Authentic Carnival Doughnuts (Ciambelline di Carnevale) Recipe

Carnival Doughnuts (Ciambelline di Carnevale)

Category: Leavened Doughs
Servings: 20 pieces

Ingredients

Instructions

1. Prepare the Starter:
   Begin by preparing the starter dough (lievitino). In a small bowl, crumble the fresh yeast. Add the lukewarm milk and the malt (or substitute with sugar), mixing well until dissolved. Stir in 100g of the all-purpose flour and combine into a smooth mixture. Set this aside in a warm place to rise, which will take about 30-40 minutes, or until it has doubled in size.

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2. Mix the Dough:
   In the bowl of a stand mixer (or a large mixing bowl if you’re working by hand), add the remaining 500g of flour, eggs, sugar, salt, the zest of 1 lemon and 1 orange, and the seeds scraped from the vanilla pod. Start mixing on a low speed to combine the ingredients, gradually increasing to medium speed as the dough comes together. Continue mixing until the dough is smooth, elastic, and homogeneous.

3. Incorporate the Starter:
   Once the starter dough has doubled in size, add it to the mixing bowl with the rest of the dough. Switch to the dough hook attachment on the stand mixer and begin kneading the dough. As you knead, add small pieces of softened butter one at a time, making sure each piece is fully incorporated before adding the next. This process should take about 10 minutes, and the dough will become smooth and slightly sticky.

4. Let the Dough Rise:
   After the butter is fully incorporated, cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and place it in a warm area to rise for about 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.

5. Shape the Doughnuts:
   Once the dough has risen, transfer it to a lightly floured surface. Gently roll it out with a rolling pin to a thickness of about 1 cm. Use a round cookie cutter to cut out circles from the dough, and then use a smaller cutter to make holes in the center of each circle, creating the traditional doughnut shape.

6. Fry the Doughnuts:
   Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or a large pot to about 170°C (340°F). Fry the doughnuts in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pot. Fry each doughnut for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and puffed up.

7. Coat with Sugar:
   Once fried, remove the doughnuts from the oil and place them on paper towels to drain any excess oil. While still warm, dust the doughnuts generously with powdered sugar.

8. Serve and Enjoy:
   Serve your Carnival Doughnuts warm, as they are best enjoyed fresh. These sweet treats make a perfect indulgence for a festive occasion like Carnevale.

Nutritional Information

(Note: Nutritional values are approximate and may vary depending on ingredient substitutions and specific measurements used.)

These Carnival Doughnuts are not only a traditional treat, but also a sweet indulgence that brings joy to any festive table. Enjoy them as a special breakfast or as a delightful snack for your guests. Perfect for sharing, these doughnuts capture the essence of Carnevale celebrations in each bite!