These fluffy doughnuts are favourites at street fairs in Italy, eaten hastily from paper bags, scattering sugar as you eat. Perfect served with a strong coffee.
Zeppole
Australian Gourmet Traveller Italian dessert recipe for zeppole (doughnuts)
- 20 mins preparation
- 15 mins cooking plus proving
- Serves 24
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Ingredients
- 125 ml (½ cup) pouring cream
- 60 ml (¼ cup) milk
- 225 gm (1½ cups) plain flour
- 1 tbsp dried yeast
- 2 tsp caster sugar
- 1 orange, finely grated rind only
- For deep-frying: vegetable oil
Fennel sugar
- 55 gm (¼ cup) raw sugar
- 1 tbsp fennel seeds, lightly roasted
- 1 tsp orange rind
- 55 gm (¼ cup) caster sugar
Method
Main
- 1For fennel sugar, combine raw sugar, fennel seeds and rind in a mortar, then using a pestle, grind to a fine powder, pass through a coarse sieve, discarding solids, add caster sugar and set aside.
- 2Combine cream and milk in a small saucepan over low heat and warm gently to blood temperature.
- 3Meanwhile, combine flour, yeast, sugar, rind and ½ tsp salt in a bowl, make a well in centre, then add cream mixture and stir to incorporate. Knead dough gently on a lightly floured surface until smooth. Place in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and stand in a warm place until doubled in size (35-40 minutes).
- 4Roll dough into walnut-sized pieces and place on a baking paper-lined tray, cover with a tea towel, stand in a warm place and prove for another 20 minutes.
- 5Heat oil in deep-fryer or deep saucepan to 180C. Fry doughnuts in batches until golden and crisp (3-4 minutes). Drain on absorbent paper. Toss in fennel sugar and serve immediately.