Zeppole
Light, fluffy Italian fried pastry puffs dusted with powdered sugar and often filled with pastry cream. A classic treat from Naples, perfect for celebrations or as a sweet indulgence.
- Total time
- 45 min
- Servings
- 12
- Calories
- 215
- Protein
- 4g
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup butter
- 1.25 cups all-purpose flour
- 4 whole eggs
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 quarts vegetable oil
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup whole milk
- 4 whole egg yolks
- ½ cup sugar
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- 1
Combine water and butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat.
- 2
Stir in flour and salt until a thick dough forms. Cool for 5 minutes.
- 3
Beat in eggs one at a time, stirring vigorously after each addition until fully incorporated. Stir in vanilla extract.
- 4
Transfer dough to a piping bag fitted with a large round tip.
- 5
Heat milk in a saucepan until steaming. Whisk together egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch in a bowl.
- 6
Slowly pour hot milk into egg mixture while whisking constantly to prevent curdling.
- 7
Return mixture to saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened (about 3 minutes). Stir in vanilla and cool.
- 8
Heat oil to 375°F (190°C) in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot. Use a thermometer to monitor temperature.
- 9
Pipe 2-inch lengths of dough directly into hot oil, using scissors to cut. Fry 4-5 zeppole at a time to avoid overcrowding.
- 10
Fry for 1-2 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
- 11
Mix powdered sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl. Toss warm zeppole in the mixture to coat evenly.
- 12
If filling, use a pastry bag to inject cooled pastry cream into the center of each zeppole. Serve immediately.
Tools you’ll need
- medium saucepan
- piping bag with large round tip
- deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot (4-quart)
- candy/deep-fry thermometer
- slotted spoon
- paper towels
- shallow bowl
- whisk
- scissors or piping bag coupler
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