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Malasadas

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Malasadas - sweet, light and fluffy Portuguese donuts. The easiest malasadas recipe ever, fail-proof, delicious, just like Leonard's Bakery in Hawaii!
Malasadas - sweet, light and fluffy Portuguese donuts. The easiest malasadas recipe ever, fail-proof, delicious, just like Leonard's Bakery in Hawaii | rasamalaysia.com
Easy and quick malasadas Portuguese donuts coated with granulated sugar.

Malasadas

Soft, fluffy, pillowy and sweet Malasadas that you just can’t stop eating. This easy Malasadas recipe is Leonard’s Bakery copycat, it’s fail-proof and super easy.

homemade easy sweet, light and fluffy Portuguese donuts dessert in a basket.

If you have been to Hawaii, I am sure you have had the world’s famous Leonard’s Malasadas on the island of Oahu.

You hadn’t been to Hawaii if you didn’t try Leonard’s. I am one of the fans of malasadas, ones that I am constantly craving.

Fried golden-brown malasadas coated with granulated sugar.

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Malasadas is Portuguese in origin. They are basically yeast-based fried dough balls coated with sugar. The dough is soft, puffy, pillowy and once you sink your teeth into one, you just can’t stop eating. I am hooked since my first trip to Hawaii.

Leonard's Bakery malasadas copycat, ready to serve.

My baker Kendoll and I decided to try the recipe from My Pinterventures, which is the easiest malasadas recipe ever! It’s very straight forward and it doesn’t take a long time. The active time is pretty short and the proof time is about 1 hour.

Easy homemade Portuguese donuts torn in half.

How Many Calories per Serving?

This easy Malasadas recipe is only 238 calories per piece.

What Dishes to Serve with This Recipe?

This sweet treat is best served with a cup of coffee or tea. For an afternoon tea party, I recommend the following recipes.

The end results are the most amazing malasadas that transport me instantly to Leonard’s Bakery. Every bite is utterly satisfying. Try this recipe, I guarantee you it’s fail-proof!

Yield: 24 malasadas

Malasadas (The Best Recipe)

Malasadas

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
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 packet（1/4 oz. or 2 1/4 teaspoons or 7 g) active dry yeast
  • 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

  1. Dissolve the yeast and the 1 tablespoon of sugar in warm water. In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, sugar and salt and make a well in the center. Add the milk, butter, eggs and yeast mixture. Beat thoroughly to form a soft and smooth dough. Cover and let rise until doubled in size, about an hour. Heat oil to 350°F (176°C) . While the oil is heating up, shape dough into flat round discs, pulling the dough outwards and leaving a small indentation in the center (see picture below).
    Malasadas
  2. Place the dough into the oil and fry until browned. Drain on paper towels, then shake in a bag with sugar.

Notes

Scalded milk is milk heated to a near boil. It makes the malasadas fluffier and and lighter.

Adapted from: Pinterventures

Nutrition Information

Serving Size

24 malasadas
Amount Per Serving Calories 238Total Fat 6gSaturated Fat 3gCholesterol 67mgSodium 161mgCarbohydrates 38gFiber 1gSugar 6gProtein 7g
© Rasa Malaysia
Cuisine: American / Category: American Recipes

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Comments

  1. Dayna Ukauka

    Aloha, I am originally from Oahu and KNOW these “ono” malasadas from Leonard’s bakery, I moved to the big island of Hawaii and I am craving Leonard’s malasadas there’s NO WHERE on the big island that serves something nearly close to Leonard’s, I’m definitely going to try out your recipe, but I’m curious to know just how you got the recipe, I’m wanting to get ahold of the owner of Leonard’s and see if there’s any way of opening up a little shop or the infamous Leonard’s “truck” here and serve the ORIGINAL MALASADA, LEONARD’S THAT IS ????

    Reply

    • Rasa Malaysia

      Hi Dayna, I got the recipe from another website. It’s in the post.

      Reply

      • Lisa Peterson

        There used to be a Lenards in Hilo years ago. But you can get really good ones at Tex Drive In. In Honokaa

        Reply

        • Dayna

          Nice!&personally I don’t think that tex’s is good at all it’s basically a bread roll that they deep fry and coat with sugar

          Reply

      • Dayna

        Nice!&personally I don’t think that tex’s is good at all it’s basically a bread roll that they deep fry and coat with sugar

        Reply

        • Kale

          Can you substitute the scalded milk with Almond milk or coconut milk?

          Reply

  2. ken

    5 stars
    i am multiplying this recipie by 16

    Reply

    • Rasa Malaysia

      Awesome!

      Reply

  3. Dana Farinha

    Rasa,
    Can I use bread flour instead of all purpose?

    Reply

    • Rasa Malaysia

      Please follow the recipe as is. I don’t know if bread flour would work.

      Reply

      • Dana Farinha

        Thank you! My dough looks very sticky is that okay?

        Reply

  4. Anna Novo

    This is Portuguese donuts “Malasadas” not Hawaii. You should reference the Portuguese.

    Reply

    • Rasa Malaysia

      Anna, did you read my post? I said that the origin is Portuguese but my version is a Leonard’s copycat.

      Reply

      • Dayna

        I read it and you do indicate that it’s a Portuguese donut and a copycat version of Leonard’s malasadas!!????

        Reply

  5. Dawn

    Flat tasting I intended to add vanilla but following the recipe and forgot. :( I luckily added coconut and cream cheese to the center of some which gave a little flavor. Be careful not to use high heat as they burn easily which makes them raw in the center, my fault as I didn’t temp the oil

    Reply

  6. Kelsey

    I added at least a 1/2 c more flour so the dough was more manageable. It didn’t make them tough when frying. I cooked half right away and the other half in the fridge. I pulled the dough out of the fridge and let it warm up slowly for a few hours and then patted it to about 1/2” thigh and cut into small squares then fried. It was a crowd pleaser. Taste was great.

    Reply

    • Rasa Malaysia

      Hi Kelsey, sounds good. Glad you like the malasadas.

      Reply

  7. Jennifer

    I think why it’s being asked as they look small, like donut *holes*. Perhaps they are more donut sized, in which serving size one – 224 calories makes more sense. Thank you

    Reply

    • Michele Y G Wong

      Can I use an air fryer instead of frying it in oil?

      Reply

      • Rasa Malaysia

        I don’t think so.

        Reply

        • Michele Y G Wong

          Thank you for your quick response. ??

          Reply

  8. Jennifer

    I see the recipe makes 24. What is the serving size for the nutrition facts? One?

    So each malasada is 237 calories? Thank you.

    Reply

    • Rasa Malaysia

      Yes, that’s what my program tells me. It’s ok just indulge!

      Reply

  9. Sara

    Can you make them with gluten free flower?

    Reply

    • Charlene

      Can these be made gluten free ?

      Reply

  10. Rose

    About how much oil is needed?

    Reply

    • Rasa Malaysia

      Depending on what utensil you use, basically about 2-3 inches high in your utensil.

      Reply

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