New Mexican Sopapillas

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 2 tbsp lard or vegetable shortening
• 3/4 cup warm milk
• Vegetable oil, for frying
• Honey, for serving

Before you cook

• Whisk the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar together in a large bowl.
• Cut the lard into the flour mixture with your fingers until it resembles coarse crumbs.
• Pour in the warm milk and stir until a soft dough comes together.
• Knead the dough on a lightly floured counter for 2 minutes until smooth.
• Cover the dough and let it rest for 20 minutes.

Steps

1. Pour oil into a deep pot to a depth of 2 inches and heat it to 375°F.
2. Roll the rested dough out on a floured surface to an even 1/8-inch thickness.
3. Cut the dough into 4-inch squares.
4. Slide two or three pieces at a time into the hot oil.
5. Spoon a little hot oil over the top of each piece if it hasn't started puffing within 10 seconds.
6. Fry each piece for about 1 minute per side, until golden and fully puffed.
7. Lift the sopapillas out with a slotted spoon and drain them on paper towels.
8. Repeat with the remaining dough, letting the oil return to temperature between batches.
9. Serve the sopapillas warm, drizzled with honey.