A Fánk is a type of doughnut that is popular in Hungary. It is made from a sweet yeast dough and is deep-fried. The dough is then rolled in sugar or a sugar and cinnamon mixture. Fánk are often served with a fruit jam or a chocolate sauce.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup semolina flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- vegetable oil, for frying
Method
- Warm the milk in a small saucepan over low heat until it is just lukewarm. Remove from the heat and stir in the sugar and yeast. Set aside for 5 minutes to allow the yeast to activate.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, semolina flour, and salt. Add the yeast mixture and stir until well combined.
- Add the butter and egg and mix until the dough is smooth. Cover the bowl with a damp towel and set aside in a warm place to rise for 1 hour.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the sugar and cinnamon. Set aside.
- Pour the oil into a large saucepan or Dutch oven and heat over medium heat until it reaches 365°F.
- Carefully drop the doughnuts into the hot oil, a few at a time. Fry for 2 minutes, or until they are golden brown. Remove from the oil with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
- Roll the doughnuts in the sugar and cinnamon mixture. Serve warm.
Potential changes & improvements
If you want a richer doughnut, you can add an extra egg to the recipe. For a less sweet doughnut, you can reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe. You could also try adding some lemon zest to the dough for a citrus flavor.
What other food it works well with
Fánk are often served with a fruit jam or a chocolate sauce. Try serving them with a strawberry or raspberry jam. You could also serve them with a chocolate ganache or a chocolate hazelnut spread.
Common Mistakes
One common mistake when making Fánk is not kneading the dough long enough. This will result in a tough doughnut. Be sure to knead the dough until it is smooth. Another mistake is not frying the doughnuts at the correct temperature. The oil should be at 365°F before you start frying the doughnuts. If the oil is too hot, the doughnuts will be burnt on the outside but raw on the inside. If the oil is not hot enough, the doughnuts will be greasy.
Nutritional Information
Fánk are high in fat and calories. A single doughnut can contain over 200 calories and 10 grams of fat.
Allergens
Fánk contain wheat, milk, and eggs. They may also contain traces of nuts, soy, and peanuts.