Panikeke

Panikeke is a Samoan pancake with a spherical form that resembles small golden balls. Flour, sugar, salt, eggs, milk, and baking powder are the main ingredients. Pancakes are traditionally served with fruit, jams, or whipped cream for breakfast. Panikeke is available in two flavors: plain and flavored with mashed bananas mixed into the dough before cooking.

3 ½ cups all-purpose flour; 1 ⅓ cups white sugar; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 2 very ripe bananas, mashed; 1 tablespoon vanilla extract; 1 ½ cups water; 6 cups vegetable oil for frying

Instruction:

1. Combine the flour, sugar, and baking powder in a bowl until thoroughly mixed, and stir in the bananas, vanilla extract, and water to make a smooth, sticky dough.
2. Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). The oil should be deep enough to completely cover the panikekes while frying, or at last 3 inches deep.
3. Scoop up a scant 1/4 cup of batter with a large spoon, and use another spoon to push it off into the oil. Fry in small batches of 4 or 5 until they float to the top and turn golden brown, about 3 minutes, then flip them to fry the other side. Remove from the fryer and let drain on paper towels.