Fluffy Maritozzi Cream Buns Recipe: Sweet Italian Bliss

Maritozzi, those delightful Italian cream buns, represent a culinary treasure that captures the essence of Italian pastry craftsmanship.

Sweet dough refines into pillowy delicacies that dance between breakfast and dessert categories.

Softness defines their character, with a tender crumb that whispers promises of delectable indulgence.

Roman bakers have perfected these subtle treats, infusing them with subtle richness and elegant simplicity.

Traditional techniques elevate these buns beyond ordinary bakery fare, creating a sensory experience that feels both nostalgic and innovative.

Regional ingredients contribute depth and authenticity to each carefully crafted morsel.

You’ll want to savor every nuanced bite of these heavenly pastries.

Best Beverages to Pair with Maritozzi Buns

• Brew Espresso Elegance: Pair these soft, sweet Maritozzi with a shot of rich, bold Italian espresso that cuts through the cream's sweetness and complements the delicate honey and vanilla notes.
• Cherry Liqueur Delight: Serve alongside a small glass of amarena cherry liqueur to enhance the buns' fruity undertones and create a sophisticated dessert experience that celebrates Italian flavor traditions.
• Citrus Prosecco Splash: Enjoy these cream-filled buns with a chilled glass of crisp, bubbly prosecco, which adds a light, refreshing contrast to the rich, creamy filling and brings out the subtle orange zest.
• Afternoon Tea Twist: Create a perfect mid-day treat by pairing Maritozzi with a delicate white tea or chamomile blend that softens the sweetness and provides a gentle, aromatic companion to these indulgent buns.

Creative Twists on Maritozzi Buns

• Chocolate Cherry Maritozzi: Incorporate cocoa powder into the dough for a rich chocolate base, then fill with chocolate whipped cream and dark cherries for an indulgent twist.
• Lavender Honey Maritozzi: Infuse the dough with dried lavender buds, replace vanilla with lavender extract, and create a honey-sweetened cream filling for a fragrant Mediterranean-inspired version.
• Pistachio Cream Maritozzi: Fold finely ground pistachios into the dough, prepare a pistachio-flavored whipped cream, and garnish with chopped pistachios for a nutty, elegant variation.
• Lemon Ricotta Maritozzi: Add lemon zest to the dough, create a light ricotta cream filling, and top with candied lemon peel for a bright, citrusy interpretation of the classic Italian bun.

Maritozzi Italian Cream Buns: A Sweet Italian Delight

• Savor Italian Luxury: Maritozzi buns elevate your dessert experience with their rich, pillowy texture and decadent cream filling that transports you straight to the charming streets of Rome.
• Master Complex Baking with Ease: Despite seeming intricate, this recipe breaks down advanced pastry techniques into simple steps, making professional-grade Italian cream buns accessible to home bakers of all skill levels.
• Celebrate Versatile Indulgence: Perfect for elegant brunches, afternoon tea, special occasions, or when you crave a luxurious sweet treat that combines delicate pastry with luscious whipped cream and sweet amarena cherries.
• Craft Sensational Flavor Layers: The combination of orange zest, vanilla beans, honey, and fresh cream creates a sophisticated taste profile that balances sweetness with aromatic depth, making each bite a mini culinary adventure.

Key Ingredients for Making Maritozzi Italian Cream Buns

• Flour: A key base for the soft and tender buns, use high-protein bread flour for best texture.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with yeast activation and golden browning.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the buns.

• Yeast: Essential for dough rising and creating light, airy texture.
• Warm Milk: Activates yeast and provides moisture to the dough.
• Egg Yolk: Adds richness, color, and helps bind the ingredients together.

• Butter: Creates a rich, tender crumb and adds luxurious flavor.
• Orange Zest: Provides bright, citrusy aromatic notes to the dough.
• Vanilla Beans: Adds deep, complex vanilla flavor and visual interest.
• Honey: Contributes natural sweetness and helps with browning.

• Heavy Cream, Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, sweet whipped cream filling.
• Amarena Cherries: Adds sweet-tart burst of flavor and classic Italian touch.
• Additional Powdered Sugar: For dusting and finishing presentation.

How to Craft Light and Fluffy Maritozzi Buns

Step 1: Prepare Sweet Dough Base

• Flour
• Sugar
• Yeast

Create a center well, pour warm milk and egg yolk. Knead using dough hook until liquid absorbs completely.

Step 2: Enhance Dough Flavor

• Orange zest
• Vanilla beans
• Honey

Knead until evenly distributed throughout dough.

Step 3: Incorporate Butter

Gradually add butter and finish with salt. Continue kneading for 8-10 minutes until dough becomes soft and elastic.

Step 4: First Dough Proofing

Transfer dough to greased bowl, rotate to coat surface. Cover with plastic wrap. Let rise in warm environment until volume triples, approximately 2 hours.

