Maritozzo are soft, airy Italian rolls filled with a generous portion of vanilla cream. These delicious pastries are incredibly light and fluffy, with a sweet and creamy filling that melts in your mouth. Perfect for special occasions or a morning treat, Maritozzo is an easy-to-make pastry with a beautiful, glossy finish that’s achieved by brushing the rolls with a sugar syrup before baking. They’re delightful on their own or with added flavors in the cream, such as coffee or citrus zest.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Dough:

• 500 grams (3 ½ cups) all-purpose flour

• 11 grams (2 tsp) active dry yeast

• 100 grams soft butter (cut into cubes)

• 70 grams (1/3 cup) sugar

• 160 ml (2/3 cup) lukewarm milk

• 2 large eggs

• Pinch of salt

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Syrup:

• 80 ml (1/3 cup) water

• 70 grams (1/3 cup) sugar

For Brushing:

• 1 beaten egg

For the Vanilla Cream:

• 500 ml (2 cups) very cold whipping cream

• 40 grams (1/3 cup) powdered sugar

• 30 grams (3 tbsp) vanilla instant pudding powder

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For Decoration:

• Powdered sugar

Directions

1. Prepare the Dough:
   In the mixer bowl, combine flour, yeast, butter, sugar, milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and salt. Knead on low speed for 12-15 minutes until you achieve a uniform, soft dough.
   Form the dough into a ball, cover it, and allow it to rise for 1-2 hours or until doubled in size.

2. Shape the Rolls:
   Transfer the dough to a work surface and divide it into two parts. Roll each part into a chunky strip and cut into 6 pieces. You should get 12 rolls in total. Shape the pieces into balls and arrange them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Cover and allow the rolls to rise for another 30 minutes.

3. Prepare the Syrup:
   In a saucepan, combine water and sugar. Heat until the mixture boils and cook for 1-2 minutes. Let the syrup cool to room temperature.

4. Bake the Rolls:
   Preheat the oven to 170°C (340°F). Brush the rolls with the beaten egg and bake for 12-16 minutes, or until golden brown.
   Brush the hot rolls with the cooled syrup and allow them to cool completely.

5. Make the Vanilla Cream:
   In a mixer bowl with a whipping attachment, combine the cold whipping cream, powdered sugar, vanilla pudding powder, and vanilla extract. Whip on high speed until you achieve a thick, stable cream.

6. Assemble the Maritozzo:
   Cross the rolls in the center, leaving them attached at the bottom. Use a plastic baking card or piping bag to fill them with the vanilla cream. Smooth the exposed part of the roll for an even look. Garnish generously with powdered sugar.

Estimated Nutritional Value (per roll)

• Calories: 300-350 kcal

• Fat: 15-20g

  • Saturated Fat: 8-10g

• Cholesterol: 40-60mg

• Sodium: 100-150mg

• Carbohydrates: 35-40g

  • Fiber: 1-2g

  • Sugars: 15-18g

• Protein: 4-5g

This estimate assumes one roll filled with vanilla cream, and the nutritional value can vary depending on the size of the rolls and the specific ingredients used (such as butter, cream, and sugar).

A Soft and Fluffy Dough with a Beautiful Finish

The key to the perfect Maritozzo is its dough. Made with simple ingredients like all-purpose flour, active dry yeast, milk, butter, sugar, and eggs, the dough is soft, pliable, and slightly sweet. The yeast-based dough is kneaded until smooth and left to rise, allowing it to develop a light, airy texture. As the dough rises, it becomes fluffy and delicate, ready to be shaped into soft rolls.

What makes Maritozzo so special is the glossy finish it gets before baking. A simple syrup made from water and sugar is brushed onto the dough before baking. This step gives the rolls a beautiful sheen, which not only adds to their appearance but also enhances their flavor, creating a light sweetness on the outside.

A Creamy and Indulgent Filling

The heart of the Maritozzo is the vanilla cream filling, which is what makes these pastries so irresistible. Made with very cold whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla instant pudding powder, the cream is whipped to perfection until it becomes thick and stable. The addition of vanilla extract deepens the flavor of the cream, giving it a rich, aromatic sweetness.

