Once I was a kid in Milan Italy, I used to eat during carnival a cake called fritters (Fritelle). I loved those sweets together with the “Chiacchiere” that are the typical carnival cakes. Learn how to make Carnival Cake fritters.
The carnival month of february is the most colorful and fun month of the year. Kids are throwing colored confetti, wearing carnival masks and streamers. It is the joy of children who can use their imagination with costumes of their favorite heroes.
And this is the reason I wanted to learn how to make this carnival cake starting right now. If you are looking for a very good and simple sweet to make during carnival you are about to start.
I will be covering what this carnival cake is, the recipe and tips I learned during this experience.
What is carnival cake also called fritters?
These Carnival cakes are for me one of the best Carnival desserts.
Castagnole, fritole, ravioli, frittelle are different Italian names and versions of the same Carnival cakes: a sort of good and spongy fried cream puffs based on flour, eggs and sugar. Most of these carnival cakes are fried but there is also an oven-baked variety. The dough can be plain or filled with cream, chocolate or ricotta cheese.
Bringing these delicious Carnival pancakes to the table will be a real success, because they are so good that both adults and children like them.
How to make this carnival cake also called fritters
I fyou are looking to learn how to make Carnival Cake fritters here you find ingredients and preparation step by step. The carnival pancakes are very easy to prepare and you have to try them at least once, right?
And now, fasten your apron.
- Difficulty: Low
- Cost: Economic
- Preparation time: 15 minutes + 1,5 hour lievitation
- Cooking time: 15 minutes
- Cooking method: Frying
- Kitchen: Italian
Ingredients for 25 pieces
- 150g – 0.33lb – 5.2oz “00” flour
- 100g – 0.22lb – 3.5oz water or milk
- 50g – 0.11lb – 1.2oz butter
- 4 medium eggs
- 1 pinch salt
- 50g – 0.11lb – 1.2oz sugar
- 6g – 0.01lb – 0.2oz fresh brewer’s yeast
- 1 lt – 33.81 fl oz Sunflower – Peanut oil
Preparation
Ok if you want to know how to make Carnival Cake fritters, start by putting the water, sugar and butter in a saucepan or kettle, then put it on the heat and bring to a boiling point.
Add the flour in one go (be careful to not drop the flour bag or container inside), and start stirring with a wooden spoon, making it absorb the flour into the water.
Keep stirring until a ball forms that will easily detach from the edges of the saucepan.
Place the dough in a bowl or stand mixer bowl. Beat with a whisk or a wooden spoon, add one egg at a time and mix. I found out that a whisk can splash the dough everywhere.
Add each egg only when the previous one has been absorbed. Finally add a pinch of salt.
Let the dough rest at room temperature and cover with a cloth for about an hour and a half until it starts to have many bubbles on the surface.
Put the dough in a piping bag with a round nozzle with a large smooth hole. Or you can use your hands.
And now form balls the size of a walnut (6X6 cm – 14.17X14.17 inch) using buttered edges, muffin forms or squares baking paper. Round the tip with a wet finger for nice round pancakes.
Right now you can choose to fry (the classic ones) or bake them.
How to make Fried sweet Carnival Cake fritters
If you want to have a good crispy taste then you should go for frying the carnival pancakes.
Heat plenty of sunflower or peanut oil in a pot with high sides and bring it to a temperature of about 170-180°C / 338-356°F. When it’s hot (check the temperature with a thermometer), spoon or dip the mixture inside. After a few seconds turn the pancakes and let them fry with a slotted spoon.
When they are well browned, remove them with a slotted spoon and put them to drain on absorbent paper.
Once cold, decorate the pancakes with some powdered sugar and decide if you want to fill them with sweet or savory creams.
How to make oven-baked sweet Carnival cake fritters
If you want a healthy version of the carnival pancakes then you should bake them in the oven or use an air fryer.
Heat the oven with a fan or the air fryer and bring it to a temperature of about 170-180°C / 338-356°F. Let them cook for about 10 minutes.
When they are well browned, remove them from the muffin form with a long wooden toothpick and put them to drain on absorbent paper.
Once cold, decorate with some powdered sugar and decide how to fill them with sweet or savory creams.
# Tips for making this carnival cake also called fritters
- You can also use dry brewer’s yeast by putting half the dose indicated.
- Always fry in plenty of oil so your foods will absorb less.
- This recipe can be baked.
- You can put powdered sugar but it will melt with the heat of the pancakes.
- Eat them very hot otherwise when they cool down they will no longer be the same.
- If you want, you can put inside raisins and sprinkle with powdered cinnamon as well as sugar.
Carnival fritters are good freshly made but if you want to keep them, put them in a closed box for a day. I remind you that you can find more recipes on mondosol.com.
If you are lucky enough to live in my city Hønefoss, Norway I can make them for you on our Crazy Kitchen in Mondosoleat.com
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