
A historical dessert from The White House cook book; a comprehensive cyclopedia of information for the home .. (1913). Sweet wine sauce poured over them is very nice.
Preserved exactly as written in the original source
Take slices of stale bread cut in rounds or stale cake
fry them in hot lard, like crullers, to a light brown
0 notes
Sign in to share your thoughts and connect with the community
Sign In to CommentLoading notes...
Dip each slice when fried in boiling milk, to remove the grease
drain quickly
dust with powdered sugar or spread with preserves
Pile on a hot plate and serve
Modern guidance to help you succeed with this vintage recipe
Frying stale bread capitalizes on its lower moisture content, which allows for better crust formation and less oil absorption than fresh bread. The quick milk dip uses thermal shock to help release surface grease through emulsification—the milk's proteins and fats bind with the cooking oil, carrying it away when drained. The stale bread's firm structure prevents it from disintegrating during this double-dip process, while its dry interior soaks up the milk like a sponge, creating a crispy exterior with a tender, custard-like center.
The bread rounds can be cut up to 24 hours ahead and left uncovered at room temperature to ensure maximum staleness. However, these fritters are best served immediately after frying and cannot be successfully prepared ahead.
These fritters do not store well and will lose their textural contrast within an hour. If you must hold them briefly, place on a wire rack in a 200°F oven for up to 15 minutes, though quality will decline. Do not refrigerate as they will become unpalatably soggy.
AI-generated tips from Chef Cecil's culinary database
The bread rounds can be cut up to 24 hours ahead and left uncovered at room temperature to ensure maximum staleness. However, these fritters are best served immediately after frying and cannot be successfully prepared ahead.
These fritters do not store well and will lose their textural contrast within an hour. If you must hold them briefly, place on a wire rack in a 200°F oven for up to 15 minutes, though quality will decline. Do not refrigerate as they will become unpalatably soggy.