Fried Dough, in North America is a sweet snack or dessert made of yeast dough. It associated with food stands at carnivals, fairs, amusement parks and rodeos in the United States and Canada. The fried dough name is relating to a particular variety of fried bread made of yeast dough. It is also known as fry dough, beaver tails, elephant ears, whales tails, tiger ears, pizza frita, frying saucers, buñuelos. These foods are related to each other, and recognizably different from other fried dough foods such as doughnuts, beignets, or fritters.
The dough may be sprinkled with toppings, such as powered sugar, granulated sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, fruit sauce, chocolate sauce, cheese, maple syrup, whipped cream, tomato sauce, garlic butter, butter, nuts, or a combination of any of these.
Anyone can make fried dough at home if you have a little patience and a few ingredients.
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Fried Dough History
Fried Dough is prepared by deep frying dough, which in North America is usually yeast-based. The dough can also be leavened with eggs, as is common with Italian fried dough’s. Fried dough is not unique to North America, other cultures around the world have their own versions of fried dough. The common theme is deep frying and coating with a sweetener such as honey, powdered sugar or syrup. In general, fried dough batter itself is unsweetened. The sweetness of fried dough comes from the sugar or syrup that is applied after frying. Fried doughs are usually considered special occasion foods and may be associated with a particular holiday or event.
Funnel Cakes
Funnel Cake is a regional variant of fried dough, common in the Pennsylvania Dutch region of the United States. An unleavened fried dough batter is poured into the hot oil through a funnel in a circular pattern, forming the characteristic lacy appearance.
Fried Dough International
Fried Dough Recipe
This video gives therecipe for Fried Dough. In a bowl add 1/4 cup warm water, 2 1/2 teaspoons dry yeast, pinch of sugar. Then wait 10 minutes. Add 1/2 cups of warm milk, 2 1/2 teaspoons sugar, 3/4 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, 2 1/2 teaspoons oil and 1 egg. Give it a quick stir. Add half of 2 1/2 cups of flour; add enough of remaining flour until dough is soft but not sticky. If it gets too dry add more milk, too sticky add more flour. Knead dough 10 minutes and place in bowl, add a drop of oil on top of dough and cover, put in a warm place for 40 minutes. After dough has risen punch out air. Work on a floured clean surface pulling dough apart into 6 equal portions. Flatten the dough with a roller until thin. Add enough oil to skillet to fry to 375 degree. Deep fry until golden brown, about 1 minute on each side and let drain on paper towel. Toss in sugar and cinnamon. This treat has many names and a variety of toppings.
References
Fast Facts
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Fact:
Can be traced back to 5,000 BC
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Ancient Egyptians reportedly ate fried dough
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Common food at fairs, rodeos, amusement parks and carnivals
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Fact:
Made of yeast dough
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Other Names Known By
Fry dough, beaver tails, elephant ears, whales tails, tiger ears, pizza frita, frying saucers
