Zeppole (Fried Italian Doughnuts)

This is a real simple recipe to make doughnuts. It's an italian doughnut that is a little bigger than a doughnut hole but is thick like a cake doughnut. Awesome tasting.

• Ready In: 25 mins
• Serves: 24

Ingredients

• 1  vanilla bean
• 1⁄2 cup sugar, plus
• 3  tablespoons sugar
• 2  tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 1⁄2 cup butter
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1  cup water
• 1  cup all-purpose flour
• 4  eggs
•  olive oil, for frying

Directions

1. Cut open the vanilla bean lengthwise. Using the back of a knife, scrape along the inside of the vanilla bean to collect the seeds. Scrape vanilla bean seeds into a small bowl.
2. Add the 1/2 cup sugar and cinnamon and stir to combine. Set aside.
3. In a medium saucepan combine the butter, salt, 3 tablespoons of sugar, and water over medium heat. Bring to a boil.
4. Take pan off the heat and stir in the flour. Return pan to the heat and stir continuously until mixture forms a ball, about 3 to 5 minutes.
5. Transfer the flour mixture to a medium bowl.
6. Using an electric hand mixer on low speed, add eggs, 1 at a time, incorporating each egg completely before adding the next. Beat until smooth.
7. If not frying immediately, cover with plastic wrap and reserve in the refrigerator.
8. Meanwhile, pour enough oil into a large frying pan to reach a depth of 2 inches. Heat the oil over medium heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 375 degrees F.
9. Using a small ice-cream scooper or 2 small spoons, carefully drop about a tablespoon of the dough into the hot olive oil, frying in batches.
10. Turn the zeppole once or twice, cooking until golden and puffed up, about 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
11. Toss with cinnamon-sugar. Arrange on a platter and serve immediately.