Bugnes Moelleuses (French Doughnuts)

Bugnes are a doughnut-like pastry sprinkled with icing sugar that hail from Lyon. They’re essential to Mardi Gras! A tradition that I never forget… making bugnes! I have loved them since I was a kid. My mother’s bugnes (and now mine) have a little bit of lemon for a unique taste. Sprinkle with icing sugar before serving.

Step: 1

Mix water and yeast together in a small bowl. Let stand until foamy, about 15 minutes.

Step: 2

Combine flour, eggs, butter, 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, and lemon zest in a large bowl; add yeast mixture. Knead by hand until dough comes together. Cover with a clean dish towel. Let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 2 hours.

Step: 3

Roll out dough into a large rectangle on a lightly floured work surface. Cut into diamond shapes using a small pastry wheel cutter. Brush off excess flour.

Step: 4

Heat oil in a deep saucepan or wok. Cook doughnuts in batches until golden brown, about 1 minute per side. Drain on a paper towel-lined platter.

Per Serving: 297 calories; protein 6.7g; carbohydrates 37.4g; fat 13.3g; cholesterol 77.3mg; sodium 65.4mg.

The quality of the flour could make a real deal to your bread. Different brands do vary. Extra-strong or Canadian flours, which are bet higher in gluten, may give you a best rise than standard bread flours – especially if you’re making wholemeal bread , which doesn’t always rise as well as clear bread.

To make this in a breadmaker , add all the menus to your breadmaker and follow the makers instructions.

A bread first rising can be done in the fridge 24 hours . This slows down the time it takes to rise to double its size, giving it a deeper flavour. It’s also a great timesaver , as you can work it night before , then clear it off the next day.