The Fried Friars are typical sweets, along with Zeppole, that are prepared for Carnival. But here in Sardinia, as soon as the first cold comes, frying starts. We never wait for Carnival. Fried Friars are soft fried donuts, then coated in granulated sugar. In Sardinia, there are many variations, I follow my grandma’s recipe. Try it because you’ll fall in love with it.
- Difficulty: Medium
- Cost: Economical
- Rest time: 3 Hours
- Preparation time: 20 Minutes
- Portions: 30
- Cooking methods: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Carnival
Ingredients
- 8 cups Manitoba flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 7 tbsp lard
- 4 whole eggs
- 2 cups milk
- 2 tsp salt
- 1.8 oz Villacidro (typical yellow liqueur from my area, limoncello or brandy will also be fine.)
- 1 packet baking powder
- 0.7 oz fresh brewer's yeast
- 3 lemon zest (or 1 orange and 1 lemon)
- 1 quart seed oil
- to taste granulated sugar
Tools
- Bimby
- Bowl
- Frying pan
Slightly heat the milk and dissolve the yeast in it.
In the stand mixer, pour the flour, sugar, and eggs and start kneading.
Add the baking powder and lard and knead at low speed, slowly adding the milk.
Then add the lemon zest, the liqueur, and the salt, and continue kneading at medium speed for about 10 minutes.
The dough should be smooth and elastic.
Leave it in the mixing bowl and let it rise for about 1 hour in a slightly warmed turned-off oven.
After the hour, take the dough again and, with wet hands, take small amounts of dough and form the Fried Friars (the video will help you understand how). Let rest for another hour, or longer if needed; they should be nice and puffy, warm, and then fried in hot oil. Let them drain of excess oil and pass them in granulated sugar.
Put the sugar, lemon, and orange zest in the blender for 20 seconds at turbo speed.
Add the milk, brewer’s yeast, lard, and work for 2 minutes at speed 2 at 98°F.
Add flour, salt, baking powder, and liqueur and work for about 8 minutes at dough hook speed.
The dough should be smooth and elastic.
Transfer it to a bowl and let it rise for about 1 hour in a slightly warmed turned-off oven.
Take small amounts of dough, about a tablespoon, and make balls. Roll them in flour.
Make a hole in the center and let them rest for about an hour in a warm place.
Fry in hot oil
Before eating, coat them in granulated sugar.
