Loukoumathes: Fritters with Honey and Cinnamon

Ingredients

1 envelope active dry yeast

3 cups warm water

4 cups flour

1 cup milk

2 eggs, beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla

Vegetable oil, for frying

For the syrup:

2 cups honey

1/4 cup sugar

1 cup water

Cinnamon, ground, to taste

Directions

1. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in 2 cups warm water, proof for 5 minutes. Add 2 cups of flour to the yeast mixture, whisk to incorporate. Add in the milk and eggs. When fully mixed, add in the other 2 cups of flour. Batter should be thick but not solid, if necessary, thin with more water. Whisk in vanilla. Cover and let rise for about 2 hours.
2. For the syrup, in a small pot mix together the honey, sugar, and water and bring to a boil, turn down and simmer until completely dissolved and keep warm.
3. Heat the oil to 360 degrees and with a large spoon, drop the batter into the hot oil. It will immediately puff and come to the surface. When golden brown on both sides, remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Drizzle with warm syrup and sprinkle with cinnamon. Serve immediately.