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Shortcrust Sfogliatelle

17/11/2023

Shortcrust sfogliatelle are a typical sweet of the Neapolitan pastry tradition, a variant of the classic curly sfogliatelle. Here’s how to prepare them.

Ingredients

  • 500 g of flour
  • 200 g of butter at room temperature
  • 200 g of sugar
  • 2 whole eggs
  • 1 yolk
  • Zest of one lemon

For the filling:

  • 450 g of ricotta
  • 150 g of sugar
  • 2 whole eggs
  • A pinch of powdered cinnamon
  • Zest of one lemon
  • 50 g of candied fruit or orange peel (optional)
  • Icing sugar for decoration

Preparation

  1. Start by preparing the dough for the sfogliatelle: arrange the flour into a well and put the softened butter in pieces, the sugar, the eggs and the yolk, and the grated lemon zest in the center.
  2. Quickly work the ingredients until you have a smooth and compact dough. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
  3. In the meantime, prepare the filling by blending the ricotta with the sugar until it is very smooth. Add the eggs, cinnamon, lemon zest and, if you like, the candied fruit cut into small pieces. Mix all the ingredients well until you have a homogeneous mixture.
  4. Take the dough out of the refrigerator and roll it out on a floured surface, shaping it into a rectangle about 3-4 mm thick.
  5. Cut strips of dough wide enough to contain the filling and form half-moons.
  6. Place a spoonful of filling in the center of each strip, then fold the dough over itself forming half-moons, sealing the edges well to prevent the filling from escaping during cooking.
  7. Place the sfogliatelle on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, spacing them slightly apart.
  8. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for about 20-25 minutes or until the sfogliatelle are golden brown.
  9. Let them cool down and then dust with icing sugar before serving.

Curiosity

Shortcrust sfogliatelle are loved for their friability and sweetness, as opposed to the crispiness of their “sister”, the curly sfogliatelle. The shortcrust version is generally easier to prepare at home and is often preferred by those who like a softer and more buttery pastry.

Shortcrust Sfogliatelle