How to Make Sopapillas From Scratch

Sopapillas are a menu item in almost every New Mexican restaurant across the state. They are a fried bread usually a dessert smothered in honey and butter. They are also served as an entree stuffed with refried beans, meats, cheese, onions and peppers. I read where in the US they originated in Albuquerque in the late 18th century. This tutorial will show you how to make them. I will be making the traditional dessert sopapilla with options of honey, cinnamon or powdered sugar. I like them with the powdered sugar because they aren't too sweet but my husband likes them with honey. If you wish to wow your dinner guest you just can't go wrong with this delicious pastry.

It is interesting to discover that sopapillas are a chemical reaction by yeast converting sugars into CO2.

Ingredients:

• Active dry yeast
• Melted butter
• Sugar
• All-purpose flour
• Salt
• Vegetable oil
• Powdered sugar
• Cinnamon
• Honey

Kitchen Utensils:

• Rolling pen
• Bowl
• Dry measuring cup
• Liquid measuring cup
• Measuring spoons
• Wooden spoon
• Tongs
• Pastry blender
• Knife not shown

• 1 Package active dry yeast
• 1 1/2 Cups warm water
• 1 Tablespoon of butter, melted
• 1 Tablespoon of sugar
• 4 Cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Vegetable oil for frying
• 1/4 cup cane sugar
• 1/4 Cup powdered sugar
• 4 teaspoons cinnamon
• Honey

• Measure the dry ingredients.
• Combine the flour and salt.
• Set aside.

• Measure 1/4 cup of white sugar and add:
• 4 teaspoons of cinnamon.
• Mix well.

• Measure 1/4 cup of powdered sugar.

• Set aside a small dipping bowl of honey if desired.

• Mix the yeast with the warm water and let it sit for five minutes.
• Add the butter and 1 Tablespoon sugar to the yeast/water mixture and let it set 5 minutes.

• Slowly add to the flour and salt.
• Knead for two minutes, until dough is smooth and elastic.

• Rise in a covered, greased bowl for one hour or until dough is doubled in size.
• After dough has risen, punch it down.

• On a floured surface, roll it out into a 1/4-inch thick rectangle.
• Using a knife or pizza cutter, cut out 3 inch squares, and then cut squares on the diagonal into triangles.

• Heat up three inches of oil in a big pot to 375 degrees.
• Fry a few triangles of dough at a time in the oil for one minute on each side. The dough should puff when it hits the oil.
• Lay fried sopapillas on some paper towels to absorb the oil. I used coffee filters because I don't usually buy paper towels.

• Drain, and then sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar or roll them in the sugar mixture.
• Serve hot with honey if desired.
• Makes about 18 sopapillas.