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Luqaimat Recipe

Luqaimat are sweet fried dough dumplings made from a simple yeasted batter. They are fried until golden brown and then soaked or drizzled with a sugar syrup.
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Dessert
Calories: 555

Ingredients
  

For The Sugar Syrup

  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • squeeze of lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon rose water
  • 1 tablespoon orange blossom water

For The Luqaimat

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • teaspoons instant yeast
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • pinch salt
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • ½ to ¾ cup lukewarm water
  • vegetable oil for frying

Method
 

  1. In a saucepan, combine the sugar, water and lemon juice. Simmer until slightly thickened then stir in the rose water and orange blossom water. Set aside to cool.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, sugar, yeast, baking powder and salt.
  3. Slowly add the lukewarm water while mixing until a thick batter forms.
  4. Cover and let the batter rest for 30 to 60 minutes until doubled in size.
  5. Heat vegetable oil in a deep pot over medium heat.
  6. Drop small spoonfuls of batter into the hot oil and fry in batches until golden brown.
  7. Transfer the fried luqaimat onto paper towels for a few seconds.
  8. Dip the warm luqaimat into the cooled syrup until coated.
  9. Serve warm with pistachios, sesame seeds or extra syrup if desired.

Notes

  • Luqaimat are best enjoyed fresh while still crispy.
  • Leftover syrup can be stored in the fridge for several weeks.
  • The batter should be thick but still pourable.
  • You can use date syrup instead of sugar syrup for a different flavor.
  • Rose water and orange blossom water give the syrup its classic Middle Eastern flavor.