These bite-sized beauties are equally good whether served in the morning or at any other time of day. Be warned – they’re incredibly moreish. Serve them piping hot. You’ll need to begin this recipe a day ahead.
Ingredients
Method
Main
1.Combine 100gm flour, yeast, honey, orange rind and 130ml lukewarm water in the bowl of an electric mixer, whisk until smooth, cover and stand in a warm place until foamy (45 minutes-1 hour). Change attachment to a dough hook. Add milk, egg yolks, sugar, 1 tsp sea salt and remaining flour. Mix on low speed to combine, add butter and mix until dough is silky and sticky (4-5 minutes). Transfer to a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
2.Meanwhile, for orange jam, combine ingredients in a small saucepan, stir over medium-high heat until sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil and stir occasionally until jammy (25-30 minutes). Cool completely. Makes about 400ml. Jam will keep refrigerated in a sterilised jar for up to 1 month.
3.Meanwhile, for fennel and orange sugar, dry-roast fennel seeds in a small frying pan over medium heat (1-2 minutes), then coarsely grind in a mortar and pestle. Cool, combine in a shallow tray with sugar and orange rind and set aside.
4.Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large deep-sided saucepan to 180C. Roll dough out on a lightly floured surface to 1cm thick, cut out rounds with a 3cm-diameter cutter (discard scraps). Deep-fry, turning once, in four batches, until puffed and golden (2-3 minutes), drain on absorbent paper, roll in fennel and orange sugar and serve immediately with orange jam and mascarpone.