What are Maritozzi?
Maritozzi are traditional Italian sweet buns that are typically enjoyed for breakfast or as a midday snack. They are made from a rich, buttery dough infused with hints of orange zest and filled with a sweet whipped cream called “panna.” These buns are often topped with powdered sugar and are guaranteed to satisfy any sweet tooth.
Ingredients
Before you start baking, make sure you have the following ingredients:
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- ½ cup lukewarm milk
- 1 cup whipped cream (panna)
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
Now that you have all the necessary ingredients, let’s dive into the step-by-step instructions for making maritozzi:
- In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast and a pinch of sugar in the lukewarm milk. Let it sit for about 10 minutes until frothy.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Create a well in the center.
- Add the frothy yeast mixture, eggs, butter, and orange zest into the well of the dry ingredients.
- Using a wooden spoon or your hands, mix all the ingredients together until a sticky dough forms.
- Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead it for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours until it doubles in size.
- Punch down the dough to release any air bubbles and divide it into 6 equal-sized balls.
- Place the balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, cover them with a towel, and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Bake the maritozzi for 15-20 minutes or until they turn golden brown.
- Once the buns are cooled, cut a slit in the top of each maritozzo and generously fill them with whipped cream.
- Dust the maritozzi with powdered sugar and serve.
- Enjoy your homemade maritozzi with a cup of coffee or tea!
Tips and Variations
Here are some additional tips and variations to help you master the art of making maritozzi:
- For an extra citrusy flavor, you can add a teaspoon of lemon zest along with the orange zest.
- If you want to make your maritozzi even more indulgent, you can add raisins or candied fruit to the dough or sprinkle them on top before baking.
- Instead of whipped cream, you can also fill the buns with Nutella or your favorite jam.
- These buns are best enjoyed on the day they are made, but you can store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to two days.
Now that you have all the information you need, it’s time to whip up a batch of these delectable Italian sweet buns. Impress your family and friends with your newfound baking skills and indulge in the irresistible taste of homemade maritozzi. Buon appetito!