Description
Homemade sopaipillas, a cherished Chilean pastry, offer a delightful blend of crispy exterior and pillowy interior. Rich with cultural significance, these golden treats promise a delectable journey through South American culinary traditions you’ll savor completely.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 tsps baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup (180 ml) warm water
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- Honey or agave syrup
- Powdered sugar
- Cinnamon sugar
Instructions
- Dough Preparation: Blend dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Incorporate softened butter using fingertips until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add warm water, kneading until a smooth, elastic dough forms.
- Dough Resting: Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface. Knead thoroughly until achieving a silky texture. Drape with a clean kitchen towel and allow to rest for 20-30 minutes, permitting gluten to relax and develop.
- Shaping and Cutting: Divide rested dough into two equal portions. Roll each segment into a thin sheet approximately 1/8 inch thick. Slice into uniform geometric shapes using a sharp knife or pastry wheel.
- Frying Preparation: Heat vegetable oil in a deep, heavy-bottomed pot to 375°F. Ensure oil depth reaches two inches and maintain consistent temperature using a cooking thermometer.
- Frying Process: Carefully lower dough pieces into hot oil in small batches. Watch as sopaipillas quickly puff and transform to a golden brown. Use long-handled tongs to flip, cooking 1-2 minutes per side until perfectly crisp and inflated.
- Serving and Garnishing: Remove sopaipillas and drain excess oil on paper towels. Serve immediately while hot. Enhance with sweet options like honey or powdered sugar, or create savory versions by stuffing with beans, cheese, or seasoned meats.
Notes
- Dough Consistency Check: Ensure the dough feels smooth and elastic, not too sticky or dry. Knead thoroughly to develop gluten and create a silky texture that will help sopaipillas puff perfectly.
- Oil Temperature Precision: Maintain exact 375°F oil temperature for ideal results. Slightly lower temperatures cause greasy sopaipillas, while higher temps burn the exterior before cooking internally.
- Resting Dough Importance: Let dough rest covered for 20-30 minutes to relax gluten, making rolling and stretching easier. This step prevents tough, dense pastries and ensures light, airy texture.
- Quick Frying Technique: Fry in small batches to prevent oil temperature drop. Use long-handled tongs for safe maneuvering and flip quickly to achieve uniform golden-brown color without absorbing excess oil.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 125 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg