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Maritozzi

17/11/2023

Maritozzi are a typical dessert from the Lazio region, particularly from Rome, and are soft brioches usually filled with whipped cream. Here is the recipe for making delicious maritozzi.

Ingredients

  • 500 g of type 00 flour
  • 100 g of sugar
  • 25 g of fresh yeast
  • 100 g of butter
  • 200 ml of warm milk
  • 2 eggs
  • Grated zest of 1 lemon (untreated)
  • A pinch of salt
  • Raisins (optional)
  • Whipping cream (desired amount for filling)
  • Icing sugar (for decorating)

Preparation

  1. Soak the raisins in warm water or a sweet liquor like rum (if you wish to add them to the recipe).
  2. Dissolve the yeast in warm milk and add a tablespoon of sugar, then let it rest for a few minutes.
  3. In the bowl of a stand mixer or a large bowl, place the flour and make a well in the center. Add the dissolved yeast in milk, eggs, grated lemon zest, and the remaining sugar.
  4. Start kneading, gradually adding the soft butter in pieces and a pinch of salt, until the dough is smooth and homogeneous.
  5. If you’ve decided to use raisins, wring them out from the water and add them to the dough after kneading for a few minutes.
  6. Let the dough rise covered with a cloth in a warm place free from drafts for about 2-3 hours or until it doubles in volume.
  7. Take the risen dough and shape it into oval buns, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and let them rise again for about 30 minutes.
  8. Preheat the oven to 180 °C.
  9. Bake the maritozzi for about 20 minutes or until they are golden.
  10. Remove them from the oven and let them cool completely.
  11. Whip the cream (optionally adding icing sugar to taste) until it is firm and frothy.
  12. Make a longitudinal cut on the top of each maritozzo and fill with the whipped cream.
  13. Dust with icing sugar before serving.

Did You Know?

Did you know that Lazio maritozzi were once given to lovers on the first Friday of March? Hence the name “maritozzi”, which comes from “marito” (husband), symbolizing the promise of a future together. Moreover, in the older version, it was customary to include small gifts inside the sweet, such as coins or little jewels.