Description
Maple Beaver Tails are a classic Canadian treat made of golden, crispy fried dough shaped like a beaver’s tail and topped with a luscious buttery maple glaze. They’re warm, sweet, and perfectly indulgent—bringing fairground nostalgia straight to your kitchen.
Ingredients
2 teaspoons instant yeast
3/4 cup lukewarm water
1/2 cup lukewarm whole milk
1 tablespoon white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
Vegetable oil, for frying
Maple Glaze:
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, browned
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons maple syrup
1/2 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the yeast, water, milk, sugar, and salt.
- Stir in the flour and melted butter until a soft dough forms.
- Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for 6–8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough and divide it into 8–10 pieces. Roll each into an oval about 1/4 inch thick, resembling a beaver tail.
- Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil in a deep skillet to 350°F (175°C).
- Fry each dough piece for 1–2 minutes per side until golden brown, then drain on paper towels.
- Meanwhile, make the glaze: in a small saucepan, brown the butter, then whisk in vanilla extract, maple syrup, and powdered sugar until smooth.
- Brush or drizzle the warm glaze over the fried dough and serve immediately.
Notes
Best enjoyed fresh, but can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5–7 minutes to restore crispness.
For a classic version, dust with cinnamon sugar instead of glaze.
Try different glazes such as chocolate, lemon, or cinnamon for variety.
Dough can be made ahead and refrigerated overnight or frozen after the first rise.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes (including rising time)
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Fried
- Cuisine: Canadian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 beaver tail
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 11g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
