In a large mixing bowl, stir together the yeast, warm water and pinch of sugar.

Allow to stand a couple of minutes to allow yeast to swell or dissolve.

Stir in remaining sugar, milk, vanilla, eggs, oil, salt, and the flour to make a soft dough.

Knead by hand or with a dough hook for 5 minutes, adding flour as needed to form a firm, smooth, elastic dough.

Place in a greased bowl. Place bowl in a plastic bag and seal. If not using the dough right away, you can refrigerate it.

Let rise in a covered and lightly greased bowl about 30-45 minutes.

Gently deflate dough. If dough is coming out of the fridge, allow to warm up for about 40 minutes before proceeding.

Take a piece of dough the size of a golf ball and roll out into an oval.

Before putting in oil, stretch the ovals into a tail shape, thinning them out and enlarging them, like a beaver’s tail.

Add 1-2 dough pieces at a time to the hot oil.

Turn once to fry until the undersides are dark brown.

Lift the tails out with tongs and drain on paper towels.

Fill a large flat bowl with a 2 cups of white sugar.

Put the tails in sugar with a little cinnamon and shake off excess.

You can add jam, Nutella or a few drops of lemon juice!