Zeppoli - So Good It May Be A Sin!

So I was at a friend's house and he ordered pizza and as a dessert there was this yummy Italian fried bread called Zeppoli up in there. If you like sopapillas, churros, or doughnuts this is up your alley. So after taking a few bites i decided 3 things.

1. This is the bomb!
2. I think I may have to try and make this myself.
3. 9. I can fit 9 in my mouth at one time!

So the recipe is simple.

1 cup warm water
2 tbs vegetable oil
1 package yeast
3 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1 tbs sugar
at least 1 inch of oil in fryer or electric skillet heated to 375.
cinnamon and sugar or powdered sugar to top

I throw all this in the bread machine and put it on the dough setting in the order listed and then let it go. If you are without a bread machine though you simply dissolve your sugar and yeast into your warm water then add your oil. then mix in the rest of your dry ingredients until a dough forms. knead the dough a few time to get the consistency right (may need to add more water. then place in a greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap and sit it in a warm area to rise until doubled in size.

Then roll it out to 1/4 to 1/3 inch thickness on a floured surface and using a pizza cutter cut it into little 1 inch squares. Then simply take your squares and place them into the heated oil (I do like a dozen at a time) for just a few moments till slightly golden. Now 375 degrees is key because it allows the Zeppoli to puff if it's cooler it will stay flat. then place on paper towels to drain off some excess oil.

Next place some in a bowl of powdered sugar or a cinnamon sugar mixture and swirl um around till coated and your done. Eat um while they still be warm!

Now cooking with yeast may not be your thing. So if you wanted you could pick up some of your favorite refrigerated pizza dough and do THE SAME THING!!!

Until next time ...may The Force be with you.