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Filhoses

Golden fried yeast dough discs scented with orange zest and rolled in cinnamon sugar, traditionally made for Christmas and winter celebrations in Portugal. Plan ahead: let the dough rise 1 hour.

50 minMediumServes 6360 cal/serving

PortugueseDessertStovetopVegetarianNut-FreeShellfish-Free

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Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup whole milk, warmed
  • 2 tsp active dry yeast
  • 2 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp orange zest, finely grated
  • 1/4 tsp kosher salt
  • 4 cups vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions

  1. 1

    Stir 2 tsp active dry yeast and 2 tbsp granulated sugar into the warm whole milk. Wait 5 minutes, until foamy.

  2. 2

    Whisk 2 large eggs, 2 tbsp softened unsalted butter, 1 tsp orange zest, and 1/4 tsp kosher salt into the milk. Mix in 2 cups all-purpose flour to form a soft dough, then knead 5 minutes until smooth.

  3. 3

    Cover and let rise 1 hour, until doubled.

  4. 4

    Pinch off walnut-size pieces and flatten each into a disc about 1/2 inch thick. Let them rest 15 minutes.

  5. 5

    Heat 4 cups vegetable oil to 350°F in a deep pan. Fry the discs 2 minutes per side, until golden. Drain on paper towels.

  6. 6

    While still warm, toss the filhoses in 1/2 cup granulated sugar mixed with 1 tsp ground cinnamon.

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Questions

What is Filhoses?

Golden fried yeast dough discs scented with orange zest and rolled in cinnamon sugar, traditionally made for Christmas and winter celebrations in Portugal. Plan ahead: let the dough rise 1 hour. This reference files it under Portuguese dessert: made on the stovetop, rated medium and about 50 minutes start to finish.

How long does Filhoses take?

As written, 50 minutes: 30 of prep and 20 of cooking. The longest single stretch is the hands-off wait in step 3, 1 hour. That wait sits outside the stated prep and cook times, so plan around it.

How hot should the oil be for Filhoses?

For Filhoses, the frying oil is held at 350 F (about 175 C) in step 5. Hotter scorches the outside before the inside cooks, and cooler turns it greasy.

What can I use instead of yeast in Filhoses?

The entry for Filhoses calls for 2 tsp active dry yeast. In its place: Instant and active dry yeast swap measure for measure. Active dry wants five minutes in warm liquid first, while instant goes straight into the flour.

Can I make Filhoses dairy-free?

Yes. The dairy in Filhoses is 3/4 cup whole milk, warmed, 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened. Swap the milk for unsweetened oat or soy milk; the butter for olive oil where it melts, or a plant-based block butter where it is creamed. The richness shifts slightly, but the method does not change.

Does Filhoses contain eggs?

Yes: 2 large eggs. The full allergen list for this entry is gluten, dairy and eggs. Packaged ingredients vary by brand, so check labels if the allergy is serious.

Can I start Filhoses the day before?

Yes. Step 3 is a built-in pause of 1 hour: "Cover and let rise 1 hour, until doubled." Do everything up to that point ahead of time and pick up at step 4 when you are ready to finish.

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