Thera's Canadian Fried Dough

1. Mix together warm water, yeast, and 1 pinch white sugar in a large bowl; let sit until creamy, about 5 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, grease a separate large bowl and set it aside.

3. Stir warm milk, eggs, 1/3 cup vegetable oil, 1/3 cup white sugar, salt, and vanilla into yeast mixture until sugar is dissolved. Stir in 2 1/2 cups flour until no dry spots remain. Turn dough out onto a floured surface and knead in remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until dough is no longer sticky. Knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes.

4. Form dough into a ball and place it into the prepared bowl. Cover with a towel and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.

5. Punch down dough and knead a few times to reshape it. Pinch off a piece of dough about the size of an egg, then roll into an oval shape, about 1/4-inch thick. Place on a dish towel, cover with another dish towel, and repeat with remaining dough.

6. Heat 4 inches oil in a deep fryer or large saucepan to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

7. Make cinnamon sugar: Combine white sugar and cinnamon in a shallow dish or pie plate; set aside.

8. Lower dough carefully into hot oil in batches and fry until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Gently press fried dough into cinnamon sugar while still warm; shake off excess sugar.

Flavor Variations:

Add lemon zest to the dough in step 3, spread garlic butter and shredded sharp cheese on top of dough after frying, or if you can find it, cover fried dough with maple spread and drizzle with chocolate.

Editor's Note:

The nutrition data for this recipe includes the full amount of the sugar topping. The actual amount of the topping consumed will vary.