YOUTIAO RECIPE (CHINESE FRIED DOUGH)

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 egg
½ teaspoon salt
1½ teaspoons baking powder
1 tablespoon milk
2 tablespoons softened (NOT MELTED) butter
about ⅓ cup water (the exact amount changes based on the humidity in your kitchen; the dough should be very soft, but not sticking to the mixing bowl)

Instructions

Using your electric mixer with the dough hook attachment, first mix the flour, egg, salt, baking powder, milk, and softened butter together on the lowest setting. Keeping the speed at “stir,” slowly add the water in a few separate batches. Knead the dough for 15 minutes. The dough should feel very soft, but should not stick to the bowl. Cover the dough, and let rest for 10 minutes. By the way, all of this can be done by hand if you don’t have a mixer. Just knead the dough for 5-10 minutes longer.
On a clean, lightly floured surface, form the dough into a long flat loaf shape, about ¼-inch thick and 4 inches wide. Take the time to make it truly uniform. Place it in the center of a large piece of plastic wrap on a baking sheet or long, flat plate, and wrap the dough, tucking the two ends of the plastic under the loaf, and ensuring that the dough is completely covered. Refrigerate overnight.
In the morning, take out the dough and let it sit on the counter (wrapped) for 1 – 2 hours until the dough is back to room temperature and VERY, VERY soft to the touch. This step is critical. If you don't let the dough come back to room temperature, it won't fry up properly.
Now prepare the oil for frying using your wok. You can also use a large pan with some depth for added safety. The goal is to have a large vessel, so that you can produce authentically long crullers. Use medium heat to slowly bring the oil up to 400 degrees.
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