Craving BeaverTails®, eh? Here's how to make one of Canada's favorite pastries

As we all continue social distancing and staying home as often as possible, there are two things we can be sure of: The desire for comfort foods at an all-time high, and you’ve probably been baking more bread than you can eat. Until we can get out and about to enjoy all of our favourite spots, why not take some of that bread dough you’ve got and wrap yourself in the warm embrace of freshly made BeaverTails® pastry? 

A popular pastry in Canada and abroad, BeaverTails® are hand-stretched, fried pastries that are served piping hot with a range of toppings, from a classic Killaloe Sunrise with cinnamon, sugar and a slice of lemon to chocolate spreads or vanilla icing and breakfast cereals.

BeaverTails® started in Killaloe, Ontario in 1978 and now operates 150 locations in six countries: Canada, the United States, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, France and Japan. 

Here’s how you can make a home version with a recipe coming straight from the company’s own Research and Development chef Audrey Laferrière, using either the dough from bread you make at home or using pre-made pizza or bread dough from the store.

These are best devoured warm. Enjoy at home and stay safe, eh!

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Bread or pizza dough, homemade or store-bought
• A deep, heavy-bottom pot or fryer
• Vegetable oil
• Salted butter for brushing
• Toppings (see below the recipe) 

Instructions:

1. Put on a plaid shirt and wash your hands!
2. Divide and shape your dough into the size of hockey pucks (that’s right, plural! You’re going to want to eat more than one and your self-isolation buddies will definitely want some too!). Three to six should do the trick.
3. Fold each puck in half, roll into a ball, cover loosely and proof at room temperature for 30 minutes.
4. When your pucks have proofed, preheat vegetable oil in a fryer (or deep heavy bottom pot) to 370°F.
5. Similar to stretching pizza dough, start stretching the outside of the puck, working your way around the edge. Then gently pull and stretch until the puck is the shape and size of a beaver’s tail.
6. Slowly place the dough in the hot oil, releasing it away from you.
7. Flip often using tongs until lightly golden brown.
8. Take it out and put it onto a plate lined with a paper towel.
9. Repeat steps 3-6 for remaining pucks.
10. Dress it up! Melt salted butter and brush it onto the fried pastries

Use tasty toppings that you have in your fridge and cupboard to make a truly custom BeaverTails-inspired pastry, or follow these suggestions for some of our crave-worthy favourites!

The "Killaloe Sunrise"

1. Mix equal parts cinnamon and sugar in a wide shallow dish
2. Dredge the buttered pastry in the cinnamon sugar mix
3. Squeeze on juice from a lemon wedge

The "Bananarama"

1. Brush on warm chocolate hazelnut spread
2. Top with 8 banana slices
3. Sprinkle on icing sugar

The "Triple Trip"

1. Brush on warm chocolate hazelnut spread
2. Sprinkle some Reese’s pieces candy
3. Drizzle warm peanut butter

Follow BeaverTails® on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter. Check out their website for more ideas on how to top your pastries at home or visit their retail shop for some merch.