Italian Recipes

Cream-Filled Cinesini Pastries with Hazelnuts

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Cinesini alla Crema (Cream-Filled Pastries)

Category: Desserts
Servings: 16
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes


Ingredients

For the Pastry:

Ingredient Quantity
All-purpose flour 125g
Powdered sugar 45g
Extra virgin olive oil 35ml
Egg 1
Baking powder 4g

For the Cream Filling:

Ingredient Quantity
Whole milk 250ml
Sugar 75g
All-purpose flour 25g
Egg yolks 3
Vanilla pod ½ (or vanilla extract)
Chopped hazelnuts (or other nuts) To taste

Instructions

Preparing the Pastry:

  1. Making the Dough: Start by preparing the shortcrust pastry. Place the flour and powdered sugar in a bowl or on a flat surface. Mix the dry ingredients together and form a well in the center.
  2. Adding Wet Ingredients: Crack the egg into the well and add the extra virgin olive oil. Using your hands, knead the dough until it becomes smooth and firm.
  3. Resting the Dough: Once the dough is well-combined, wrap it in plastic wrap and let it rest in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
  4. Rolling the Dough: After resting, remove the dough and roll it out on a floured surface with a rolling pin. Roll it to about 2-3mm thick.
  5. Cutting the Dough: Using a round cookie cutter or a glass, cut out approximately 32 circles from the dough. These will form the two layers of each pastry. Gather and reroll the dough scraps to make more circles if needed.
  6. Baking the Pastry: Arrange the dough circles on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Ensure that they are spaced apart. Bake them in a preheated oven at 160°C (320°F) in static mode for 10 minutes. If using a fan-assisted oven, lower the temperature to 140°C (280°F) and bake for 6-7 minutes. The cookies should remain light in color.

Preparing the Cream Filling:

  1. Infusing the Milk: In a small saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat along with the vanilla pod and its seeds. Stir occasionally to infuse the milk with the vanilla flavor.
  2. Making the Cream: In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and sugar until smooth. Gradually add the flour and whisk until fully combined.
  3. Combining Milk and Egg Mixture: Once the milk has warmed, remove the vanilla pod and slowly pour the hot milk into the egg mixture, stirring continuously with a whisk to prevent curdling.
  4. Cooking the Cream: Return the mixture to the stove and cook over low heat, constantly stirring, until the cream thickens to the consistency of custard. Once thickened, remove from heat.
  5. Cooling the Cream: Transfer the cream to a bowl and cover it with plastic wrap, ensuring the plastic touches the surface of the cream to prevent a skin from forming. Allow it to cool completely in the refrigerator.

Assembling the Cinesini:

  1. Filling the Pastry: Once the cream has cooled, transfer it into a piping bag fitted with a star-shaped nozzle. Take one pastry circle, pipe a small amount of cream onto the center, and press another pastry circle gently on top to form a sandwich.
  2. Decorating: On a small plate, place the chopped hazelnuts (or other chopped nuts of your choice like pistachios, almonds, or walnuts). Gently roll the edges of each cream-filled pastry into the nuts, allowing them to stick to the cream.
  3. Chilling: Arrange the completed cinesini on a plate and refrigerate them until ready to serve.

Serving:

  1. Finishing Touches: Just before serving, dust the cinesini with a generous amount of powdered sugar for a finishing touch.
  2. Enjoy: Serve chilled and enjoy these delightful cream-filled pastries!

Tips for the Best Cinesini alla Crema:

  • Chill the Dough: Letting the dough rest in the fridge ensures that it stays firm, making it easier to handle and roll out.
  • Use Fresh Nuts: Freshly chopped hazelnuts or any other preferred nuts will add a lovely texture and flavor to the cinesini.
  • Make the Cream in Advance: For the best results, make the cream filling the night before, allowing it plenty of time to cool and set in the fridge.
  • Alternative Fillings: You can experiment with other fillings such as chocolate ganache or lemon curd for a creative twist on the classic.

These Cinesini alla Crema are perfect for any occasion, whether as an elegant dessert for a dinner party or a delightful treat to enjoy with a cup of coffee. The soft, buttery pastry and luscious cream filling come together for a truly irresistible bite.

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