Peanut Butter Candy Filled Zeppole Recipes

ZEPPOLE RECIPE (EASY ITALIAN DONUTS)

Steps:

• In a large 3-quart saucepan, combine water, milk, butter, granulated sugar, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring frequently.
• Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup flour all at once using a wooden spoon. Once incorporated, place the saucepan back over medium heat and stir constantly for another 1 1/2 to 2 minutes to release extra moisture and partially cook the flour. The dough will look smooth and a thin film will form on the bottom of the pan.
• Transfer the dough to a large mixing bowl and use an electric mixer to beat on medium speed for 1 minute to cool the mixture slightly. Add 4 eggs, adding them 1 at a time and allowing eggs to fully incorporate between each addition. Once all eggs are incorporated, beat another minute until the dough is smooth and forms a thick ribbon when you pull up on the whisk.
• Transfer dough to a piping bag with a 1/2-inch opening, or use a large zip bag and cut a 1/2-inch opening at the tip.
• Heat oil to 375˚F in a dutch oven with a thermometer attached, or in a deep fryer. Once oil is hot, pipe 1-inch lengths into the hot oil, swiftly cutting the dough as you pipe into the oil. Pipe closer to the surface of the oil to avoid oil splashes.
• Fry 4-5 minutes total, turning them over halfway if they don't turn on their own then transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate to soak up extra oil then dust with powdered sugar to serve.

MASHED POTATO ZEPPOLE

Steps:

• Puree the cranberry sauce with the nutmeg and lemon zest in a food processor. Reserve.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the mashed potatoes, milk, 1/2 cup sugar, melted butter, vanilla, cinnamon and eggs until smooth. Add the flour, baking powder and salt and stir with a rubber spatula until just combined. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Heat 2 inches of oil in a heavy-bottomed pan until it reaches 350 degrees F. Place the remaining 1/2 cup sugar in a shallow bowl.
• With a 1-tablespoon scoop, carefully drop the batter into the hot oil; work in batches to avoid crowding the pan. Fry until deep golden brown and cooked through, about 2 minutes per side, turning with a slotted spoon. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate to drain for a few seconds, then roll in the sugar.
• Serve with the cranberry dipping sauce.

COFFEE-GLAZED ITALIAN DOUGHNUTS (ZEPPOLE)

Steps:

• For the doughnuts: In a medium saucepan, combine the butter, water, sugar, and salt over medium heat. Bring to a rolling boil, stirring occasionally. Boil for 10 seconds. Remove the pan from the heat and add the flour. Using a wooded spoon, quickly stir the mixture until all the flour is fully incorporated and forms a thick dough. Return the pan to the heat and stir continuously for 2 minutes. Scrape the mixture into a stand mixture fitted with a paddle attachment. With the machine running on medium speed, add the eggs and egg yolk, 1 at a time until fully incorporated. Beat the mixture for 4 to 5 minutes until thick and glossy. Add the lemon zest and beat until smooth. Refrigerate the dough for 15 minutes.
• For the glaze: In a medium bowl, whisk together the cream, coffee liqueur, and espresso powder until smooth. With a wooden spoon, gradually stir in the powdered sugar until smooth. If the glaze is too thick, stir in the water, 1/4 teaspoon at a time.
• In a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, pour in enough oil to fill the pan about a third of the way. Heat over medium heat until a deep-frying thermometer inserted in the oil reaches 375 degrees F. (If you don't have a thermometer a cube of bread will brown in a couple of minutes.)
• Using a small ice cream scoop or 2 small spoons, carefully drop scoops (about 1 tablespoon) of the dough into the oil. (Do not crowd the pan,) Cook for 3 to 3 1/2 minutes, turning occasionally, until the zeppole are golden and puffed. Drain on paper towels. Repeat until all of the dough has been used. When the zeppole is cool enough to handle, dip the top halves in the glaze.
• Using a hand grater, grate the chocolate, if using, over serving plates. Place 3 to 4 zeppole on each plate and garnish with fresh raspberries, if using. Serve immediately.

DARK CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER CANDIES

Steps:

• PLACE paper liners on a baking sheet.
• COMBINE peanut butter, sugar and butter in small bowl until well blended. If mixture is very soft, mix in an additional tablespoon of sugar. Shape peanut butter mixture into 30 1/2- to 3/4-inch balls flattening slightly.
• MELT morsels and shortening in medium, uncovered, microwave-safe bowl on MEDIUM-HIGH (70%) power for 1 minute; STIR. Morsels may retain some of their shape. If necessary, microwave at additional 10- to 15-second intervals, stirring just until melted. Spoon 1 measuring teaspoon of melted morsels into each cup. Place peanut butter filling onto top of melted morsels. Top each with a measuring half teaspoon of melted morsels. Sprinkle with a few grains of sea salt. Refrigerate for 20 minutes or until firm. Store in covered container in refrigerator.
• TIP: To keep melted chocolate warm, place bowl on top of smaller bowl filled with very warm water. Do not allow water to touch bottom of bowl or allow water to get into chocolate.

ZEPPOLE

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.

PEANUT BUTTER CANDY

Steps:

• Butter an 8x8x2 inch square pan. Set aside.
• In a 2 quart saucepan with a candy thermometer inserted, cook sugar, light corn syrup, milk, and salt, until thermometer reads 234 degrees F (112 degrees C). Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and peanut butter.
• Put peanut butter mixture in a large mixing bowl and beat until mixture begins to thicken. Pour into prepared pan. Chill until completely cooled. Cut into squares.

ELDA'S FAMOUS ZEPPOLE

Steps:

• Stir together the sugar and cinnamon and set aside.
• Combine the milk, salt and butter with 1 quart water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, and then quickly remove from the heat and stir in the flours until smooth. If not frying immediately, cover with plastic wrap and reserve in the refrigerator.
• Pour 2 inches of olive oil into a frying pan and heat over medium heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 375 degrees F. Roll out the dough into thin strips and shape as you like, and then carefully fry in batches. Turn the zeppole once when golden and puffed, and then drain on paper towels. Dip in the honey and dredge in the cinnamon-sugar. Arrange on a platter, garnish with the lemon zest and serve immediately.

ZEPPOLE

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.

PEANUT BUTTER CUP CANDY FILLING

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients until blended to a creamy consistency.