Azorean Malassadas Recipe – Sweet & Fluffy Portuguese Donuts
You will love this Azorean Malassadas Recipe – Sweet & Fluffy Portuguese Donuts
Looking for soft, sugar-dusted Portuguese donuts with irresistible flavor? This Azorean malassadas recipe delivers sweet, fluffy donuts fried until golden and light. A traditional Azores favorite, they're comforting, authentic, and loved by everyoneperfect for sharing fresh and warm at home.
Ingredients
With all your ingredients and equipment gathered, you are ready to get started!
Directions
- In a pan over medium low heat, add the milk, crisco and the butter and warm it up a little (or until the butter melts).
- In a large bowl, add the sugar, eggs and lemon zest, salt and beat for a minute then add the warm milk and beat again.
- In a small bowl, combine 1/2 teaspoon of sugar, the yeast, 3 tablespoons of warm water and let the yeast rise.
- Add the flour and the yeast to the large bowl, mix and knead very well (about 15 minutes) and cover the bowl well.
- Let it rise until doubled the size in a warm place (at least 3 hours).
- Grease a working space and place medium sized balls of the dough on it.
- Heat a pan with a good amount of oil (about 2 inches).
- When the oil is hot, stretch out each ball of dough and lay it in the oil.
- When golden brown, remove it from the oil and place it in paper towels.
- When they are cold, sprinkle them with sugar and cinnamon.
Recipe Tips
Nutritional Facts (Per Serving)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of flour instead of all-purpose flour?
You can use bread flour for slightly chewier malassadas or cake flour for a lighter texture. However, keep in mind that all-purpose flour gives the best balance of fluffiness and structure.
What is the best way to store leftover malassadas?
To store leftover malassadas, place them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, freeze them for up to 2 months. To reheat, warm them in an oven or air fryer to restore their fluffiness.
What should I do if my dough isn’t rising?
If your dough isn’t rising, make sure the yeast is fresh and active. Check the water temperature when activating the yeast; it should be warm, not hot, around 100°F (38°C). If your kitchen is cool, create a warm environment by placing the bowl near a heater or in a slightly warm oven.
Recommended Drink Pairings
Wine
Portuguese: Vinho Verde - This light and slightly effervescent wine complements the sweetness of the malassadas while enhancing their fluffy texture.
General: Moscato - The sweet and fruity notes of Moscato pair beautifully with the sugary donuts, making for a delightful combination.
Beer
Portuguese: Super Bock - This popular Portuguese lager has a crisp finish that balances the richness of the donuts without overpowering their sweetness.
General: Wheat Beer - A light and refreshing wheat beer complements the fluffy texture of the malassadas and adds a hint of citrus to the experience.
Other Beverages
Coffee: A rich cup of coffee offers a robust contrast to the sweetness of the malassadas, enhancing their flavor profile with its depth.
Reviews (58) Add a review
@Frederick,
Great point, if we store them, and they become stale, we actually reheat them in the air fryer as well before eating it, it makes them crisp and a bit fresh again.
I'm trying this for the first time and I'm having a really really hard time getting all the flour mixed in. The dough ball isn't even sticking to itself as I knead it. Help!
Of Cristina?
Would like to know how much is on a stick of butter. We don't have sticks of butter so need to know the weight please
Thank you
I lost the recipe I had for this but so glad I have it back.
Thank you.
You must of done something wrong Sue, haven't received one complaint about this recipe yet, specially about them being dry or to much lemon. There's a simple technic about getting them to look like on the photo, you have to strech them out then add them to the hot oil.
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