Loukoumades (loo-koo-mah-thays)

 

Loukoumades

I made these for New Years Eve and they were delish and not really difficult! You make the dough like any other bread/pastry. Let that rise, then scoop them into balls, fry them, drizzle them with melted chocolate, cinnamon, honey and sprinkle them with pistachios. So good!

They are similar to a donut but also not. They are more dense and chewy and not so sugary sweet. They are from Greek origin and actually used to be given as awards to ancient Olympic athletes.

I got this recipe from Delish and would 100000% make them again!

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 c. 

  warm water 

• 1/3 c. 

  (70 g.) granulated sugar

• 1 tbsp. 

   (11 g.) active dry yeast 

• 2 c. 

  (240 g.) all purpose flour

• Zest of 1 lemon

• 1/2 tsp.

   salt 

• Cooking spray

• 8 c. 

  vegetable oil

• 1/2 c. 

  (186 g.) semisweet chocolate, melted 

• 1/4 tsp.

   cinnamon 

• 1 tbsp. 

  honey

• 1/4 c. 

  (38 g.) pistachios, chopped  

Directions:

1. * In a large bowl, stir water, granulated sugar, and yeast with a wooden spoon; set aside until yeast foams, about 5 minutes
2. * In a small bowl, mix flour, lemon zest, and salt. Add to yeast mixture. Using an electric mixer on medium-low speed (or a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment), beat yeast mixture, scraping bowl once if needed, until smooth and elastic, about 2 minutes.
3. * Spray plastic wrap with cooking spray, cover bowl with plastic, and set aside in a warm place until risen and doubled in size, about 1 hour. 
4. * Meanwhile, melt chocolate. Stir in cinnamon and keep warm until ready to use. 
5. * In a large pot fitted with a deep-fry thermometer, heat oil until thermometer registers 350° to 360°. Scoop dough using a cookie scoop sprayed with cooking spray. Drop into oil and Fry, turning occasionally, until golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes. (Because they’re round, it may be hard to turn them once one side is golden brown—hold dough with tongs if they aren’t turning.) Transfer to paper towels. Repeat with remaining dough.
6. * Transfer cinnamon chocolate to a piping bag and snip a small hole off one corner. Drizzle donuts with cinnamon chocolate. Using a spoon, drizzle donuts with honey. Sprinkle with pistachios
• Enjoy!
• xoxo
• Mary-Morgan