For those looking to add a twist to the classic vanilla cream, there are many variations you can try. Coffee flavoring can be added to the cream for a mocha-like filling, or citrus zest can be incorporated to give the cream a bright, refreshing touch. These variations can take the classic Maritozzo to the next level, adding a personal flair while still maintaining its traditional charm.

Perfect for Special Occasions or a Sweet Morning Treat

Maritozzo is perfect for all types of occasions. Whether you’re hosting a brunch, a holiday gathering, or simply looking for a special treat to enjoy with your morning coffee, Maritozzo is an excellent choice. Its delicate sweetness and creamy filling make it a standout dessert or snack, ideal for indulging without feeling overly heavy.

In Italy, Maritozzo is often served for breakfast, enjoyed with a cup of espresso or cappuccino. Its light yet satisfying texture makes it a great way to start the day. The addition of whipped cream makes it feel indulgent, but the pastry is still light enough not to overwhelm your palate.

Making Maritozzo: Step-by-Step Guide

Creating the perfect Maritozzo at home is simpler than it might seem. The dough is straightforward to prepare, and the key steps are easy to follow. After kneading the dough and allowing it to rise, you’ll shape it into rolls and brush them with the syrup to achieve that glossy finish. Once baked to a golden brown, the rolls are filled with the delicious vanilla cream and garnished with a dusting of powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness.

The Dough Process

To start, you’ll combine all the dry ingredients—flour, yeast, and salt—before adding the wet ingredients—milk, eggs, butter, and vanilla extract. Kneading the dough for 12-15 minutes will ensure it reaches a soft, smooth texture. After the dough rises and doubles in size, divide it into small portions and shape them into rolls. Once placed on a baking sheet, let the dough rise again for a short time before brushing them with a beaten egg and baking.

The Syrup and Glaze

The syrup used for brushing the rolls is made by dissolving sugar in water and boiling it for a few minutes. This syrup creates a beautiful, shiny coating on the baked rolls and adds a subtle sweetness that complements the richness of the cream filling.

The Vanilla Cream Filling

While the dough is rising, prepare the vanilla cream by whipping cold whipping cream with powdered sugar and vanilla pudding powder. The instant pudding powder helps stabilize the cream, ensuring it stays thick and firm when piped into the rolls. You can make the cream as thick or light as you prefer by adjusting the amount of pudding powder, but it’s essential that the cream is stable enough to hold its shape once inside the soft rolls.

Assembling the Maritozzo

After the rolls are baked and cooled, carefully slice them in half, leaving them connected at the bottom. Using a piping bag or a plastic card, fill the rolls with the vanilla cream, making sure each one is generously stuffed with the cream. The final touch is a dusting of powdered sugar, which adds an elegant and sweet finish to the pastries.

Nutritional Value of Maritozzo

While Maritozzo is undoubtedly a treat to enjoy in moderation, it’s helpful to know the nutritional value so you can indulge mindfully. Each Maritozzo roll contains approximately 300-350 calories, depending on the size of the roll and the ingredients used. With 15-20 grams of fat, including 8-10 grams of saturated fat, the pastry is rich and indulgent. It also provides around 35-40 grams of carbohydrates, making it a satisfying snack.

The Maritozzo offers about 4-5 grams of protein, which comes from the eggs, butter, and cream used in the dough and filling. While the pastry is higher in sugar (15-18 grams per roll), this is expected due to the sweetness of the vanilla cream and the syrup glaze.

For those looking to minimize sugar, you could reduce the amount of powdered sugar in the cream or substitute with a sugar alternative, although this may alter the texture and taste. Regardless, Maritozzo is a sweet, indulgent treat that is best enjoyed on special occasions or when you want to treat yourself to something delicious.

Conclusion: A Sweet Italian Tradition

Maritozzo is more than just a pastry—it’s a celebration of Italian baking and a treat that brings joy to any occasion. With its soft, pillowy dough, glossy sugar glaze, and rich vanilla cream filling, it’s a dessert that offers both elegance and comfort. Whether enjoyed as a morning breakfast or served as a special dessert, Maritozzo is sure to impress anyone who tries it.

Making Maritozzo at home is easier than you might think, and with a few simple ingredients, you can create an authentic Italian pastry that rivals any bakery’s. The combination of the delicate dough and indulgent cream filling makes each bite a blissful experience. So, the next time you’re in the mood for something special, treat yourself to Maritozzo and savor the flavors of Italy.