Greek Loukamades Recipes

Steps:

• Sprinkle the yeast over the warm water in a small bowl. The water should be no more than 100 degrees F (40 degrees C). Let stand for 5 minutes until the yeast softens and begins to form a creamy foam. In a large bowl, mix the warm milk, sugar, and salt, and mix to dissolve. Pour the yeast mixture into the milk mixture, and stir to combine.
• Beat in the butter, eggs, and flour until the mixture forms a smooth, soft dough. Cover the bowl, and let rise until doubled in bulk, about 30 minutes. Stir the dough well, cover, and let rise 30 more minutes.
• Mix honey and 1/2 cup of water in a saucepan, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Turn off the heat and let the honey syrup cool.
• Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Oil should be about 2 inches deep.
• Place a large table or soup spoon in a glass of water near the batter. Scoop up about 2 tablespoons of dough per puff with the wet spoon, drop it into the wet palm of your hand, and roll it back into the spoon to create a round shape. Do not overhandle the puffy, soft dough. Drop the dough balls into the hot oil in batches, wetting the spoon each time you make a dough ball. Fry in the hot oil until golden brown on the bottom, and roll them over to cook the other side, 2 to 3 minutes per batch. Gently set the loukoumades aside to drain on paper towels.
• Place the loukoumades on a baking sheet, drizzle them with honey syrup, and sprinkle with cinnamon. Serve warm.

Steps:

• In a small bowl sprinkle yeast over the warm water and let stand to soften (about 5 minutes).
• Meanwhile, pour milk into a large bowl and add sugar and salt.
• Stir in yeast mixture and eggs; add butter and beat well.
• Slowly add 3 cups flour, beating continuously until batter is smooth, sticky, and thick.
• Add more flour as needed to arrive at correct consistency.
• Cover bowl with a tea towel and let dough rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk (2 to 3 hours).
• In a medium saucepan pour oil to a depth of 3 or 4 inches and heat to 360 degrees.
• While oil is heating, pour some honey into a small saucepan and place over very low heat to warm.
• Stir batter well.
• Drop batter from a tablespoon into hot oil and cook, turning spoonfuls in oil, until batter puffs and is golden brown on all sides (about 2 minutes).
• Remove with a slotted utensil to paper towels to drain briefly, then arrange a layer of the puffs on a platter.
• Drizzle with warm honey, dust with cinnamon, and top with a second layer of puffs.
• Continue in this manner until all the puffs are layered and dressed.
• Serve at once.