Brazilian Beignets "Cueca Virada": A Delicious Twist on a Classic

This recipe for Brazilian Cueca Virada, Calzones Rotos, or Beignets is a classic Brazilian Dish that is simple to make and always a crowd-pleaser.

The ingredients are basic: flour, sugar, baking powder, and milk or water. The dough is then shaped into bow ties, deep-fried in oil, and covered in a cinnamon-sugar blend.

How to Make Cueca Virada 

Note: The full instructions are provided in the recipe card below.

Add the flour, salt, baking powder, and sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook; stir to combine. Whisk the eggs, milk, vinegar, and vanilla in a liquid measuring cup until well combined.

Add the shortening and gradually pour in the milk mixture. Knead at medium speed until smooth, and the mixture forms a ball, leaves the sides of the bowl, and climbs up the dough hook for about 5 minutes.

Remove the dough from the bowl. Using your hands, form the dough into a smooth ball. Lightly oil a bowl. Place the dough in the bowl and turn it to oil on all sides. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rest for 15 minutes.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll out the dough to ¼ inch thick. Then, cut the dough into 2-by-3-inch strips.

Cut a 1-inch slit lengthwise in the center of each strip; insert one end of the strip into the opening, pull through, and twist to make a bow tie shape. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Set a rack on another baking sheet.

In a small bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon to coat cueca virada; set aside. Heat 3 inches of peanut oil in a large saucepan (ensure plenty of room as the cueca virada will puff up when cooked) until a deep-fry thermometer registers 350 degrees F.

Working in batches of 3 to 4, fry the cueca virada, turn them in the oil while they fry to brown evenly on both sides, until golden brown and puffy, 3 minutes. Transfer to the rack with a slotted spoon; toss the cinnamon sugar blend while still warm.

Cueca Virada is best served warm.

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Recipe

Easy Cueca Virada

by Camila Benitez

This recipe for Brazilian Cueca Virada, Calzones Rotos, or Beignets is a classic Brazilian Dish that is simple to make and always a crowd-pleaser. The ingredients are basic - flour, sugar, baking powder, and milk or water. It is then shaped into bow ties, deep-fried in oil, and covered in a cinnamon sugar blend.

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Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Breakfast, Dessert

Cuisine Brazilian

Servings 24

Calories 250 kcal

Equipment

• Stand Mixer
• Liquid measuring cup
• Pizza Cutter
• Sheet tray
• Deep-frying thermometer
• Slotted spoon

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

For the Brazilian beignets "Cueca Virada."

• ▢ 614 g all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled.
• ▢ 50 g (4 tablespoons) vegetable shortening , such as Crisco or unsalted butter, softened or any neutral-flavored oil
• ▢ 110 ml whole milk, orange juice or water , room temperature
• ▢ ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ▢ 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
• ▢ 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• ▢ 3 large eggs , room temperature
• ▢ 180 g granulated sugar
• ▢ ½ tablespoon baking powder

For the Sugar & Cinnamon Coating:

• ▢ 1 tablespoon cinnamon powder
• ▢ ½ cup granulated sugar
• ▢ Peanut oil or Canola oil for frying

Instructions

 

• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, add the flour, salt, baking powder, and sugar; stir to combine.
• In a liquid measuring cup, whisk the eggs, milk, vinegar, and vanilla until well combined. Add the shortening and gradually pour in the milk mixture and knead at medium speed until smooth and the mixture forms a ball, leaves the sides of the bowl, and climbs up the dough hook, about 5 minutes.
• Remove the dough from the bowl. Using your hands, form the dough into a smooth ball. Lightly oil a bowl. Place the dough in the bowl and turn it to oil on all sides. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rest for 15 minutes.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll out the dough to ¼ inch thick. Then, cut the dough into 2-by-3-inch strips. Cut a 1-inch slit lengthwise in the center of each strip; insert one end of the strip into the opening, pull through, and twist to make a bow tie shape. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Set a rack on another baking sheet.
• In a small bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon to coat cueca virada; set aside. Heat 3 inches of peanut oil in a large saucepan (you want to make sure there is plenty of room as the cueca virada will puff up when cooked) until a deep-fry thermometer registers 350 degrees F.
• Working in batches of 3 to 4, fry the cueca virada, turn them in the oil while they fry to brown evenly on both sides, until golden brown and puffy, 3 minutes. Transfer to the rack with a slotted spoon ; toss in the cinnamon sugar blend while still warm. Cueca Virada are best served warm.

Notes

How to Store & Re-Heat

To store: Let them cool to room temperature, and place them in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. You can keep them at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.

To reheat: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and place the beignets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake them for 5-7 minutes or until they are heated and crispy.

Alternatively, you can microwave the beignets on high power for 10-15 seconds, but this method may result in a softer texture. Avoid reheating the beignets in the microwave for too long, as they may become tough and chewy. Reheated Cueca Virada can be enjoyed alone or with your favorite dipping sauce.

Make-Ahead

Cueca Virada can be made and stored in the freezer for later use. After frying the beignets, let them cool to room temperature and place them in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze the beignets until they are firm, then transfer them to a resealable plastic bag or an airtight container. The beignets can be stored in the freezer for up to a month. To reheat frozen Cueca Virada, preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and place the beignets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake them for 10-12 minutes or until they are heated and crispy.

You can also reheat the beignets in the microwave for 20-30 seconds on high power, but this method may result in a softer texture. Reheated Cueca Virada can be enjoyed as is or coated in the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Making Cueca Virada ahead of time and freezing them is a great way to have a delicious snack or dessert on hand whenever you want it.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Easy Cueca Virada

Amount per Serving

Calories

250

% Daily Value*

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition Disclaimer: The nutritional information provided is an estimate, calculated using standard data sources. Actual values may vary based on ingredient brands, preparation methods, and portion sizes. This information is for general reference only and should not be considered a substitute for professional dietary advice.