Beaver Tails

I made Beaver Tails today... and they are goooood. Here is the recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup warm water
• 5 teaspoons yeast
• 1 pinch white sugar
• 1 cup warm milk
• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 5 cups whole wheat flour
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•  oil for frying
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• 2 cups white sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

As usual, I used my kitchenaid stand mixer with the dough hook attachment (which I LOVE). Makes life easy, well cooking and baking anyway. So if you don't have one I guess just follow my directions minus kitchenaid stuff. So: start by stirring together the warm water, yeast and a pinch of sugar. Let it stand for 5 mins or so. Then add the sugar, salt, milk, vanilla, eggs and oil and give it a good stir by hand. Attach your dough hook and add the flour. Mix on low speed until it forms a ball. Continue to "knead" for another 5 mins or so. You should have a ball of dough with clean sides of your bowl. Place dough in a greased bowl (I used the same bowl), turn, and cover. Let rise until doubled in size, about 30 - 50 mins. 

I always put my dough in an ever-so-slightly warm oven to rise.
Punch your dough! Take golf ball size pieces of dough and roll out (on floured surface) to make an oval and set aside to rest, covering with a tea towel while you continue with the remaining dough.
Have your oil preheating in a dutch oven over medium heat. Make sure it is 3 - 4 inches deep.
Stretch the ovals into "beaver tails" and place into the oil (one to two at a time). Fry them 1 -2 mins per side, then place on paper towel. Toss with the cinnamon sugar in a large bowl using tongs while still hot, then shake off excess before serving.