Earl Grey Loukoumádes
Serves: 12
 
Ingredients
  • 1 1⁄3 cups all-purpose flour, divided
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1⁄2 teaspoon instant yeast
  • 1⁄2 teaspoon fine sea salt, divided
  • 2 tablespoons whole milk
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened and divided
  • 2 teaspoons fresh orange zest
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • Vegetable oil, for frying (approximately 2 quarts)
  • Earl Grey–Infused Honey Syrup, to serve (recipe follows)
Instructions
  1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix together 1 cup flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.
  2. In a small saucepan, heat together milk, 2 tablespoons water, butter, and orange zest over medium heat until an instant-read thermometer registers 110° to 120°. Add warm milk mixture to flour mixture, and mix until combined, approximately 1 minute. Beat in egg until combined. Beat in remaining 1⁄3 cup flour until a shaggy dough forms. Switch to a dough hook attachment, and knead at medium speed until a smooth, slightly sticky dough forms, 2 to 3 minutes.
  3. Shape dough into a smooth ball. Place dough in a lightly greased bowl, turning to grease top of dough. Cover and let rise in a warm (75°), draft-free place until doubled in size, 45 minutes to 1 hour.
  4. In a 6-quart Dutch oven, pour oil to a 2- to 3-inch depth. Heat oil over medium heat until an instant-read thermometer registers 350 ̊.
  5. Punch dough down and turn out onto a clean surface. Divide dough into 12 equal pieces (approximately 27 grams each), shaping each into a ball and pinching together any seams as necessary.
  6. Working in batches, fry dough balls until golden brown and cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack for approximately 3 minutes before serving with Earl Grey–Infused Honey Syrup on the side.
Recipe by TeaTime Magazine at https://teatimemagazine.com/earl-grey-loukoumades/