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Bolinho de chuva
Cinnamon sugar fried dough balls
Bolinho de chuva: Brazilian rainy-day fried dough balls rolled in cinnamon sugar
The name means little rain cakes, because Brazilian grandmothers mix a bowl of this batter whenever a storm keeps the children indoors, from São Paulo flats to farmhouses in Minas Gerais. Spoonfuls of soft batter puff in the oil, often turning over by themselves, and are tossed in cinnamon sugar while still hot, to eat with milky coffee. Chef's tip: dip the spoon in the hot oil before each scoop and the batter slides off cleanly into round balls.
- Total time
- 30 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 6
Ingredients
For the batter
- 2 eggs
- 2 ⅛ oz sugar
- ¾ cup milk
- 9 oz plain flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
To fry and coat
- 4 ¼ cups vegetable oil, for deep-frying
- 3 ½ oz sugar
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Whisk the 2 eggs, 2 ⅛ oz sugar, ¾ cup milk and 1 tsp vanilla extract together. Stir in the 9 oz plain flour, 1 pinch salt and 1 tbsp baking powder to a thick batter that falls slowly from a spoon.
5 minStep 2: Mix the 3 ½ oz sugar and 2 tsp ground cinnamon on a plate.
1 minStep 3: Heat the 4 ¼ cups vegetable oil, for deep-frying to 350°F. Drop in small spoonfuls, 6–8 at a time. Oil that is too hot is the common mistake, browning them before the middle cooks.
3 minStep 4: Fry for 4–5 minutes, turning, until evenly golden brown. Break the first one open to check it is fluffy and cooked inside.
15 minStep 5: Drain briefly on kitchen paper and roll in the cinnamon sugar while hot.
3 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 300 kcal
- Protein
- 6 g
- Carbs
- 46 g
- Fat
- 10 g
- Fibre
- 1 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does bolinho de chuva take?
- About 30 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 6 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 sugar?
- Caster sugar, same amount.
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