Dessert · Latin American · Snack ·

Sweet Cuban Buñuelos with Anise-Infused Syrup

Name: Sweet Cuban Buñuelos with Anise-Infused Syrup
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 120 min
Yield: 12 servings
Cuisine: Dessert
Ingredients: 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; Sugar, 1 cup; Water, 1 cup; Star anise pods, 3 pods; Cinnamon stick, 1 stick; Lemon zest, 1 teaspoon; Vegetable oil, for frying

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.

4.8(655 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·November 6, 2025

Sweet Cuban Buñuelos with Anise-Infused Syrup — Dessert served and photographed from above

Prep

30 min

Cook

1 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Buñuelos Dough

For the Anise-Infused Syrup

For Frying

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 193 kcal
Protein: 1.79 g
Carbs: 36.08 g
Fat: 4.83 g
Fiber: 0.75 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 2312 kcal
Protein: 21.5 g
Carbs: 433 g
Fat: 58 g
Fiber: 9 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
Yuca root 1 cup, peeled and grated	330	2.5	78	0.5	2
Malanga root 1 cup, peeled and grated	280	3	74	1	4
All-purpose flour 1/4 cup	110	3	23	0.5	1
Sugar 1/4 cup	200	0	50	0	0
Butter 1 tablespoon, melted	100	0	0	11	0
Eggs 2 large	150	12	1	10	0
Vanilla extract 1 teaspoon	12	0	0.5	0	0
Ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon	2	0	0.5	0	0
Salt 1/4 teaspoon	0	0	0	0	0
Sugar 1 cup	800	0	200	0	0
Water 1 cup	0	0	0	0	0
Star anise pods 3 pods	20	1	3	1	1
Cinnamon stick 1 stick	6	0	2	0	1
Lemon zest 1 teaspoon	2	0	1	0	0
Vegetable oil for frying	300	0	0	34	0

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Preparing the Dough

1
Combine Grated Roots
In a large mixing bowl, combine the grated yuca and malanga.
2
Mix Ingredients
Add the flour, sugar, melted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt. Mix until a smooth dough forms.
Tip: Ensure the dough is not over-mixed to avoid dense buñuelos.
3
Rest the Dough
Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and let it rest for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Tip: 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

1
Combine Syrup Ingredients
In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, water, star anise pods, cinnamon stick, and lemon zest.
2
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.
3
Strain the Syrup
Remove from heat and strain to remove the spices.

How to Make Sweet Cuban Buñuelos with Anise-Infused Syrup

Total time: 2 h · Yields 12 servings

1
Heat the Oil
Heat the vegetable oil in a deep skillet to 350°F (175°C).
2
Form the Buñuelos
Take small portions of dough and shape them into rings or balls.
3
Fry until Golden
Carefully drop the buñuelos into the hot oil and fry until golden brown and crisp on all sides.