Leche Frita – Latino Donuts

Leche Frita is a delicious any-time dessert with monastic roots. They remind me of Easter Brunch and spring blossoms. I double up on the zest and make the orange and lemon flavors the center of this sweet treat.

A dusting of powdered sugar and cinnamon are the only adornment needed but on special occasions its fun to surprise children with colorful edible confetti or sprinkles.

This common “street food” is simply a milky custard chilled, breaded and fried. Proof once again that simplicity is best.

I have cobbled together several recipes to make this traditional Spanish dessert pleasing to a wide range of pallets.

A printable recipes follows. First, here are few notes on the methodology. I use a blend of vegetable oil and butter in the frying pan. It is not necessary, but I believe oil is too greasy on its own and butter alone burns too quickly. The oil begins to look dirty after a few batches. Use a small pan and rotate your oil and butter out to keep the breading looking light and golden.

For the breading I use a 50/50 mix of finely sifted bread crumbs and flour. I feel crumbs are too heavy and plain flour doesn’t have enough flavor. This mixture offers a great balance of both flavor and texture.

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Leche Frita - Latino Donuts

A simple dessert that the whole family will enjoy. This Latin Donut recipe is perfect for a weekend dessert or for a holiday treat.

Course Dessert

Cuisine latin

Prep Time 2 hours

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 2 hours 20 minutes

Servings 6

Author Jessica Heir

Ingredients

• 2 cups of milk
• zest of 1 orange
• zest of 1 lemon
• 1 cinnamon stick 4 eggs ½ cup sugar ½ cup corn starch
• 6 tablespoons butter
• ½ bread crumbs sifted
• ½ cup flour 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• powdered sugar and cinnamon for serving

Instructions

1. Boil milk with zest and a cinnamon stick.
2. Remove from heat. (picture)
3. In a bowl mix 2 eggs with sugar, add corn starch little by little.
4. Add strained boiled milk mixing continuously.
5. Cook on medium heat, stirring continuously, until it thickens.
6. Stir in 3 tablespoons butter and remove from heat.
7. Pour custard into an 8x8 baking pan lined with parchment paper.
8. Let rest in the fridge several hours until firm.
9. Cut into 1 ½ inch squares.
10. Dip the squares into the remaining beaten eggs and then into the flour and bread crumb mixture.

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Jessica Hehir

Jessica Hehir is a former broadcast journalist who found her calling in motherhood. Jessica has worked in all aspects of both broadcast and print journalism in Ireland and across the U.S. Jessica writes for several on topics ranging from parenting to business to health and beauty. Jessica enjoys spending time in the kitchen with her children, running long distance and dining out with her husband. She is always looking for opportunities to put her writing and party planning skills to good use in the business world as she work over time to create sweet childhood memories for her three young daughters. They inspired her new blog,www.sugarandthespice.org. You can follow her on Twitter @sugarnthespice or try to keep up with her on her Facebook page.

Latest posts by Jessica Hehir (see all)

• Leche Frita – Latino Donuts - February 4, 2014
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