Sopapillas (Mexican Fried Bread)

  • 1/4 cup lukewarm water
  • 1 egg
  • 1/3 cup melted margarine
  • 1 Tablespoon cornmeal
  • 1 Tablespoon yeast
  • 1 cup warm water
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 5 cups flour (less)
  • cooking oil

Mix 1/4 cup water and yeast. Blend in all the rest of the ingredients, except the oil and only use 2 cups of flour.

Add rest of flour slowly. Knead into a soft dough.

Cover and let rise until doubled.

Punch down and store in a plastic bag in regrigerator.

Roll out to 1/8 inch thick. Cut into 4 inch triangles or rectangles. Heat oil in deep pan to 365 degrees. It is hot enough when the dough sinks then rises immediately. Place dough into oil and spoon hot oil onto top of sopapilla to get it to puff up.

Fry just until puffy and golden brown. Turn quickly to lightly brown on both sides.

Serve with honey butter. Yields about 36.

Honey Butter

Mix marshmallow fluff, butter (softened), and honey together.

Sopapilla Cheesecake 

2 cans crescent rolls, divided
2 (8-oz.) pkg. cream cheese,softened
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
¼ cup butter, melted
Cinnamon and sugar to taste
Honey (optional)

Preheat oven to 350. Unroll and spread 1½ cans crescent rolls on the bottom of an ungreased 9 x 13 pan. In
a medium bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla. Spread mixture over crescent rolls. Unroll and spread
remaining crescent rolls over mixture. Spread melted butter over the top and sprinkle generously with cinnamon and sugar. Bake for 20-30 minutes.
If desired, lightly drizzle with honey. Cool to room temperature before serving. Refrigerate any leftover dessert.