Looking for the ultimate recipe for Uruguayan tortas fritas? Here we have it… this is one of the best comfort foods in South America!
Tortas fritas (fried cakes) are a fried sweet dough sprinkled with sugar, for the ultimate afternoon indulgence in Uruguay and Argentina — often enjoyed with mate! Tortas fritas are usually circular shape, around 12-15 cm in diameter, and some recipes have a small hole in the center. Some people prefer their torta frita to be thin and crispy while others will make it thicker and spongy — it’s very much down to your taste.
In Uruguay in particular, there is a tradition of making and eating tortas fritas on rainy days… Hence why it is one of the nation’s great comfort foods! Although these are indulgent enough, you can also add jam or dulce de leche to take it up a notch in the comfort factor.
Tortas fritas recipe
For 20 tortas fritas
Dough
- 8 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
- 1½ tablespoon of active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1 teaspoon of sugar
- 4 tablespoons of melted butter or lard
- Warm water, about 150 ml
Other ingredients
- Butter, lard, or oil (for frying)
- Sugar or powdered sugar (to sprinkle on top)
Making tortas fritas dough
Add the flour after sifting into a large bowl and make a hollow, or well, in the center. Mix the dry yeast and the sugar, and add them to the center of the well. Warm your water (not to boiling, just warm) and pour 150 ml of water over the yeast and sugar, and let stand for 20 minutes to allow the yeast to activate.