Spring is Springing

There is Spring in the air!

Long sunny, cold, and crisp days

are such a welcome after the deep freezes of January and February!

The maple trees are tapped and the sap is running,
Maple Syrup production is in full swing in these parts!

Next Saturday, March 28th, is the annual famous

Elmira Maple Syrup Festival.

What a "sweet" day that is .....

It's that time of year when my mother always

made her delicious "Fetkucha" to dip into that golden syrup.

I made a half batch because I was so hungry for this treat

(even though it is NOT on my plan to eat leaner - ugh!)

But I did make a half batch after-all .....

This is a very old recipe that was handed down to my mom

from her aunt Maria.

My sister, Evelyn, has adapted/perfected the recipe

and I followed her instructions.

Mom’s Doughnuts (Fetkucha)

This recipe makes approx. 3 doz. medium sized "donuts".

2 eggs – beaten in large bowl

¾ cup brown sugar

1 cup sour cream - (Evelyn uses 1 Cup Whipping Cream mixed with 1 Tbsp. vinegar)

1 cup butter milk - (Evelyn uses 1 Cup Milk mixed with 1 Tbsp. vinegar) - I actually had some buttermilk so I used that instead.

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. baking powder - heaping

¼ tsp. cream of tartar

1 tsp. salt

4 – 5 Cups flour (enough to make a soft dough - not too stiff).

Dump dough onto floured counter and pat down/roll to about  ¼“  thick (do not overwork dough).

Tip: Chill before rolling out (Evelyn never chills it).

Cut into approx. 3” X 2” rectangles or diamonds with a slit in the middle.  Mom used a fluted pastry cutter wheel to cut these shapes.

Deep fry in ½ - 3/4" of oil/fat until browned, turning once.  Evelyn used her electric fry pan and so did I.  Drain on a cooling rack placed on a cookie sheet.

Mom used her big deep cast iron pan and made sure no “little ones” were running around because of the danger of the hot fat splattering or being spilled.

By the way, my sister Evelyn is a fantastic cook

and her married name is Cook - how about that!

I have 3 sisters and they are all amazing cooks. 

We learned so much from our dear mom - if only I had paid more attention

to some of the details - but that's another story.

These "maple syrup donuts" are delicious dunked into that

sweet syrup and when they have large bubble holes - even better

because you can spoon the syrup right into the holes before taking a bite.

A delicious, once a year, sweet treat!!

Maple syrup is a favourite for pancakes, served on ice-cream,

baked on salmon, sweetener in baking, and so much more.

A true sign that Spring is Springing!

Till next time ........... I hope that Spring has Sprung where you are?