Maple Beaver Tails

Short Description

Maple Beaver Tails are a delicious Canadian treat featuring deep-fried, hand-stretched dough coated in cinnamon sugar and drizzled with rich maple syrup. Inspired by the famous BeaverTails® pastries, these crispy, golden delights are perfect for a sweet snack or a fun dessert.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside
  • Classic Canadian street food made at home
  • Easy to customize with different toppings
  • Perfect for holidays, fairs, or cozy nights in
  • Pairs beautifully with coffee or hot chocolate

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the Dough:

  • All-purpose flour
  • Warm milk
  • Active dry yeast
  • Granulated sugar
  • Unsalted butter, melted
  • Egg
  • Salt
  • Vanilla extract

For Frying:

  • Vegetable oil (for deep frying)

For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:

  • Granulated sugar
  • Ground cinnamon

For the Topping:

  • Pure maple syrup
  • Powdered sugar (optional)

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

  1. In a small bowl, mix warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
  2. In a large bowl, combine flour and salt.
  3. Add melted butter, egg, vanilla extract, and the yeast mixture. Mix until a dough forms.
  4. Knead the dough for 5–7 minutes until smooth.
  5. Cover and let it rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.

Step 2: Shape the Beaver Tails

  1. Punch down the dough and divide it into equal pieces.
  2. Roll each piece into an oval shape, stretching slightly to resemble a beaver tail.
  3. Place the shaped dough on a floured surface and let it rest for 10 minutes.

Step 3: Fry the Dough

  1. Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Carefully place each piece of dough into the oil and fry for 1–2 minutes per side until golden brown.
  3. Remove and drain on paper towels.

Step 4: Coat and Top

  1. Mix sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl.
  2. While warm, coat each fried beaver tail in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
  3. Drizzle with maple syrup and dust with powdered sugar if desired.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

  1. Serve warm with extra maple syrup or your favorite toppings.

Servings and Timing

  • Servings: 8
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Rise Time: 1 hour
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Variations

  • Chocolate Lover’s: Spread Nutella over the fried dough.
  • S’mores Style: Add melted chocolate, marshmallows, and graham cracker crumbs.
  • Apple Cinnamon: Top with warm apple compote and caramel drizzle.
  • Strawberry Delight: Add fresh strawberries and whipped cream.
  • Savory Twist: Skip the sugar and top with garlic butter and cheese.

Storage/Reheating

  • Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
  • Freezing: Freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat before serving.
  • Reheating: Warm in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 minutes or in an air fryer.

FAQs

What are Beaver Tails?

Beaver Tails are a famous Canadian deep-fried pastry shaped like a beaver’s tail and coated in sweet toppings.

Can I bake instead of frying?

Yes! Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 12–15 minutes, but frying gives the best texture.

What kind of oil should I use for frying?

Vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil work best.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes! Prepare the dough, let it rise, then refrigerate for up to 24 hours before frying.

How do I prevent the dough from being too oily?

Make sure the oil is hot enough (350°F/175°C) before frying, and drain excess oil on paper towels.

Can I use whole wheat flour?

Yes, but the texture will be denser. A mix of whole wheat and all-purpose flour works best.

Can I use instant yeast?

Yes! Use the same amount and skip the proofing step—just mix directly into the flour.

What can I serve with Beaver Tails?

Hot chocolate, coffee, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream make great pairings.

Are Beaver Tails only sweet?

No! You can make savory versions with garlic butter, cheese, or even pizza toppings.

How do I keep Beaver Tails crispy?

Serve immediately after frying or reheat in an air fryer for a crispier texture.

Conclusion

Maple Beaver Tails are a delightful Canadian treat that’s easy to make at home. With a crispy exterior, soft interior, and a rich maple topping, this fun and delicious pastry is perfect for any occasion. Whether you keep it classic with cinnamon sugar or get creative with toppings, these homemade Beaver Tails will be a hit!

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Maple Beaver Tails

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Beaver Tails, or “Queues de Castor,” are a classic Canadian fried pastry, shaped like a beaver’s tail and topped with delicious sweet flavors. This maple-flavored version combines crispy, golden dough with a rich maple glaze for an authentic taste of Canada!

  • Author: Beth
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Chill Time: 1 hour
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
  • Yield: 8 beaver tails 1x
  • Category: Dessert, Snack
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Canadian

Ingredients

Scale

For the Dough:

  • 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
  • ¾ cup warm milk (110°F / 45°C)
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 egg
  • 3 tablespoons melted butter
  • ½ cup warm water
  • 4 cups vegetable oil (for frying)

For the Maple Topping:

  • ½ cup maple syrup
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon melted butter
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
  • ¼ cup crushed pecans (optional, for garnish)


Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough

  1. In a bowl, mix warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
  2. In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, and vanilla.
  3. Add the yeast mixture, warm milk, melted butter, and egg. Mix until a dough forms.
  4. Knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth. Cover and let rise 1 hour (or until doubled in size).

2. Shape the Beaver Tails

  1. Punch down the dough and divide into 8 equal pieces.
  2. Roll each piece into an oval shape (about 8 inches long), like a beaver tail.

3. Fry the Dough

  1. Heat oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Fry each dough piece for 30-45 seconds per side, until golden brown.
  3. Drain on paper towels.

4. Make the Maple Glaze & Coat

  1. In a bowl, whisk together maple syrup, powdered sugar, melted butter, and cinnamon.
  2. Brush warm beaver tails with maple glaze and sprinkle with crushed pecans.

5. Serve & Enjoy!

  1. Serve warm and enjoy with extra maple syrup on the side!

Notes

  • No yeast? Use baking powder (1 tablespoon) for a quick version.
  • Extra toppings? Try cinnamon sugar, Nutella, or whipped cream!
  • For a crispy texture, fry in lard instead of vegetable oil.


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