Italian Castagnole: Sweet Carnival Pastries

Italian Castagnole: Sweet Carnival Pastries

Immerse yourself in the joyous spirit of the Italian Carnival with these delightful Castagnole pastries. These enchanting, bite-sized pastries are reminiscent of warm Italian kitchens drenched in the sweet aroma of vanilla and rum. They are fried to a golden perfection, dusted with a soft snowfall of powdered sugar, and often come with a heartwarming surprise of custard or jam waiting inside.

Servings: 30 pastries

Ingredients

  • All-purpose flour (2 cups)
  • Granulated sugar (1/2 cup)
  • Baking powder (1 teaspoon)
  • Salt (1/4 teaspoon)
  • Eggs (2)
  • Unsalted butter (3 tablespoons, melted)
  • Lemon zest (1 tablespoon)
  • Rum (2 tablespoons)
  • Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon)
  • Vegetable oil (for frying)
  • Powdered sugar (for dusting)

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt.
  2. In a separate bowl, beat together the eggs, melted unsalted butter, lemon zest, rum, and vanilla extract.
  3. Slowly add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring gently until a soft dough forms.
  4. Shape the dough into small balls, about the size of a chestnut.
  5. Heat the vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 375°F (190°C).
  6. Fry the dough balls in the hot oil in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pot. Fry until they are a beautiful golden brown, which should take about 2-3 minutes.
  7. Using a slotted spoon, remove the castagnole from the oil and let them drain on paper towels.
  8. Once cooled, dust the castagnole generously with powdered sugar before serving.

Dietary Information

Servings: 30 pastries • Dish Type: Dessert • Prep Time: 20 minutes • Cook Time: 10 minutes • Calories: 90 • Fat: 4g • Carbs: 11g • Protein: 1g • Sodium: 25mg • Sugar: 5g