Despite the playful name, ástarpungar are serious comfort food — deep-fried cardamom dough with raisins, beloved with afternoon coffee.
Ingredients
- 500g flour, 200g sugar, 4 tsp baking powder, ½ tsp salt, 2 tsp cardamom
- 3 eggs, 300ml milk, 50g melted butter, 150g raisins
- Neutral oil for frying
Preparation
- Whisk dry ingredients. Beat eggs with milk and butter, then combine to a thick sticky batter. Fold in raisins.
- Heat oil to 175°C (350°F). Dip two spoons in hot oil to prevent sticking.
- Drop walnut-sized balls into oil, 4–5 at a time. Fry 4–5 minutes until deep golden, turning as needed.
- Drain on a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Chef's tips
- Oil temperature is everything — too hot burns the outside; too cool makes them greasy.
- Oiled spoons make shaping effortless.
About Icelandic MAT Kitchen
Traditional Icelandic recipes tested in home kitchens — from lamb soup to kleinur.