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Neapolitan snow buns, a delicious dessert

Tiziana Colombo: per voi, Nonnapaperina

Recipe proposed by
Tiziana Colombo

Fiocco di Neve Napoletano
Recipes for Intolerants, Italian Cuisine
Gluten-free recipes
Lactose-free recipes
Vegetarian recipes
preparazione
Preparation: 01 hours 00 min
cottura
Cooking: 01 hours 00 min
dosi
Ingredients for: 4 people
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5/5 (1 Review)

Neapolitan snow buns: a sweet experience you wouldn’t want to miss

The Neapolitan snow bun is a culinary delicacy that enchants the palates of anyone who tastes it. Originating from the Neapolitan pastry tradition, this dessert stands out for its softness and its encompassing taste, perfect for satisfying obsessive cravings on every occasion. The centuries-long history of Neapolitan pastry creation has obscured the snow bun’s ancient origins. Its shape and name evoke the enchanted atmosphere of winter, transporting those who taste it into a world of sweetness and tradition.

Grated lemon zest, brewer’s yeast, flour, milk, sugar, and butter are the fundamental, real components. These ingredients are combined with skill to create a fragrant, soft dough that will be shaped into small balls and then filled with a delicious milk cream.

Neapolitan snow buns require skill and care to prepare. Following the leavening stage, the dough is lovingly formed into tiny, edible balls that are ready to be fried and consumed.

Recipe snow buns

Preparation snow buns

  • To prepare the buns, start by dissolving the brewer’s yeast in the warm milk.
  • Sift the flour and starch together with the sugar, lemon zest, and salt in a bowl.
  • Pour in the milk containing the yeast, and stir in the melted butter and lightly beaten egg.
  • Work the mixture thoroughly until it is smooth and uniform.
  • Cover the dough with a cloth and let it rise in a warm place for about 2 hours, until it doubles in volume.
  • Once the leavening time has passed, divide the dough into small balls and shape them into buns.
  • In the meantime, prepare the cream for the filling. In a bowl, whip the fresh cream with the icing sugar and vanilla extract until you obtain a soft, whipped consistency, then set aside for later.
  • Pour the milk into a saucepan and heat over medium heat. Keep it from boiling.
  • Combine the sugar and ricotta in another basin and stir until smooth.
  • Add the cornflour to the ricotta mixture and mix well until it dissolves completely.
  • When the milk is hot but not boiling, pour the ricotta and cornflour mixture into the saucepan with the milk, stirring continuously with a whisk to avoid the formation of lumps.
  • Continue to cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the cream thickens and reaches a creamy consistency.
  • Take the cream off the heat and allow it to cool fully, stirring now and then to prevent a film from forming on the surface.
  • Divide the dough into balls again. Roll out each ball on a floured surface, forming a disc, and then place a generous amount of milk cream in the centre of each disc.
  • Using your fingers, firmly close the dough around the milk cream to create filled buns.
  • The filled buns should rest for a further thirty minutes after being placed on a baking pan lined with baking paper.
  • The filled flakes should be cooked for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until they are golden, in a pre-heated oven at about 180°C.
  • Once cooked, let them cool completely and dust them with icing sugar before serving.

For the dough:

  • 300 gr. of rice flour,
  • 100 gr. of potato starch,
  • 100 gr. of sugar,
  • 25 gr. of fresh brewer’s yeast,
  • 100 ml of lactose-free whole milk,
  • 80 gr. of melted clarified butter,
  • 1 egg
  • lemon zest
  • a pinch of salt

For the filling:

  • 250 ml of lactose-free fresh cream,
  • 2 tablespoons icing sugar,
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • 200 g of ricotta
  • 250 ml of lactose-free milk
  • 50 g of sugar
  • 20 g of corn starch

The filling, the soft core of the snow bun

The mouthwatering combination of milk and ricotta cream at the centre of these Neapolitan snow buns is one of their most alluring features. This cream provides a remarkable tasting experience with its creamy consistency and delicate milky flavour that envelopes every bite in sweetness.

