Cinnamon for sprinkling
Method
Combine the flour, salt, sugar, and orange zest in a mixing bowl.
Dissolve the yeast in 1/4 cup of warm water by stirring it thoroughly.
Create a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour in the diluted yeast.
Gradually add the remaining warm water until the mixture reaches a sticky, gooey consistency—not too thick nor too thin. Whisk the mixture vigorously by hand for about 5 minutes until it forms a gooey dough.
Cover the bowl and place it in a warm area to rise for two hours. The dough should increase in size and develop some bubbles.
Now, you're ready to prepare the loukoumades. If you prefer to make them later, refrigerate the dough for up to one day, ensuring to remove it from the fridge at least 1 hour before frying the loukoumades.
Heat vegetable oil in a small to medium-sized saucepan over medium heat. Test the oil by squeezing a small amount of dough between your fingers and thumb. Use a spoon to shape the dough into balls. (Tip: Using a plastic spoon makes shaping easier, and keep a small bowl of oil nearby to dip the spoon in between shaping.)
Fry the dough balls in batches until they rise to the surface and turn golden brown, approximately 10-15 minutes. Stir continuously to ensure even cooking. Adjust the heat as needed to prevent burning.
Drain the fried loukoumades on paper towels to remove excess oil.
You can serve the loukoumades by drizzling honey and sprinkling cinnamon directly on top or coat them in syrup.
To make the syrup, combine honey and water in a small frying pan. Add 15-20 loukoumades to the pan and heat, stirring until the honey syrup bubbles and coats the loukoumades. Remove from heat, sprinkle with cinnamon, and serve.
Enjoy your delicious loukoumades!
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