Sweet Cuban Buñuelos with Anise-Infused Syrup

Name: Sweet Cuban Buñuelos with Anise-Infused Syrup
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 12
Cuisine: Dessert
Ingredients: Yuca root; Malanga root; All-purpose flour; Sugar; Butter; Eggs; Vanilla extract; Ground cinnamon; Salt; Sugar; Water; Star anise pods; Cinnamon stick; Lemon zest; Vegetable oil

Cuban Dessert Doughnuts with a Fragrant Syrup

Delight in the heavenly taste of traditional Cuban buñuelos — crisp on the outside and fluffy inside, generously drizzled with a warm, aromatic anise-infused syrup.

1 h 30 min
12
Intermediate

Ingredients

For the Buñuelos Dough

Yuca root

1 cup, peeled and grated

Malanga root

1 cup, peeled and grated

All-purpose flour

1/4 cup

Sugar

1/4 cup

Butter

1 tablespoon, melted

Eggs

2 large

Vanilla extract

1 teaspoon

Ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon

Salt

1/4 teaspoon

For the Anise-Infused Syrup

Sugar

1 cup

Water

1 cup

Star anise pods

3 pods

Cinnamon stick

1 stick

Lemon zest

1 teaspoon

For Frying

Vegetable oil

for frying

Preparation

Preparing the Dough

Combine Grated Roots

In a large mixing bowl, combine the grated yuca and malanga.

Mix Ingredients

Add the flour, sugar, melted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt. Mix until a smooth dough forms.

Ensure the dough is not over-mixed to avoid dense buñuelos.

Rest the Dough

Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and let it rest for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Ensure that the dough is well-rested to achieve a perfect texture. Refrigerate the dough for easy handling and better shape retention during frying.

Preparing the Anise-Infused Syrup

Combine Syrup Ingredients

In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, water, star anise pods, cinnamon stick, and lemon zest.

Simmer the Syrup

Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for 15 minutes until slightly thickened.

Strain the Syrup

Remove from heat and strain to remove the spices.

Cooking Process

Heat the Oil

Heat the vegetable oil in a deep skillet to 350°F (175°C).

Form the Buñuelos

Take small portions of dough and shape them into rings or balls.

Fry until Golden

Carefully drop the buñuelos into the hot oil and fry until golden brown and crisp on all sides.

Fry for about 3-4 minutes until golden brown and crisp.

Plating & Serving