Thera’s Canadian Fried Dough

This beaver tails dessert is popular in Canada, especially in Ottawa, Ontario. Also known as pigs’ ears, this whole wheat pastry is fried and covered in an assortment of goodies. I have perfected the recipe, so my friends and I no longer go out to get them — I just make them at home. Enjoy, eh!

Preparation Details

Prep Time: 30 mins

Cook Time: 20 mins

Total Time: 1 hr 55 mins

Servings: 20

Ingredients

• ½ cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 5 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 pinch white sugar
• 1 cup warm milk (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 3 large eggs, beaten
• ⅓ cup vegetable oil
• ⅓ cup white sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 5 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 quart vegetable oil for frying

Steps

1. Mix together warm water, yeast, and 1 pinch white sugar in a large bowl; let sit until creamy, about 5 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, grease a separate large bowl and set it aside.
3. Stir warm milk, eggs, 1/3 cup vegetable oil, 1/3 cup white sugar, salt, and vanilla into yeast mixture until sugar is dissolved. Stir in 2 1/2 cups flour until no dry spots remain. Turn dough out onto a floured surface and knead in remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until dough is no longer sticky. Knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes.
4. Form dough into a ball and place it into the prepared bowl. Cover with a towel and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
5. Punch down dough and knead a few times to reshape it. Pinch off a piece of dough about the size of an egg, then roll into an oval shape, about 1/4-inch thick. Place on a dish towel, cover with another dish towel, and repeat with remaining dough.
6. Heat 4 inches oil in a deep fryer or large saucepan to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
7. Make cinnamon sugar: Combine white sugar and cinnamon in a shallow dish or pie plate; set aside.
8. Lower dough carefully into hot oil in batches and fry until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Gently press fried dough into cinnamon sugar while still warm; shake off excess sugar.