Sopapillas are a beloved dessert in many Latin American countries, particularly in Mexico and the southwestern United States. These fried pastries are light and airy, with a crispy exterior and a soft, doughy interior. Sopapillas are often served sprinkled with cinnamon sugar and drizzled with honey, making them a sweet and indulgent treat. In this recipe, we’ll show you how to make authentic sopapillas at home, so you can enjoy this delicious dessert anytime you like.
Ingredients for Real Sopapillas
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3/4 cup warm water
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Honey, for drizzling
How to Make Real Sopapillas
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the vegetable oil and warm water to the dry ingredients. Mix until a soft dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic. Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rest for 10 minutes.
Step 2: Roll Out the Dough
- Divide the dough into 12 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out each ball of dough into a circle about 1/8 inch thick.
Step 3: Fry the Sopapillas
- In a large skillet or deep fryer, heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil to 375°F (190°C).
- Carefully place a few sopapillas in the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for about 1-2 minutes per side, until golden brown and puffed up.
- Remove the sopapillas from the oil using a slotted spoon and drain them on paper towels. Repeat with the remaining dough.
Step 4: Serve the Sopapillas
- In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon.
- Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the warm sopapillas.
- Drizzle the sopapillas with honey and serve immediately.
About the Main Ingredients
- Flour: All-purpose flour is used to make the dough for sopapillas. It provides structure and texture to the pastries.
- Baking Powder: Baking powder is used as a leavening agent, helping the sopapillas to puff up and become light and airy when fried.
- Salt: Salt enhances the flavor of the sopapillas, balancing out the sweetness of the cinnamon sugar and honey.
- Vegetable Oil: Vegetable oil is used in the dough and for frying the sopapillas. It helps to create a crispy exterior and adds moisture to the dough.
- Water: Warm water is used to hydrate the dough and activate the gluten in the flour, creating a soft and elastic dough.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar is used in the cinnamon sugar mixture that is sprinkled over the sopapillas. It adds sweetness and a crunchy texture.
- Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon is mixed with sugar to create a flavorful topping for the sopapillas.
- Honey: Honey is drizzled over the warm sopapillas, adding a sweet and sticky glaze.
