Banana Stuffed Fried Dough-Part Two Of Fried Dough Month

Add water to the stand mixer bowl. Add yeast and let sit for five minutes. Stir. Add milk, sugar, salt, shortening, and 2 cups of flour. On low speed, combine the ingredients until smooth, scraping the bowl with a rubber spatula. Turn off the mixer. Add two more cups of flour. Starting on low, incorporate the flour. Gradually increase speed to 4 or medium. Stop the mixer to scrape the flour off the side of the bowl. Once the dough pulls away from the side of the bowl on its own, check the consistency. If it feels wet and clumps to the hands, add 1/8 cup of flour at a time until the dough no longer clumps. Mix on level 4 or medium for 5 minutes. After the kneading process, the dough should be smooth and elastic.

With greased hands, remove the dough and place it on a lightly floured surface. Knead about 10 times using the palms of your hands. Place in a large greased bowl. Cover with a greased plastic wrap and a cloth towel. Place in a warm area until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

Punch down dough with greased hands. Pinch off small pieces and shape into 5-inch rounds that are no more than 1/4 inch thick. If the dough is too tacky when forming rounds, generously dust the work surface and your hands with flour. Place rounds on a greased or floured surface.

Preheat 3-4 inches of oil in a deep fryer or a frying pan to 375 degrees F.

Add banana, granulated sugar, and cinnamon into a large bowl. Gently stir to combine. To stuff the dough, place about 8 banana slices on one of the rounds. Cover with a second round. Press edges down with fingers to seal. To cook, gently transfer, one at a time, to the hot oil using a large, greased spatula. Fry until golden brown, about 1 to 2 minutes per side. Place on paper towels to drain. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Makes about 8 servings.