Once cooked, the ricotta and milk cream turn into the tender, comforting core of Neapolitan snow buns. These mouthwatering treats are packed to overflow, providing a delightful burst of sweetness and creaminess with every bite. The delicacy of the milk and ricotta cream pairs perfectly with the softness of the snow buns, creating a perfect balance of flavours and textures.

A gluten-free version

The snow bun recipe lends itself to modification and experimentation. For those who need to avoid gluten in their diet, it is possible to prepare a delicious and safe version using rice flour, a gluten-free alternative that keeps the authentic taste of this traditional dessert intact.
Rice flour is an excellent choice for those following a gluten-free diet. It is rich in fibre, vitamins, and minerals and is easily digestible. Furthermore, rice flour gives the desserts a soft and light texture, perfect for preparing gluten-free Neapolitan snow buns.

Fiocco di Neve Napoletano

Similarly, the filling is made with lactose-free cream, which tastes only slightly sweeter than standard fresh cream. On the other hand, the lactose removal process is natural and does not involve the use of any chemical substances. The lactase enzyme is added to the raw material in order to split the lactose into glucose and galactose, two simple sugars that can be digested by everyone.

How to pair the snow buns

The combination of snow buns and coffee is a classic and delicious combination; it’s the ideal way to savour the flavours of both. The rich, powerful scent of the coffee contrasts beautifully with the creamy richness of the snow buns, resulting in a taste profile that strikes a balance between sweetness and bitterness.

The alternation between a bite of the snow bun and a sip of coffee allows you to fully appreciate the flavour nuances of both, enhancing the sweetness of the dessert and the aroma of the coffee. This combination is perfect both for breakfast, when you want to indulge in a moment of intense sweetness, and for a snack, to enjoy a moment of pleasure and relaxation during the day.

There are a number of ways to experiment with more sophisticated pairings for the snow buns, aside from the traditional match with coffee. Here are some suggestions:

Tea: Accompany the snow buns with a cup of aromatic tea, such as Japanese green tea or oolong tea. The delicate flavours of tea pair well with the creamy sweetness of the snow buns, offering a refined alternative to pairing with coffee.

Sparkling wine or champagne: For a more sophisticated experience, accompany the snow buns with a glass of sparkling wine or champagne. The freshness and effervescence of the wine balance perfectly with the sweetness of the dessert, creating an elegant and festive combination.

Fortified Wine: Choose a fortified wine, such as Marsala or Vin Santo, to pair with the snow buns. The smoothness of the dessert and the wine’s deep aromas and hints of dried fruits combine to create a rich and engulfing combination.

Aromatic Liqueurs: Opt for an aromatic liqueur, such as amaretto or chocolate liqueur, to sip with the snow buns. The dessert’s sweetness and the liqueur’s fragrant elements blend to give the flavour a hint of richness and depth.

Ice Cream or Sorbet: Serve the snow buns with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or fruit sorbet for an even more indulgent tasting experience. The combination of temperatures and textures will make every bite even more pleasant and satisfying.

Poppella, the pastry shop that conquered the heart of Naples

Poppella is the pastry shop that has conquered the heart of Naples thanks to its excellence in the field of pastry making. Located in the historic centre of the city, Poppella has become a point of reference for Neapolitans and tourists looking for authentic, high-quality desserts. The secret of Poppella’s success lies in its dedication to tradition and craftsmanship.

Each dessert is prepared with care and passion, using only fresh and genuine ingredients. Its croissants, rum baba, and puff pastries are famous throughout the city, but its true claim to fame is its snow buns, a unique treat that will leave any palette spellbound. The Poppella pastry shop is a place where tradition meets creativity, offering an unforgettable tasting experience to all those who visit there.

Do we have dessert recipes? Of course, yes!

5/5 (1 Review)
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