Indulge in the ultimate Italian treat with these Authentic Italian Bomboloni, delicate doughnuts rolled in sugar and generously filled with crema pasticciera (Italian pastry cream). These bomboloni are incredibly light, airy, and bursting with flavor, making them the perfect breakfast or dessert. Whether enjoyed alongside a cappuccino or as a sweet indulgence, these doughnuts are a taste of Italy you won’t forget!
Ingredients:
- Bread Flour: 3 cups (all-purpose flour works too)
- Fast-Acting Dry Yeast: 2 ¼ teaspoons
- Salt: 2 teaspoons
- Granulated Sugar: ¼ cup + more for coating
- Lemon: 1 (zested)
- Eggs: 2 (lightly beaten)
- Whole Milk: ¾ cup
- Softened Butter: ½ stick (about 4 tablespoons)
- Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon
- Vegetable Oil: for frying
- Filling Options: crema pasticciera, chocolate-hazelnut spread, or jam
Preparation:
1. In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine the flour, yeast, salt, sugar, and lemon zest. Add the eggs, milk, butter, and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined. Knead the dough in the stand mixer for 2 minutes or by hand on a floured surface for 5 minutes, until smooth and elastic but still slightly sticky. Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
2. Roll out the dough with a rolling pin to about ¾ inch thickness. Using a round cookie cutter, cut the dough into circles the size of a cup. Place the dough circles on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise for another hour.
3. Heat vegetable oil in a large, deep pan to 350°F (175°C). Fry the bomboloni in batches, turning halfway through, until golden brown, about 4-5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Immediately roll the bomboloni in granulated sugar until fully coated.
4. Spoon your favorite filling into a piping bag fitted with a medium nozzle. Make a small hole in the side of each bomboloni, insert the nozzle, and fill with crema pasticciera or your chosen filling. Serve warm and enjoy!
Buon appetito!