Step 5: Shape Dough Portions

Divide dough into 12 equal portions. Roll each into smooth ball. Place on parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover with plastic wrap. Allow second rise for 1 hour.

Step 6: Bake Buns

Preheat oven to 350°F. Brush dough balls with egg wash. Bake for 20 minutes until golden brown. Cool completely before filling.

Step 7: Create Cream Filling

• Heavy cream
• Powdered sugar

Whip until stiff peaks form. Fill buns with cream and amarena cherries. Level filling using spatula. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Tips for Getting the Perfect Creamy Filling in Maritozzi Buns

• Activate Yeast Perfectly: Ensure milk is warm (not hot) to prevent killing the yeast, maintaining its rising power for soft, fluffy buns.
• Knead with Patience: Take time developing gluten by kneading 8-10 minutes, creating a stretchy, silky dough that guarantees tender maritozzi.
• Control Rising Environment: Place dough in a draft-free, warm spot like a turned-off oven with a pan of hot water to encourage consistent, even rising.
• Handle Dough Gently: Use light touches when shaping balls to preserve air pockets, ensuring a delicate, light texture in your final buns.
• Cream Filling Technique: Whip cream just until stiff peaks form to prevent over-beating, which can make the filling grainy and less smooth.

How to Keep Maritozzi Italian Cream Buns Fresh

• Store Leftovers
• Refrigerate cream-filled maritozzi in an airtight container for 2-3 days. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Wrap individually in plastic wrap to maintain freshness and prevent cream from absorbing other refrigerator odors.
• Freezing Tips
• Freeze unfilled buns for up to 1 month in a sealed freezer bag. Thaw at room temperature for 2 hours before filling. Avoid freezing cream-filled maritozzi, as the texture will compromise the delicate cream's consistency.
• Reheating Method
• Warm buns gently in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. For best results, consume at room temperature to preserve the soft texture and delicate cream filling.

Maritozzi Cream Buns Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Maritozzi, classic Roman sweet rolls, blend pillowy enriched dough with whipped cream and delicate hints of citrus. Pastry lovers savor these traditional Italian breakfast treats that transport palates straight to Rome’s charming bakeries.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients (Filling):

• 2 cups (473 ml) heavy whipping cream (35%)
• 4 tablespoons (60 ml) powdered sugar (icing sugar)

Garnish:

• Amarena cherries (optional, for topping)
• Extra powdered sugar for dusting

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. In a stand mixer bowl, blend all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and active dry yeast, creating a central cavity for wet ingredients.
2. Pour lukewarm whole milk (105-110°F or 40-43°C) and egg yolks into the flour mixture, using the dough hook attachment to integrate ingredients until a cohesive texture emerges.
3. Incorporate freshly grated orange zest, scraped vanilla bean seeds, and golden honey, kneading until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
4. Gradually introduce room-temperature unsalted butter, working it into the dough incrementally, then add a pinch of sea salt to enhance flavor complexity.
5. Continue kneading for 8-10 minutes, developing gluten structure until the dough becomes silky, smooth, and elastic with a slight sheen.
6. Transfer dough to a lightly oiled large bowl, rotating to ensure complete coverage, then drape with plastic wrap and allow to rise in a draft-free, warm environment until volume has tripled, approximately 2 hours.
7. Gently deflate the risen dough and divide into 12 uniform portions, rolling each into a smooth, taut ball with minimal handling.
8. Arrange dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, maintaining equal spacing, and cover with plastic wrap for a secondary rise of 1 hour.
9. Preheat conventional oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare an egg wash by whisking 1 whole egg with a tablespoon of water.
10. Carefully brush each dough ball with egg wash, ensuring even coverage for a golden, glossy finish.
11. Bake for 18-22 minutes until buns are uniformly golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
12. Allow buns to cool completely on a wire rack, preventing moisture accumulation.
13. Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar until stiff, stable peaks form, creating a luxurious filling.
14. Slice buns horizontally, pipe or spoon cream generously, and nestle amarena cherries within the cream.
15. Dust with additional powdered sugar, creating an elegant, traditional presentation before serving.

Notes

• Prepare ingredients at room temperature for smooth blending and consistent texture.
• Orange zest and vanilla beans elevate traditional bun flavors with subtle Mediterranean aromatics.
• Kneading develops gluten, creating soft, stretchy dough that rises beautifully and holds shape.
• Warm environment encourages yeast activation, ensuring pillowy, light-textured buns with delicate crumb.
• Amarena cherries provide luxurious bursts of sweetness, complementing rich whipped cream filling.
• Powdered sugar dusting adds elegant finishing touch, transforming simple buns into bakery-style treat.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 800 kcal
• Sugar: 32g
• Sodium: 50mg
• Fat: 88g
• Saturated Fat: 54g
• Unsaturated Fat: 34g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 36g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 4g
• Cholesterol: 300mg