Thera's Canadian Fried Dough

Ingredients

• 0.5 cups warm water , 110 degrees F/45 degrees C
• 5 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 pinch white sugar
• 1 cup warm milk , 110 degrees F/45 degrees C
• 3 large eggs , beaten
• 0.33 cups vegetable oil
• 0.33 cups white sugar
• 1.5 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 5 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 quart vegetable oil for frying

Instructions

1. 1

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

2. 2

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

3. 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. 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. 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. 6

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

7. 7

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

8. 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.