Bishi (Armenian Zeppole)

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Margie, a reader of our blog from Pennsylvania, had a special request for us — to help find a recipe her grandmother used to make. The recipe, bishi, is deep-fried dough — lighter than doughnuts, more like a crueller sprinkled with sugar. This is a slight variation of a recipe from our cousin, Alice Bakalian. Click here to read about how bishi is also Kim Kardashian's favorite dessert.

Servings

servings

Ingredients

1 packet dry yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
3/4 cup lukewarm water (about 105-110 degrees)
1 cup flour
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2 eggs
4 cup vegetable oil, for frying, or more as needed*
powdered sugar, for dusting

Directions

Dissolve the yeast and sugar in the water. Mix the flour, baking powder, and eggs in a bowl. Stir in the yeast mixture until blended. Let stand 20 minutes to allow the mixture to thicken and rise.
Meanwhile, add the oil to an electric skillet, and heat to 375 degrees.** Test with a small amount of dough — drop it in hot oil, 1 tablespoon at a time. Fry until golden brown all around. Don't place too many dollops of batter in the hot oil at once. (Crowding causes the oil temperature to drop and the bishi will soak up too much oil and become unpleasantly greasy.) After frying, drain on paper towels, then dust with powdered sugar. Serve immediately.