Let’s celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Buñuelos!

Buñuelos are the perfect ending to any celebration, and boy, are they good!! Buñuelos is the Spanish word for ‘fritters’, and who doesn’t like a fritter! Buñuelos are served for numerous festive occasions and celebrations, from Christmas and Thanksgiving to birthdays and baptisms. Let’s Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Buñuelos!

Word About Buñuelos

It is thought that Buñuelos originate from Spain. During the Spanish settlement of the Americas, explorers brought the Buñuelo tradition with them.
These Buñuelos, or fritter snacks are consumed throughout Latin America and are also popular in Colombia, Nicaragua, and Cuba. Said to bring good luck if eaten during the holidays, Buñuelos are extremely popular on Christmas among the Mexican/Hispanic community.

Ingredients Vary

Although the ingredients vary slightly throughout the different regions each recipe made according to local tastes and customs. Many countries add anise tea to the dough others sprinkle them with sugar or a cinnamon-sugar mixture. Some regions drizzle Buñuelos with honey, jam or cream, while others make a syrup called, piloncillo syrup.

What is Piloncillo?

Pronounced: pee-lon-SEE-yoh. Piloncillo is made from pure, unrefined sugar that is pressed into a cone shape. It tastes very similar to brown sugar with the added hint of molasses flavor. Its name means “little pylon” because of it’s shape. The smaller cones are usually around 1 ounce and the large cones are around 8 ounces. They come in light, “blanco” and dark “oscura” If you don’t have piloncillo on hand you can substitute 1 cup of dark brown sugar and 1 tablespoon molasses for each 8 to 9 oz cone.

Celebrate

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with delicious Buñuelos, made extra yummy with the addition of Anise tea. Anise tea adds that extra-special and traditional flavor. You can use milk or water in place of the Anise tea. You can sprinkle Buñuelos with a cinnamon-sugar mixture or serve them with a drizzle of Piloncillo syrup. All recipes are given below.

Looking For More?

Serve Buñuelos for dessert after enjoying this delicious Cinco de Mayo Dinner.

 

Bunuelos Mexican Fritters

 

Ingredients

  • 3 cups flour, sifted twice
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 3/4 cup milk, water, or anise tea
  • 1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled
  • oil for frying

Cooking Directions

  1. In a large bowl, mix flour, baking powder and salt. In a small bowl beat sugar, eggs and butter; stir in milk/water. Add milk/water mixture to flour. If dough is too dry, add a few more drops of milk/water. Knead dough until it is very smooth. Shape into 20 balls. Cover and let stand for 30 minutes. Heat oil one-inch deep in a large skillet to 360 degrees. Roll each ball out on a lightly floured board into very thin 6-inch circle. Fry bunuelos until golden brown, turning once, drain on paper towels. Sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar while still warm or drizzle with piloncillo syrup, recipe follows.
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Cinnamon-sugar mixture:

  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  1. Mix ingredients together
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*Kitchen Tip:
Anise tea is often used instead of plain water or milk when making Buñuelos. Thus giving a sweet aroma and taste to the finished Buñuelos. Recipe for Anise tea follows and can be used in this recipe. Buy Anise Seeds online here Spices Inc

Anise Tea

 

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 1 tablespoon anise seeds

Cooking Directions

  1. Place water in a small saucepan.
  2. Bring water to a boil.
  3. Add the anise seeds, remove from heat and to set aside to cool.
  4. Strain, use the amount needed to make the dough.

 

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Kitchen Tip

Buñuelo should be thin, almost transparent before frying. Some people like to place all the formed Buñuelos on a clean tablecloth set over a large table, making sure they don’t touch each other and then allowed to dry out for a short period of time. This step will dry the dough and the Buñuelos will become crispier and absorb less oil while frying. Serve Buñuelos with Piloncillo Syrup. Here’s the recipe…

Piloncillo Syrup

 

Ingredients

  • 3 1/2 cups water
  • 12 ounce piloncillo cones
  • 1 stick cinnamon
  • 6 guavas, chopped or cut into quarters
  • 1/2 teaspoon anise seed
  • 1/4 of an orange peel

Cooking Directions

  1. Place the 1 cup of water and the piloncillo in a medium saucepan.
  2. Heat over medium high heat until the piloncillo dissolves and it looks like liquid caramel.
  3. Carefully add the rest of the water, cinnamon stick, guavas, aniseed and orange peel.
  4. Bring to a boil. Cook for about 6 minutes, stir and boil for 4 more minutes.
  5. For a thicker consistency, simmer for a longer period of time until desired thickness.
  6. The syrup keeps in the refrigerator for up to one week.
  7. Serve warm with Buñuelos

 

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