Homemade Beaver Tails Pastry
Stretched, fried whole-wheat dough tossed in cinnamon sugar with a squeeze of lemon, like the treat from Canadian skating rinks.
About this homemade beaver tails pastry
Stretched, fried dough pastries are a Canadian winter tradition, best known from the Ottawa franchise that opened its first stand in the ByWard Market in 1980 and became a fixture on the Rideau Canal skateway. The idea goes back much further, to fried dough brought by settlers and shared in many communities.
The classic topping is cinnamon sugar with fresh lemon squeezed over. The lemon cuts the sweetness and is the part people remember. Whole wheat flour gives the slightly nutty, chewy texture.
Stretch the dough thin, with the centre thinner than the edges, so it puffs and blisters in the oil.
Ingredients
- ½ cup warm water
- 2 ¼ tsp instant yeast (1 packet)
- ¼ cup sugar, plus a pinch
- ½ cup warm milk
- 1 egg
- ⅓ cup butter, melted
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups whole wheat flour
- 1 L neutral oil, for frying
- ½ cup sugar, for coating
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
- Lemon wedges
Equipment
- Heavy pot
- Thermometer
- Rolling pin
Instructions
Tip: tap Start Cooking for hands-free step mode with built-in timers.
- 1
Stir warm water, yeast and a pinch of sugar together; rest 5 minutes until foamy.
5 min timer - 2
Add milk, egg, butter, ¼ cup sugar and salt. Mix in both flours to make a soft dough. Knead 5 minutes until smooth.
5 min timer - 3
Cover and let rise in a warm spot until doubled, about 1 hour.
60 min timer - 4
Divide into 12 pieces. Roll or stretch each into a thin oval about 15 cm (6 inches) long.
- 5
Heat oil to 180°C (350°F). Fry one or two at a time, about 1 minute per side, until puffed and golden. Drain on paper towel.
1 min timer - 6
Toss hot pastries in cinnamon sugar and serve with lemon wedges for squeezing.
Notes
- BeaverTails® is a registered trademark of BeaverTails Canada Inc. This is an independent homemade version of the classic fried-dough pastry.
Storage
Best eaten fresh.
Freezer
Freeze the risen, shaped dough between parchment up to 1 month; thaw before frying.
Nutrition not calculated. Cook temperatures follow Health Canada guidance where cited.
Homemade Beaver Tails Pastry: common questions
Can I bake these instead of frying?
You can bake them at 200°C (400°F) for 10–12 minutes, brushed with butter, but they'll be more like a soft bread than a crisp pastry.
What toppings go on a beaver tail?
Cinnamon sugar and lemon is the classic. Chocolate hazelnut spread, maple butter and banana are popular too.
Can I make the dough ahead?
Yes. Refrigerate it overnight after kneading, then shape and fry the next day.
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