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
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
Instructions
- In a stand mixer bowl, blend all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and active dry yeast, creating a central cavity for wet ingredients.
- 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.
- Incorporate freshly grated orange zest, scraped vanilla bean seeds, and golden honey, kneading until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Gradually introduce room-temperature unsalted butter, working it into the dough incrementally, then add a pinch of sea salt to enhance flavor complexity.
- Continue kneading for 8-10 minutes, developing gluten structure until the dough becomes silky, smooth, and elastic with a slight sheen.
- 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.
- Gently deflate the risen dough and divide into 12 uniform portions, rolling each into a smooth, taut ball with minimal handling.
- Arrange dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, maintaining equal spacing, and cover with plastic wrap for a secondary rise of 1 hour.
- Preheat conventional oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare an egg wash by whisking 1 whole egg with a tablespoon of water.
- Carefully brush each dough ball with egg wash, ensuring even coverage for a golden, glossy finish.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes until buns are uniformly golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Allow buns to cool completely on a wire rack, preventing moisture accumulation.
- Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar until stiff, stable peaks form, creating a luxurious filling.
- Slice buns horizontally, pipe or spoon cream generously, and nestle amarena cherries within the cream.
- 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