How to Make Malasadas

Categories: How Tos | Food & Drink

  • Tips for Making Malasadas

    • Heat cooking oil to 350 degrees.
    • Mix dough to smooth consistency.
    • Allow yeast to rise until doubled in size.
    • Let cook in oil for about three minutes, or until golden brown.
    • After removing and draining, immediately roll in sugar or sugar and cinnamon.
    • Serve Malasadas warm.

  • Introduction

    Are you looking for recipes to make malasadas? Malasadas are a pastry-like dessert with Portugese origins. Malasadas are extremely popular in Hawaii, and they are traditionally served on Fat Tuesday - known to some as "Malasada Day."http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=6117159 Malasadas are fried and are similar to donuts but without the holes. Some malasadas are served with powdered sugar or regular sugar on them for an extra sweet treat. Read on to learn more about how to make malasadas.


    Making malasadas isn't hard - you just need to be sure you have the recipe you need and the ingredients, which include eggs, yeast and sugar. You will also need a way to fry the dough once you've mixed all the ingredients together - a deep fryer or a deep saucepan will work. If you are looking to make an unusual and tasty treat for friends or family, a delicious plate of warm, sugary malasadas may be just the thing.

  • Ingredients

    • Oil for deep frying
    • 1 (1/4-ounce) package active dry yeast
    • 3/4 cup plus 1 teaspoon sugar
    • 1/4 cup warm water (110 degrees)
    • 6 eggs
    • 6 cups flour
    • 1/4 cup melted butter
    • 1/4 teaspoon salt
    • 1 1/2 cups whole milk
    • 1/2 cup half and half
    • Sugar (you may also choose to add cinnamon and nutmeg) to coat the Malasadas.

  • Making Malasadas

    (Creative Commons photo by Pierre Omidyar)
    1. Using the small mixing bowl, whisk yeast, sugar and warm water together. Then set aside.
    2. Using the electric mixer, add the eggs and whip until they are thick.
    3. Change the mixer attachment to a dough hook, and add the yeast mixture, butter, sugar, milk and half and half.
    4. Add the salt.
    5. Add the flour one cup at a time, until a soft dough ball is formed.
    6. Remove the dough and put into the lightly oiled bowl.
    7. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap.
    8. Let the dough rise until it is doubled in size, usually a little over an hour.
    9. Pour the oil into a large, deep pot or a fryer, and heat it to 350 degrees.
    10. After the dough has risen, put the dough on a floured surface and roll it to 1/4 inch thick.
    11. Cut into 1-inch squares with the sharp knife.
    12. Drop the dough pieces into the hot oil for about 3-4 minutes, or until golden, stirring constantly.
    13. Remove the malasadas from the oil with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel.
    14. While the malasadas are still warm, roll them in sugar and enjoy!

  • Variations

    • There aren't many variations on the classic malasadas recipe. Variations occur if you choose to roll the warm malasadas in a spice other than sugar.
    1. Try tossing malasadas in a cinnamon-sugar mixture.
    2. Or try these yummy Malasadas Portuguese Pancakes made with an Anise Syrup dip.Recipezaar: Malasadas Portuguese Pancakes
    3. Some recipes use pre-made dough for a quick and just as tasty treat.

  • Fun Facts About Malasadas

    (Creative Commons photo by Thomas Kriese)
    1. The first commercial sales of malasadas began in 1952 at Leonard's Bakery in Hawaii, where they still claim to make the best malasadas in America.Leonard's Bakery: History of Leonard's Bakery
    2. No one knows when the second "s" was dropped in the spelling of the pastry, but old photos of a sign outside of Leonard's Bakery show the treat name being spelled with only one "s".Ethnic Dough: Malassada
    3. Malasadas are big business. In 1996, an estimated 320,000 malasadas were sold in two days at the annual Punahau school carnival in Honolulu. In 2003, over 4,400 malasadas were sold in 8 hours during the "Sounds of Hawaii" event in San Francisco.Ethnic Dough: Malassada
    4. Malasadas are traditionally eaten on Strove Tuesday.Ethnic Dough: Malassada
    5. Original recipes show malasadas rolled in white sugar only.

  • Conclusion

    • Masaladas are not a healthy food. But they are a delicious treat! Use this recipe on a special occasion to reward yourself, and your family and friends, with some warm, sugary masaladas. Your taste buds will thank you!

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