Last Updated on October 12, 2023 by My Back Kitchen
The holiday season brings to mind cherished memories of crafting my Ula’s receta de Bunuelos — delicate, crisp fried pastry dusted with cinnamon sugar. Alongside my beloved mother and grandmother, I would stretch the dough impossibly thin. Mother rolled, then passed the tortilla to my Ula and me to stretch it as thin as possible. I’m estimating for every one Bunuelos I stretched, my Ula stretched 5! These sweet treats, reminiscent of churros, evoke nostalgia and love. Making these brings me back to that kitchen table amongst the women I loved most…. Today I carry on the tradition of sharing the art of making my Ula’s receta de Bunuelos with my children and grandchildren. Gather your family and friends and enjoy!
-MBK
Receta de Bunuelos
Ingredients
- vegetable or canola oil
Dough
- 2 1/2 cups flour
- 2 whole eggs
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. baking powder
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 2 Tbsp. vegetable shortening
Cinnamon Tea
- 1 cup water
- 2 cinnamon sticks
Topping
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 Tbsp. ground cinnamon
Instructions
Make Cinnamon Tea
- In a medium-sized sauce pan, Boil water and cinnamon sticks reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes until you have a strong tea; set aside to cool slightly.
Make Sugar Topping
- In a wide, shallow dish, combine sugar and ground cinnamon to create the topping. Set aside.
Make Dough
- In a large mixing bowl combine flour, salt, baking powder and eggs.
- With the mixer on low speed, slowly stir in warm cinnamon tea just enough to make a smooth elastic dough; about 1/3 cup. Increase mixer speed and continue to knead until a smooth pliable dough forms, cover and set aside to rest for 20 minutes.
- Divide dough into equal sized balls weighing approximately 1.5 ounces each. Using a rolling pin, roll each ball into a very thin circle stretching to be as thin as possible. Set aside on a clean kitchen cloth and continue to stretch until almost transparent.
- Meanwhile, heat oil in a 15” skillet to 350 degrees. Once oil is at proper temperature, carefully add one piece of the stretched dough and cook until golden brown turning once. Transfer to baking rack to drain, dust both sides with cinnamon sugar. Repeat with remaining dough.
Nutrition
FAQs
Bunuelos are a popular dessert in Latin American and Spanish cuisine. They are fried dough pastries that are often sweet, crispy, and sprinkled with sugar or cinnamon.
To make Bunuelos, you’ll typically need flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, eggs, milk, and oil for frying. The dough is prepared, rolled out into thin rounds and deep-fried until golden. After frying, they are commonly dusted with cinnamon sugar.
Yes, there are various regional and cultural variations of Bunuelos. They can range from large, flattened discs to small, bite-sized balls. Some versions use ingredients like anise or orange zest to flavor the dough.
Bunuelos are often associated with special occasions and holidays, such as Christmas, New Year’s, and festivals in many Latin American countries. They are a beloved tradition during festive times.