Description
These classic Italian bomboloni are soft, golden fried doughnuts filled with luscious pastry cream and dusted with powdered sugar. With a hint of lemon zest and vanilla, they make an indulgent treat for brunch, holidays, or coffee breaks.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
- 3/4 cup warm milk (110°F/45°C)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- 2 cups whole milk (for pastry cream)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for pastry cream)
- 4 egg yolks
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (for pastry cream)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter (for pastry cream)
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and 1 tsp sugar. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, salt, and lemon zest. Add activated yeast mixture, eggs, butter, and vanilla. Mix to form a soft dough.
- Knead dough for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1.5 hours or until doubled.
- Meanwhile, make pastry cream: Heat milk until warm. In a bowl, whisk sugar, egg yolks, and cornstarch. Gradually add warm milk while whisking.
- Return mixture to the pot and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla. Chill.
- Once dough has risen, roll it out to 1/2-inch thickness. Cut into 3-inch circles. Cover and let rise again for 30 minutes.
- Heat oil to 350°F (175°C). Fry bomboloni in batches for about 2 minutes per side until golden. Drain on paper towels.
- Fill each bombolone with pastry cream using a piping bag fitted with a long nozzle.
- Dust with powdered sugar and serve warm.
Notes
- Ensure oil stays at a steady 350°F for even frying.
- Pastry cream can be made ahead and chilled until ready to use.
- For variety, try filling with jam, Nutella, or whipped cream.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Fried
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bombolone
- Calories: 285 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 95 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
