Italian Zeppoles

A Zeppole is an Italian pastry consisting of a deep-fried dough balls - typically about 4 inches in diameter .. dusted (or shaken in a paper bag) with powder sugar!

Makes 15 to 18 zeppoles

This dough is very wet and sticky.
Zeppoles are best served warm.

 

 

Ingredients

• 1 1/3 cups (6 2/3 ounces) all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons instant or rapid-rise yeast
• 1 teaspoon baking powder (aluminum free)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup warm water (110 degrees)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (good quality for best results)
• 2 quarts peanut or vegetable oil
• Confectioners' sugar

Instructions

1. Combine flour, granulated sugar, yeast, baking powder, and salt in large bowl. Whisk water and vanilla into flour mixture until fully combined. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and let rise at room temperature until doubled in size, 15 to 25 minutes. If you own a 4-cup liquid measuring pitcher/bowl, you can combine the batter in it to make it easier to tell when it has doubled in volume.

2. Set wire rack in rimmed baking sheet and line rack with triple layer of paper towels. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 200 degrees. Add oil to large Dutch oven until it measures about 1 1/2 inches deep and heat over medium-high heat to 350 degrees.

3. Using greased tablespoon measure, add 6 heaping tablespoonfuls of batter to oil. (Use dinner spoon to help scrape batter from tablespoon if necessary.) Fry until golden brown and toothpick inserted in center of zeppole comes out clean, 2 to 3 minutes, flipping once halfway through frying. Adjust burner, if necessary, to maintain oil temperature between 325 and 350 degrees.

4. Using slotted spoon, transfer zeppoles to prepared wire rack; roll briefly so paper towels absorb grease. Transfer sheet to oven to keep warm. Return oil to 350 degrees and repeat twice more with remaining batter. Dust zeppoles with confectioners’ sugar and serve.