Cozy Winter Evening Treat: Homemade Mountain Heart Donuts
Picture a winter evening, the warmth of your kitchen, and the sweet aroma filling the air as you prepare a classic treat from the Italian Alps. These Mountain Heart Donuts, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, are the epitome of comfort food that warms the soul.
I still remember when my grandma would open her box of homemade donuts; each bite was a dive into tradition, a connection to our family roots. Now it’s your turn to create memories: mix selected flours, comforting butter, and that citrusy touch from lemon zest. The dough then takes the spotlight thanks to the pastry bag that turns sweetness into small works of art ready to be baked.
If you want to add a personal touch to this culinary experience, explore the suggested twists: toasted pine nuts or hazelnut crumble to enrich every bite, or dipping half of a donut in dark chocolate for lovers of intense contrasts. Get ready to surprise your loved ones with these marvels from the heart of the mountains!
Recipe Notes
- SIMPLICITY: Easy to whip up with just a few common ingredients.
- PRO TIP: Infused with lemon zest for a fresh twist.
- TIME: Quick prep in just 15 minutes.
- COOKING: Biscuit rings ready in 20 minutes in the oven at 180 degrees.
- NUTRITIONAL NOTES: Approximately 450 Kcal per serving.
Ingredients Notes for the Recipe
- Cornmeal: perfect for a light and fluffy texture
- Butter: guarantees a rich flavor and a soft texture
- Granulated sugar: adds sweetness and crispiness to the little donuts
- Eggs: essential for binding the ingredients and making the dough homogeneous
- Lemon zest: gives a fresh and citrusy aroma to the little donuts
Nutritional aspects
Italian Aosta Donuts are a delicious traditional sweet treat, perfect for a little indulgence. Here are some of their nutritional benefits:
- A source of energy with 450 calories per serving.
- Contain butter, a source of saturated fats to be enjoyed in moderation.
- Provide complex carbohydrates from yellow and white flour.
- Eggs offer high-quality proteins and vitamins.
- Lemon zest adds a touch of vitamin C and natural flavor.
- Possibility to enrich with pine nuts or hazelnuts for an extra dose of fiber and healthy fats.
Recipe for Ciambelline D'Aosta
Ingredients
- 400 g Fine yellow flour Very fine
- 75 g White flour
- 200 g Butter
- 250 g Sugar Granulated
- 3 Eggs
- Grated zest of 1/2 lemon Lemon zest Grated from 1/2
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix the two types of flour.
- Add the softened butter at room temperature and begin to knead.
- Incorporate the granulated sugar and the eggs, one at a time, making sure that each egg is well absorbed before adding the next one.
- Grate the zest of half a lemon directly into the dough to infuse it with a citrusy aroma.
- Vigorously work the mixture until you obtain a smooth and homogeneous dough.
- Take a pastry bag with a star-shaped tip and fill it with the dough for the donuts.
- Form small donuts directly on the oven tray lined with parchment paper, without greasing the surface.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 180 degrees and let them cook for about 20 minutes or until the donuts are golden and crispy to the touch.
- Remove from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack before serving.
Notes
Variations of Aosta Donuts Recipe
Spice up your Aosta donuts with these variations:
- Add toasted pine nuts or chopped hazelnuts to the dough for a crunchy surprise.
- Dip half of the donut in melted dark chocolate for a sweet and bitter contrast.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Recipe
If you have any doubts, here you’ll find answers to the most common questions about making Aosta Donuts.
How can I enhance the donuts?
Add toasted pine nuts or chopped hazelnuts for a crunchy and original touch.
How can I store the donuts?
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them fresh for longer.
How can I make the donuts more indulgent?
Dip half of the donut in melted dark chocolate and let it solidify for a delicious contrast between sweet and bitter. It’s a game-changer!
