Mama's loukoumades

Loukoumades are delightful Greek doughnuts that are deep-fried and typically served hot with honey syrup and sometimes sprinkled with cinnamon and nuts. Here’s a basic recipe for making them:

Ingredients

For the dough:

  • 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
  • 280 ml warm water (110°F/45°C)
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 300 grams of flour type 00 (for bread or pizza)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

For frying:

  • Vegetable oil, for frying

For the topping:

  • ½ cup honey
  • Cinnamon

Instructions

1. Prepare the dough:

  1. In a bowl, dissolve the yeast and sugar in the warm water. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until frothy.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil.
  3. Mix until a sticky dough forms. You may need to adjust the flour or water slightly to get the right consistency. The dough should be somewhat sticky.
  4. Cover the bowl with a clean cloth and let the dough rise in the fridge for about 45 minutes or until doubled in size.

2. Fry the loukoumades:

  1. Heat oil in a deep fryer or large, deep pan to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Using two spoons or a small ice cream scoop, drop spoonfuls of dough into the hot oil, frying in batches to avoid overcrowding.
  3. Fry until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per batch, turning them as needed for even cooking.
  4. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.

3. Serve:

  1. While still warm, drizzle the loukoumades with honey.
  2. Optionally, sprinkle them with chopped nuts or a dusting of cinnamon.