Description
Cuban Bunuelos are delicious fried pastries made from root vegetables like yuca and malanga, shaped into figure eights, and coated in a homemade cinnamon-anise syrup.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 whole star anise
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice from 1 lime, plus 1/2 teaspoon lime zest
- 1 lb yuca, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 lb malanga, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 large egg, whisked
- 1 teaspoon anise extract
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- In a saucepan, combine sugar, water, cinnamon stick, star anise, lime juice, and lime zest. Bring to a boil while stirring constantly, then reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, discard the cinnamon stick and star anise, and set the syrup aside to cool.
- In a large pot, add the cubed yuca and malanga, covering them with enough water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes until tender but not mushy.
- Drain the vegetables, transfer them to a bowl, and mash until smooth using a potato ricer or masher.
- Add the beaten egg, anise extract, and salt to the mashed vegetables, mixing until combined. Gradually incorporate the flour, kneading until a smooth, soft dough forms.
- Divide the dough into 12-14 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 14-inch long rope, then shape each rope into a figure 8, pressing the ends together to seal.
- Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven to 375°F (190°C). Fry the bunuelos in batches, cooking for about 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown. Transfer them to paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Serve the bunuelos with the cinnamon-anise syrup, spooning it over the pastries or serving it on the side for dipping.
Notes
- Traditionally served during Cuban holiday celebrations like Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
- These treats are crispy on the outside and pillowy soft on the inside.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Cuban
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bunuelo
- Calories: 209
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 1g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: Cuban Bunuelos, fried pastries, holiday dessert