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Croquignoles
Twisted nutmeg doughnuts
Croquignoles: Quebec's twisted nutmeg doughnuts for the Christmas réveillon
Croquignoles are old-fashioned Quebec doughnuts, cut into strips, slit and twisted into knots, then fried and rolled in sugar. Grandmothers made them by the dozen for the réveillon, the feast after midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, and for New Year's Day visits. They are dense and cakey rather than yeasty, scented with nutmeg. Chef's tip: keep the dough soft and well chilled, so it is easy to roll and the croquignoles stay tender; extra flour makes them tough.
- Total time
- 70 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 24
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 5 ½ oz caster sugar
- 1 ¾ oz buttermelted
- ¾ cup milk
- 16 oz plain flourplus extra for rolling
- 3 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp salt
- 4 ¼ cups vegetable oilfor frying
- 2 ⅞ oz caster sugarfor rolling
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Whisk 2 eggs and 5 ½ oz caster sugar until pale, then whisk in 1 ¾ oz butter and ¾ cup milk.
Step 2: Mix 16 oz plain flour, 3 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp ground nutmeg and ½ tsp salt and stir into the egg mixture to a soft, slightly sticky dough. Wrap and chill for 1 hour.
5 minStep 3: Roll the dough 1 cm thick on a floured surface and cut into strips 2 × 10 cm. Cut a 4 cm slit lengthwise in the middle of each and pull one end through the slit to make a twist.
20 minStep 4: Heat 4 ¼ cups vegetable oil to 350°F. Fry 4–5 at a time for 2–3 minutes, turning once, until deep golden. Break one open: the inside should be cooked through and cakey, with no raw streak. A common mistake is oil that is too hot, which browns them outside while they are still raw inside.
25 minStep 5: Drain on kitchen paper and toss in 2 ⅞ oz caster sugar while still warm.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 160 kcal
- Protein
- 3 g
- Carbs
- 22 g
- Fat
- 7 g
- Fibre
- 1 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does croquignoles take?
- About 70 minutes in total: 40 minutes to prepare and 30 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 24 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- What can I use instead of eggs?
- 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water per egg, left for 5 minutes (baking only; vegan).
- What can I use instead of caster sugar?
- Caster sugar, same amount.
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