Fried dough

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This article is about a particular kind of food that is known by the specific name "Fried dough." For a comprehensive overview of many different foods that are all made by frying kinds of dough, see Fried dough foods.

Fried dough is a North American food associated with outdoor food stands in carnivals, amusement parks, fairs, rodeos, and seaside resorts (though it can be made at home). Fried dough is the specific name for a particular variety of fried bread made of a yeast dough; see the accompanying images for an example of use on carnival-booth signage. Fried dough is also known as elephant (or oliphaunt} ears, frying saucers, and in the case of smaller pieces, doughboys; these foods are virtually identical to each other, and recognizably different from other fried dough foods such as doughnuts, beignets, or fritters. An Italian variant common in North America is zeppole.

1 Preparation
2 Similarities to other foods
3 See also
4 External links

[edit] Preparation

It is made by deep-fat-frying a portion of risen yeast dough. It is often served sprinkled with powdered sugar and cinnamon or topped with fruit sauce. Sometimes it is also topped with chocolate sauce or whipped cream. The dough acquires an irregular, bubbly appearance from being fried.

[edit] Similarities to other foods

[edit] Funnel cake

Funnel cake is a somewhat similar food but is made with an unleavened batter and shaped by being poured through a funnel. Native American Indian fry bread is another similar deep-fried bread and may have inspired fried dough.

[edit] BeaverTails

In Canada, fried dough pieces are commonly known as "BeaverTails" from a brand name that has entered common parlance, though in Newfoundland, pan-fried dough is known as Toutons. BeaverTails are oval-shaped, lending to their namesake. Common toppings include cinnamon, lemon, and maple syrup. The first BeaverTails restaurant opened in Ottawa more than 25 years ago and now has more than 130 locations around the world. BeaverTails are a popular treat for skaters on the Rideau Canal in Ottawa during the winter.

[edit] Churros

Churros are a popular Spanish fried dough snack, shaped by extruding dough into thin tubes through a (usually star shaped) nozzle. The center is somtimes filled with berry or creme filling.