Mini Zeppoles Recipes

Steps:

• Cut open the vanilla bean lengthwise. Using the back of a knife, scrape along the inside of the vanilla bean to collect the seeds. Scrape vanilla bean seeds into a small bowl. Add the 1/2 cup sugar and cinnamon and stir to combine. Set aside.
• In a medium saucepan combine the butter, salt, 3 tablespoons of sugar, and water over medium heat. Bring to a boil. Take pan off the heat and stir in the flour. Return pan to the heat and stir continuously until mixture forms a ball, about 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer the flour mixture to a medium bowl. Using an electric hand mixer on low speed, add eggs, 1 at a time, incorporating each egg completely before adding the next. Beat until smooth. If not frying immediately, cover with plastic wrap and reserve in the refrigerator.
• Meanwhile, pour enough oil into a large frying pan to reach a depth of 2 inches. Heat the oil over medium heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 375 degrees F.
• Using a small ice-cream scooper or 2 small spoons, carefully drop about a tablespoon of the dough into the hot olive oil, frying in batches. Turn the zeppole once or twice, cooking until golden and puffed up, about 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Toss with cinnamon-sugar. Arrange on a platter and serve immediately.

Steps:

• Combine the butter with 1 cup of water in a saucepan. Heat over medium until the butter melts and the water shimmers. Sift the flour into the melted butter and water. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until the dough comes together (it will be the consistency of a cookie dough). Transfer the dough to a bowl and refrigerate for 20 minutes. Using a wooden spoon, beat the eggs into the dough 1 at a time.
• Spoon the dough into a pastry bag. Pipe circles (the size is up to you) onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Set the zeppole aside to rise in a warm place for at least 1 hour.
• In a heavy high-sided pot heat 2-inches of oil over medium-high until it reaches 350 degrees F. Drop 2 or 3 zeppole into the oil and fry until crisp and golden, about 4 minutes per side. Drain the zeppole on a plate lined with paper towels and repeat, until all the zeppole are fried.
• When the zeppole are just cool enough to handle, roll them in sugar. Serve the zeppole warm topped with honey, if desired.

Steps:

• Cut pizza dough into 1 inch pieces. Roll into balls. Deep fry in oil at 350 degrees until golden or about 5 minutes. Drain on a paper towel lined plate. Sprinkle generously with powdered sugar. You could easily change it by rolling in cinnamon sugar or dipping in thinned canned frosting.

Steps:

• Heat oil in a deep-fryer to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• In a medium saucepan, combine the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Stir in the eggs, ricotta cheese and vanilla. Mix gently over low heat until combined. Batter will be sticky.
• Drop by tablespoons into the hot oil a few at a time. Zeppole will turn over by themselves. Fry until golden brown, about 3 or 4 minutes. Drain in a paper sack and dust with confectioners' sugar. Serve warm.