Home / Recipes / Dessert Recipes
ByRasa Malaysia
4.53 from 626 votes
Published May 21, 2018
Updated Nov 21, 2024
Recipe Index
RecipeVideoThis post may contain affiliate links. Please read myprivacy policy.
Savor the heavenly taste of malasadas—sweet, light, and fluffy Portuguese doughnuts. This easy, fail-proof recipe mirrors the deliciousness of Leonard's Bakery in Hawaii! With each bite, savor the irresistible sweetness and airy texture, transporting you to the sun-kissed shores of Oahu.
Table of Contents
- What Is Malasadas
- Leonard’s Bakery Copycat Recipe
- Origin Of Hawaiian Malasadas
- Difference Between Malasadas And Beignet
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What To Serve With Malasadas
- Other Recipes You Might Like
- Malasadas (The Best Recipe)
What Is Malasadas
Malasadas are delicious Portuguese-style doughnuts beloved in Hawaii. They’re fluffy, fried, and coated in sugar, sometimes filled with creamy delights like custard or fruit.
Found in bakeries and food trucks across the islands, they’re a favorite treat for locals and tourists alike, offering a taste of Hawaiian sweetness and tradition.
Leonard’s Bakery Copycat Recipe
If you’ve been to Hawaii, you’ve probably tasted Leonard’s Bakery’s famous Malasadas on Oahu. Trying them is a must-do in Hawaii, and once you’ve had a taste, you’ll find yourself craving them constantly, just like me.
Indulge in the irresistible delight of soft, fluffy, and sweet Malasadas with this fail-proof recipe inspired by Leonard’s Bakery. You won’t be able to resist these pillowy treats that are so easy to make.
My baker friend Kendoll and I decided to try the recipe from My Pinterventures, which is the easiest malasadas recipe ever! It’s very straightforward and doesn’t take long. The active time is pretty short, and the proofing time is about one hour.
These malasadas are like a taste of Leonard’s Bakery in every bite. They’re so satisfying! Give this easy recipe a go—I promise it won’t let you down!
Origin Of Hawaiian Malasadas
Malasadas originated in Portugal and were brought to Hawaii by Portuguese immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Oahu’s malasadas, including those from Leonard’s Bakery, reflect this heritage and have become an iconic treat on the island.
Difference Between Malasadas And Beignet
Malasadas and beignets are both fried dough treats, but they come from different backgrounds. Malasadas have Portuguese roots and are round and fluffy, often filled or dusted with sugar.
Beignets, originating from French cuisine, are square, denser, and typically served with powdered sugar. While both are delicious, they have distinct flavors and textures shaped by their cultural origins.
Malasadas: Portuguese-style fried dough, round and fluffy, often filled or dusted with sugar. Beignets: French-style fried dough, square-shaped, denser, usually served with powdered sugar, for example: New Orleans Beignets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best oil for deep frying?
Canola oil is the best oil for deep frying due to its neutral flavor, high smoke point (around 400°F or 204°C). It is also low in saturated fat content. I also like soybean oil, which has a neutral flavor and a high smoke point (around 450°F or 232°C).
How many calories per serving?
This easy Malasadas recipe is only 238 calories per piece.
What To Serve With Malasadas
This sweet treat is best served with a cup of coffee or tea. For an afternoon tea party, I recommend the following recipes.
New Orleans Beignets
Blueberry Butter Cake
Lemon Pound Cake
Pina Colada Quick Bread
I hope you enjoy this post as much as I do. If you try my recipe, please leave a comment and consider giving it a 5-star rating. For more easy and delicious recipes, explore myRecipe Index, and stay updated by subscribing to mynewsletterand following me onFacebook,Pinterest,andInstagramfor new updates.
Other Recipes You Might Like
- Beignets
- New Orleans Beignets
- Easy Donut Holes
SavePinPrint
4.53 from 626 votes
Malasadas (The Best Recipe)
By: Bee Yinn Low
Malasadas – sweet, light and fluffy Portuguese donuts. The easiest malasadas recipe ever, fail-proof, delicious, just like Leonard's Bakery in Hawaii.
Prep Time: 1 hour hour
Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
Total Time: 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes
Servings: 24 malasadas
Ingredients
- 1 packet active dry yeast, 1/4 oz. (5mm) or 2 1/4 teaspoons or 7 g)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/3 cup water
- 8 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups scalded milk
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 8 large eggs, beaten
- oil , for frying
- sugar, for coating
Instructions
Dissolve the yeast and 1 tablespoon of sugar in warm water. In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, sugar, and salt, then make a well in the center. Add the milk, butter, eggs, and yeast mixture into the well.
Beat thoroughly to form a soft and smooth dough. Cover and let rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour. Heat oil to 350°F (176°C).
While the oil is heating up, shape the dough into flat round discs, pulling the dough outward and leaving a small indentation in the center.
Place the dough into the oil and fry until browned. Drain on paper towels, then shake in a bag with sugar.
Video
Notes
Scalded milk is milk heated to a near boil. It makes the malasadas fluffier and and lighter.
Adapted from: Pinterventures
Nutrition
Serving: 24malasadas, Calories: 238kcal, Carbohydrates: 38g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 67mg, Sodium: 161mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 6g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Please rate and comment below!
About Rasa Malaysia
Bee is a recipe developer and best-selling cookbook author, sharing easy, quick, and delicious Asian and American recipes since 2006. With a strong following of almost 2 million fans online, her expertise has been featured in major publications, TV and radio programs, and live cooking demos throughout the United States and Asia.
Read More
