Il Cucinologo
EN

Baked Cocoa Zeppole

17/11/2023

I can provide you with the recipe to prepare delicious baked cocoa zeppole, a tempting version with a touch of chocolate. Here are the ingredients and the procedure:

Ingredients

  • 150 ml of water
  • 50 g of butter
  • A pinch of salt
  • 10 g of sugar
  • 100 g of 00 flour
  • 2 large eggs
  • 20 g of unsweetened cocoa powder
  • Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)

For the chocolate pastry cream (if you wish to fill them):

  • 250 ml of milk
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 50 g of sugar
  • 20 g of cornstarch (maizena)
  • 30 g of unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 pinch of salt

Preparation

  1. Prepare the zeppole dough by heating the water with the butter, sugar, and a pinch of salt in a saucepan. When the butter has completely melted and the mixture reaches a boil, pour in all the sifted flour and cocoa powder at once, stirring vigorously with a wooden spoon until you obtain a homogeneous dough that pulls away from the sides.
  2. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the dough cool slightly. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well until they are fully incorporated.
  3. Preheat the oven to 180 °C and prepare a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
  4. Transfer the dough to a piping bag with a star tip and form rings on the tray, leaving some space between each zeppola.
  5. Bake and cook for about 20-25 minutes or until the zeppole are puffed and lightly golden. Avoid opening the oven during baking to prevent the zeppole from deflating.
  6. Meanwhile, if you want to fill them, prepare the chocolate pastry cream by heating the milk with the cocoa and salt until almost boiling. In a bowl, whisk the egg yolks with the sugar and cornstarch, then pour in the hot milk gradually, stirring. Return the mixture to the heat and cook until the cream thickens.
  7. When the zeppole are ready, let them cool on a wire rack. If desired, you can fill them with the chocolate pastry cream using a piping bag.
  8. Before serving, if you like, dust the zeppole with powdered sugar.

Trivia

Zeppole are a typical dessert for Saint Joseph’s Day in Italy, during which Father’s Day is also celebrated. The baked version is a lighter choice compared to the fried one, but equally delicious. Customizing the zeppole with cocoa makes this dessert even more irresistible for chocolate lovers.