Peruvian Sweet Potato Doughnuts (Picarones)
Made with sweet potatoes, this crisp-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside Peruvian dessert is topped with a spicy-sweet syrup.
Ingredients
- 2 cups (500 ml) water
- 1 2/3 cups (250 g) sweet potato, peeled and cubed
- 1 cinnamon stick, about 3 inches (7.5 cm) long
- 1 tsp aniseed
- 2 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp instant yeast
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 cups (225 g) unbleached all-purpose flour
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- 1/2 cup (125 ml) honey
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) water
- 2 tsp (10 ml) molasses
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground aniseed
Instructions
- In a small pot, bring the water, sweet potato, cinnamon stick and aniseed to a boil. Simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes. Set 1/2 cup (125 ml) of the cooking liquid aside. Drain the potatoes and return to the pot. Discard the cinnamon stick. Mash the potatoes with a potato masher until smooth, then transfer to a bowl and let cool for 5 minutes.
- Add the sugar, yeast and salt to the potato purée. Mix well with a wooden spoon. Add the flour alternately with the reserved cooking liquid and mix until the dough is uniform. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm spot until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
- Preheat the oil in a deep fryer to 350°F (180°C). Line a baking sheet with paper towels. With moistened hands, make the doughnuts by shaping about 2 tbsp (30 ml) of dough into a ring and carefully dropping it into the hot oil. Watch out for splattering. Fry 2 or 3 doughnuts at a time until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Drain on the paper towels.
Made with sweet potatoes, this crisp-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside Peruvian dessert is topped with a spicy-sweet syrup.