Mexican Dessert Recipes
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How to Make Mexican Bunuelos
Bunuelos, which are also known as bermuelos, birmuelos, bimuelos, bonuelos or bunyols are Spanish fritters. They are well loved in many South American countries, as well as in Morocco, Turkey, Greece, and the Philippines. They are incredible popular in Mexico. Bunuelos are believed to have originated from the Arabs or Sephardic Jews when these groups had to flee Spain during the Spanish Inquisition period.
Traditionally a bunuelo is an anise-flavored wheat dough cookie, which is fried and then topped with something sweet. In the following recipe for bunuelos, they are flavored with orange juice. Lemon juice would work just as well. You could use a few drops of anise too if you wanted to. Bunuelos come in many shapes and sizes. Disk shapes, ball shapes, and star shapes are all popular so just use whatever cookie cutter you happen to have, to make your desired cookie shapes. These crumbly cookies are popular with adults and kids and they can be enjoyed with a hot or cold drink after dinner. They are also nice as a snack before bedtime with a glass of milk.
Bunuelos in Mexico are often drenched in a guava, cinnamon and brown sugar syrup. They can also be served with a piloncillo syrup and you can buy these treats during Christmas events like Las Posadas or at carnivals and fairs. In Turkey, bunuelos are made with matzo meal and eaten at Passover and Hanukkah. There is a similar dish in the Netherlands called "oliebollen" which are fried balls of dough. These are served on New Year's Eve.
Bunuelos - Delicious, Crumbly Cookies
Ingredients -
5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon grated orange zest
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup orange juice
1 cup all purpose flour
½ cup milk
4 eggs
Vegetable oil, for frying
Powdered sugar, for sprinkling
Preparation:
Bring the milk, orange juice, orange zest, salt, and olive oil to a boil in a pan, and then gradually pour in the flour.
Stir the mixture until it becomes a solid dough.
Add the eggs one by one, stirring the mixture all the time.
Roll the dough out on a floured board. Heat the oil in a skillet to 375 degrees F.
Cut the dough into cookie shapes and fry them in the hot oil until they are golden brown.
Drain them on paper towels and sprinkle some powdered sugar over the top.
Serve the bunuelos hot.
(Makes 12)
Photo Description:
These bunuelo cookies are flavored with orange and they are crisp, crumbly and have an amazing flavor. Bunuelos are one of the most traditional and well loved Mexican cookie recipes and they are eaten all year round, although they are especially popular around Christmas. Bunuelos are easy to make yourself and these cookies are deep fried rather than baked, giving them a different flavor and texture to other Mexican cookie recipes. If you like to make cookies, why not have a go at making these wonderful bunuelos as a dessert for the family? You can also use them to decorate ice cream, mousse or any other Mexican dessert recipe.
