Beavertails

Ingredients

• 3 1/2 cups (440g) all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 large egg
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• Vegetable oil, for frying
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar, for coating
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon, for coating

Before you cook

• Combine the flour, 1/4 cup sugar, yeast, and salt in a large bowl.
• Combine the 1/2 cup sugar and cinnamon in a shallow dish.

Steps

1. Warm the milk until just lukewarm.
2. Melt the butter in the microwave or a small saucepan.
3. Add the warm milk, egg, and melted butter to the flour mixture.
4. Mix and knead the dough until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes.
5. Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
6. Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 8 equal pieces.
7. Roll each piece into an oval shape roughly the size and thinness of a hand.
8. Stretch each oval gently with your hands to elongate it further, mimicking a beaver's tail.
9. Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil in a deep pot to 375°F (190°C).
10. Fry one piece of dough at a time for about 90 seconds per side, until puffed and golden brown.
11. Remove the fried dough with a slotted spoon or tongs and drain briefly on paper towels.
12. Press each hot piece into the cinnamon sugar right away, before it cools, to coat both sides.
13. Repeat frying and coating with the remaining pieces of dough.
14. Serve the beavertails warm.