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Panzerotti with Ricotta, Chocolate, and Hazelnut Grain

17/11/2023

Sweet panzerotti with ricotta, chocolate, and hazelnut grain are a delicious combination typical of the Italian pastry tradition. Here is how to prepare them.

Ingredients

  • 250 g of type 00 flour
  • 25 g of sugar
  • 25 g of butter
  • 8 g of fresh brewer’s yeast
  • 1 pinch of salt
  • 130 ml of warm milk
  • 1 egg (for brushing)

For the filling:

  • 250 g of ricotta
  • 50 g of powdered sugar
  • 75 g of chocolate chips
  • 50 g of hazelnut grain
  • Grated zest of 1 lemon (optional)

Preparation

  1. In a large bowl, sift the flour with the pinch of salt. Create a well in the center and add the sugar and melted butter.
  2. Dissolve the yeast in the warm milk and pour it into the bowl with the dry ingredients.
  3. Knead well until you have a homogeneous mixture, then cover it with a clean dishtowel and let it rise in a warm place for about 2 hours until it doubles in volume.
  4. In the meantime, prepare the filling by mixing the ricotta with the powdered sugar until you obtain a smooth cream. Add the chocolate chips, hazelnut grain, and grated lemon zest to the ricotta mixture if you wish for a citrus scent.
  5. After the dough has risen, take it and roll it out on a floured surface, working it until it is about 3 mm thick.
  6. Cut out circles of about 10-12 cm in diameter using a pastry cutter or an upside-down glass.
  7. Place a heaping spoonful of the filling in the center of each circle and fold in half, sealing the edges well with a fork to prevent the filling from leaking out during cooking.
  8. Brush the surface of the panzerotti with a lightly beaten egg.
  9. Fry the panzerotti in abundant hot oil (175 °C) until golden, or you can also bake them in a preheated oven at 180 °C for 15-20 minutes if you prefer a less fatty version.
  10. Once cooked, drain the excess oil with paper towels, let them cool slightly and serve.

You might pair these panzerotti with a sweet wine, such as Moscato, or a Vin Santo, whose sweet and aromatic notes complement the richness of the filling.

Curiosity

The panzerotto has ancient origins; it is believed to derive from the calzone—small “stockings” filled with sweets—prepared during the Renaissance period. This sweet version is rarer compared to the savory one but is equally appreciated for its creamy filling and its soft and slightly crispy crust.