Snowflake Pastries with Ricotta and Milk Cream Filling

Snowflakes (Fiocchi di Neve)

Category: Desserts
Servings: 28

Ingredients

Instructions

1. Prepare the dough:
   Begin by dissolving the fresh yeast in room temperature whole milk. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine the Manitoba and all-purpose flours, the yeast mixture, and sugar. Mix on medium speed for about 2 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and well-blended. Once the dough starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl, gradually add the softened butter, a little piece at a time. Continue mixing until the butter is fully incorporated, then add the salt. Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead it briefly by hand. Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a clean bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and allow it to rise at room temperature for 1 hour, or until it has grown slightly in size (it may not double in volume).

2. Shape the dough:
   After the dough has rested, place it on a work surface and divide it into 28 equal portions. Roll each piece into a neat ball, then place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Ensure that they are spaced well apart, as they will expand during the second rise. Cover with plastic wrap and let the balls rise for another 1 to 1.5 hours at room temperature, until they have puffed up.

3. Prepare the ricotta cream:
   While the dough is rising, prepare the ricotta filling. Pour the fresh cream into a bowl and whip it using an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Set it aside in the fridge. In a separate bowl, use a spatula or whisk to soften the ricotta cheese, then mix in the powdered sugar. Once the cream has been whipped, gently fold it into the ricotta mixture. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use.

4. Make the milk cream:
   For the milk cream, combine the whole milk and sugar in a saucepan. Place it over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Once the mixture is warm, stir in the honey. Next, whisk in the cornstarch, making sure there are no lumps, and cook the mixture for several minutes until it thickens to a custard-like consistency. Remove the saucepan from the heat and transfer the cream to a shallow dish. Cover with plastic wrap directly on the surface of the cream to prevent a skin from forming, and let it cool at room temperature before placing it in the refrigerator to chill.

5. Prepare for baking:
   Once the dough balls have risen, beat the egg and mix it with 15g of milk in a small bowl. Use this mixture to gently brush the tops of the dough balls, ensuring they are well-coated for a golden, shiny finish once baked.

6. Bake the Snowflakes:
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) with the setting on static heat (not fan-assisted). Bake the dough balls for approximately 18 minutes, or until they turn a rich golden color and are fully cooked. Remove them from the oven and let them cool to a lukewarm temperature.

7. Assemble the Snowflakes:
   Once the baked dough balls have cooled slightly, take a fine-tipped piping nozzle and carefully create a hole in the bottom of each one. Fill a piping bag with the chilled ricotta and milk cream mixture, using a smooth, thin, and long nozzle. Pipe the cream into each dough ball until they are filled generously. Place the filled snowflakes onto a tray and dust them with powdered sugar for a delicate finish.

8. Serving:
   Allow the Snowflakes to cool completely before serving. These sweet, light pastries are a perfect addition to your dessert table and will impress with their soft texture and rich, creamy filling. Enjoy the indulgence with a cup of tea or coffee as a delightful treat during the festive season.

Additional Tips:

• Ensure that the dough does not overproof during the resting stages to avoid it becoming too airy or losing shape.
• For extra flavor, you can infuse the milk cream with a dash of cinnamon or orange zest.
• If you prefer, the ricotta filling can be substituted with mascarpone for a richer creaminess.

These Snowflakes, or Fiocchi di Neve, are an elegant and indulgent dessert that embodies the essence of winter celebrations with their fluffy dough and decadent cream filling. Their light, melt-in-your-mouth texture and sweet vanilla notes will leave everyone craving more.