Buñuelos de Rodilla (Mexican Christmas Fritters) Recipe

Ingredients (15)

• For the Buñuelos:
• 1 cup water
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon aniseed liqueur (optional)
• 3 cups all-purpose flour, sifted twice
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup lard or unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces and chilled
• 2 large eggs, beaten and at room temperature
• 8 cups vegetable oil
•  For the Syrup:
• 1 (4 ounce) cone piloncillo or 1 cup packed dark brown sugar or 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 tablespoon anise seeds or 3 star anise pods