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sfinci recipe
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Sicilian Sfinci (Ricotta Donuts)

Course Dessert
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 3 minutes
Total Time 18 minutes
Servings 6
Author Vincenzo's Plate

Equipment

  • Saucepan for frying
  • Cooking thermometer
  • wooden spoon
  • Small pot Saucepan
  • 2 Bowls
  • Whisk
  • Slotted spoon
  • Small sieve for icing sugar

Ingredients

  • 250 ml Full cream milk 1 cup
  • 55 grams Caster sugar 1/4 cup
  • 2 Eggs Lightly whisked
  • 240 grams Fresh ricotta 1 cup
  • 300 grams Sifted plain flour 2 cups
  • 2 tsp Baking powder
  • 2 tsp Vanilla extract
  • Vegetable or Peanut oil. For frying
  • ½ - 1 cup Sultanas
  • Icing sugar to dust
  • Honey to serve

Instructions

  • Pour a generous amount of vegetable oil (or oil of your choice for frying) into a pot and place on the stove at a medium heat until the temperature reaches 190°C/375°F. (You can also use a deep fryer).
  • While the oil is heating up, this sfinci recipe calls for a delicious dough. To start, add full cream milk and caster sugar to a saucepan/pot.
  • Place it on the stove at a medium heat and stir using a wooden spoon.
  • Stir until the sugar dissolves, then remove it from the heat. This will take approx 2-3 minutes.
  • In a separate bowl, lightly whisk 2 eggs then add this to the milk/sugar mixture and finally add the ricotta.
  • Mix the wet ingredients using a whisk, starting off slowly so all the ingredients combine well.
  • Once they have combined, add 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract and mix through.
  • Next, combine 2 teaspoons of baking powder to your bowl of sifted flour and then add this to the wet mixture.
  • Mix the sfinci recipe ingredients gently using a wooden spoon until combined well.
  • Once the mixture is thick and smooth, and there is not a sprinkle of flour in sight, add your desired amount of sultanas, mixing again to make sure there is enough spread through the dough for every bite!
  • Next, check the temperature of the oil is ready and you can start making your sfinci!
  • Scoop up a portion of batter (approx. 4 tablespoons/one ice cream scoop) and drop it into the oil. It will form is own unique shape.
  • Once it floats to the top, use a slotted spoon to move it around slightly helping it to cook evenly.
  • Add a few more portions to the oil, move them around and leave until golden on one side, before turning them over and letting them colour on the other side too.
  • Cook sfinci between 3-5 minutes or until they turn a deep golden brown on both sides.
  • Remove them from the oil using the slotted spoon and leave them to dry on paper towels where they will also leave excess oil.
  • Repeat steps 11-15 until all the batter is finished.
  • E ora si mangia, Vincenzo’s Plate….Enjoy!

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