LifestyleColombian culinary magic. My aunt's recipe made the entire plate vanish

Colombian culinary magic. My aunt's recipe made the entire plate vanish

"Buñuelos on the platter"
"Buñuelos on the platter"
Images source: © Adobe Stock

6:37 PM EST, November 5, 2023

It's challenging to think of a product more synonymous with autumn. Available for purchase at the store, or easily made at home, simply by mixing a glass of fine sugar with a tablespoon of ground cinnamon. This cinnamon sugar mixture can enhance the flavor and aroma of many desserts. Here are just a few examples.

Cinnamon bread

A straightforward and delectable bake, cinnamon bread enjoys immense popularity in English-speaking countries. It serves as a fantastic dessert and a perfect accompaniment for a late breakfast when enjoyed with preserves or honey.

Take 2 cups of softened butter, 2 cups of sugar, and 2 eggs, and place them in a bowl. Beat them with a mixer or by hand. Add either milk or buttermilk (4 cups), with a dash of lemon juice (2 tablespoons), followed by sifted wheat flour (about 17 cups) and baking soda (2 teaspoons). Blend smoothly together.

Layer half of the dough into a greased baking pan, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar (half a cup), then add the remaining dough, and once again sprinkle with cinnamon sugar (around 1/3 of a cup). Bake for approximately 45–50 minutes at 350 ° F. Test the bread with a toothpick towards the end. Allow the bread to cool for about 20 minutes before taking it out of the pan.

Buñuelos

Buñuelos are very popular cookies in South America, especially Colombia. So, how exactly does one prepare these delicious treats?

Begin by sifting 6 1/2 cups of wheat flour and blend it with baking powder (1 teaspoon). In a separate bowl, whisk together brown sugar (3 tablespoons) and vegetable or butter oil (1 cup) until smooth. Incorporate one egg, milk (1 cup), and a traditional cornflour known in Poland as hariné (2 cups). Blend the mixture, then gradually add the wheat flour, continuously mixing.

Roll out the dough and cut it into pieces, forming them into small spheres, which should be slightly flattened. Deep-fry for about six to seven minutes, until golden. Allow the cookies to drain on a paper towel, then thoroughly roll them in the cinnamon sugar. These are best served warm.

Bananas in cinnamon sugar

Bananas are another fruit that pairs excellently with cinnamon sugar, a combination worth exploiting when preparing a delicious, autumnal dessert.

Carve two ripe bananas into slices and fry them in clarified butter for 2-3 minutes. Sprinkle them with cinnamon sugar and flip to the other side. Finally, sprinkle them again with the cinnamon sweetener and a touch of nutmeg. This dessert is also best when served warm.

Churros

This highly popular snack in the Iberian Peninsula and throughout Latin America is making a name for itself in Polish bakeries and food trucks. Despite the complex feel, the preparation is quite straightforward. So, how can you prepare churros with cinnamon sugar?

Combine a cup of water, two tablespoons of oil, two tablespoons of sugar, and a pinch of salt to a boil, lower the heat, and mix in a cup of flour. Stir for a few minutes with a wooden spoon until you obtain a smooth consistency. After it cools, stir 2–3 eggs into the mix.

Heat the frying oil to about 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid higher temperatures as the churros could get too hard outside while remaining undercooked inside. Transfer the dough into a pastry bag with a star nozzle and squeeze out pieces about 3–4 inches long directly into the heated oil. Fry for a few minutes, until the churros turn golden. Place them on a paper towel using a slotted spoon, ensuring the excess oil drains off.

After cooling, sprinkle the churros with cinnamon sugar. Serve along with a chocolate sauce, perhaps a blend of cream, butter, dessert chocolate, with a bit of rum and chili for a kick. These should be dipped into the sauce before savoring.