Berliner

4 cups All-Purpose Flour
1 package Active Dry Yeast
1/4 cup Sugar
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) Butter
Pinch of Salt
1 cup Whole Milk
2 Eggs
1 package Vanilla Sugar
Zest from 1 Lemon
Oil for deep frying
Jam or Vanilla Pudding for the filling
Powdered Sugar

In a small bowl, combine the yeast and half of the milk (luke warm). Mix in 2 tablespoons of the flour and 1 teaspoon of the sugar. Allow this mixture to sit in a warm place for 1 hour.

Combine remaining dough ingredients then add in the yeast mixture. Mix until a smooth dough forms, then knead by hand. Allow dough to sit in a warm place until double in volume.

Roll out dough to a thickness of 1 inch. Using a glass or a biscuit cutter, cut out round pieces. Place the round pieces on a large cookie sheet and cover with a cloth or plastic wrap. Allow to rise until double in size.

Heat the oil in a large pot or deep frier. Fry each Berliner for 8-10 minutes, turning to make sure all sides brown nicely. Place fried Berliners on clean paper towels to absorb excess oil. Allow to cool.

Fill a piping bag (fitted with a small round tip) with the filling of your choice. Press the tip of the piping bag into each Berliner and squirt in some filling.

Dust the finished Berliners with powdered sugar. Enjoy!

More Information on the Berliner