St. Joseph's Zeppole

Name: St. Joseph's Zeppole
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 75 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 cup water; 4 tbsp unsalted butter, cubed; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 tsp fine sea salt; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 4 large eggs; 2 cups whole milk; 4 large egg yolks; 1/4 cup cornstarch; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 4 cups vegetable oil; 1/4 cup powdered sugar; 8 Amarena cherries, drained

Crispy fried choux pastry rings filled with vanilla pastry cream and topped with dark amarena cherries.

75 minMediumServes 8380 cal/serving

ItalianDessertStovetopVegetarianKosher-styleNut-FreeSoy-FreeShellfish-FreeSesame-FreeLow-SodiumPork-FreeNightshade-Free

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Ingredients

1 cup water
4 tbsp unsalted butter, cubed
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 tsp fine sea salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
4 large eggs
2 cups whole milk
4 large egg yolks
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 cups vegetable oil
1/4 cup powdered sugar
8 Amarena cherries, drained

Instructions

1

Whisk 2 cups whole milk, 4 large egg yolks, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and 1/4 cup cornstarch in a saucepan over medium heat until thickened into a smooth pastry cream.
2

Stir in 1 tsp vanilla extract, cover with plastic wrap touching the surface, and chill in the refrigerator.
3

Combine 1 cup water, 4 tbsp cubed unsalted butter, and 1/2 tsp fine sea salt in a pot, bringing to a boil over medium heat.
4

Stir in 1 cup all-purpose flour vigorously until a smooth dough ball forms and pulls away from the sides.
5

Remove from heat, cool slightly, then beat in 4 large eggs one at a time until glossy and pipeable.
6

Pipe dough into 3-inch rings onto squares of parchment paper.
7

Heat 4 cups vegetable oil to 350 degrees F in a deep pot, then drop in the dough rings on paper, removing paper with tongs as it releases.
8

Fry until golden brown on both sides, then drain on paper towels and cool completely.
9

Pipe chilled pastry cream onto each fried pastry, top with 8 drained Amarena cherries, and dust with 1/4 cup powdered sugar.

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Questions

What is St. Joseph's Zeppole?

Crispy fried choux pastry rings filled with vanilla pastry cream and topped with dark amarena cherries. This reference files it under Italian dessert: made on the stovetop, rated medium and about 75 minutes start to finish.

How hot should the oil be for St. Joseph's Zeppole?

For St. Joseph's Zeppole, the frying oil is held at 350 F (about 175 C) in step 7. Hotter scorches the outside before the inside cooks, and cooler turns it greasy.

What can I use instead of powdered sugar in St. Joseph's Zeppole?

The entry for St. Joseph's Zeppole calls for 1/4 cup powdered sugar. In its place: Blend granulated sugar with a teaspoon of cornstarch per cup until fine.

Can I make St. Joseph's Zeppole dairy-free?

Yes. The dairy in St. Joseph's Zeppole is 4 tbsp unsalted butter, cubed, 2 cups whole milk. Swap the butter for olive oil where it melts, or a plant-based block butter where it is creamed; the milk for unsweetened oat or soy milk. The richness shifts slightly, but the method does not change.

Does St. Joseph's Zeppole contain eggs?

Yes: 4 large eggs and 4 large egg yolks. The full allergen list for this entry is gluten, dairy and eggs. Packaged ingredients vary by brand, so check labels if the allergy is serious.

Serve it with

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