Kabocha Squash Fritters with Yuzu-Garlic Dipping Sauce
Japanese korokke are the basis for these cheesy squash fritters, which can be made with freshly steamed kabocha squash or canned pumpkin puree. A drier squash, kabocha has a sweet flavor and cooks down into a custardy texture that's still dry enough to fry into these crispy two-bite appetizers. Serve them with a shortcut dipping sauce, a blend of fresh garlic, bright yuzu juice, and silky Kewpie mayo.
Pączki Donuts
Pączki donuts are traditionally made just before Lent as a delicious way to use up ingredients in the pantry that would normally be given up as a Lenten sacrifice—such as butter, sugar, and jam. Try not to reroll the dough more than 2 to 3 times. This will prevent the donuts from turning slightly tough and from frying up unevenly. Freeze-dried strawberries add a terrific flavor to the jelly donut's sugar dusting. If you enjoy floral flavors, try filling the donuts with rose petal jam.
Pon de Ring (Mochi-Tofu Doughnuts)
Silken tofu gives these strawberry-flavored mochi-tofu doughnuts (inspired by pon de ring doughnuts popularized in Japan) a chewy, springy texture, while mochiko (sweet glutinous rice flour) helps the doughnuts get an airy, crispy crust. The dough and glaze get their strawberry flavor from strawberry powder; to make your own, pulse freeze-dried strawberries in a food processor until finely ground. This recipe can be adapted to make lemon-flavored doughnuts; read to the bottom of the recipe for instructions on how to make the lemon pon de ring variation.
Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Donuts
The first bite of one of these buttermilk donuts takes you from a super crunchy, craggy crust to a deliciously tender cake interior, all draped in a glorious lemonade-like glaze. A touch of nutmeg adds a touch of old-fashioned flavor. Be sure to drain the donuts twice—first on a wire rack and then again on paper towels—to remove any excess oil before glazing them.
Guyanese Gojas (Fried Coconut Turnovers)
Fried sweets prepared and shared with loved ones are a mainstay of Phagwah, or Holi, a holiday celebrated by many in the South Asian diaspora each spring. Alica Ramkirpal-Senhouse, founder of the blog Alica’s Pepperpot, learned to make these Indo-Caribbean coconut-stuffed fried handpies from her grandmother, Shelia. Freshly grated nutmeg and ginger are essential ingredients for the warmly spiced coconut filling. Serve them piping hot, soon after frying, for the best texture.
How to Store Donuts So They're Not Stale the Next Day
There's nothing sadder than a stale donut.
