Chocolate castagnole are a delicious variant of the classic castagnole, with a wonderful orange aroma. A simple and quick recipe because the dough is prepared in 5 minutes with the classic ingredients of this typical Carnival dessert, namely flour, sugar, butter, and egg. To these basic ingredients, we add cocoa powder, which will make the castagnole dark and delicious, chocolate chips, which will turn into the delicious and melting heart of the castagnole during frying, grated orange zest, and orange liqueur (for those who use it), which will give these fried treats a pleasant citrus aroma. From this dough, which is quickly made by hand, we make many balls to fry and roll in granulated sugar.
The preparation is very simple:
1. Make the dough: sift the flour with the baking powder in a large bowl. Add the sifted cocoa, sugar, orange zest, and liqueur. Mix to distribute the ingredients.
2. Incorporate the liquids: add the softened butter and the egg, then start kneading with your hands until you obtain a homogeneous mixture.
3. Add the chocolate chips and continue to knead until you form a compact dough. Wrap it in plastic wrap and let it rest in the fridge for at least 20 minutes.
4. Shape the castagnole: divide the dough and work it with your hands to form small logs. Cut them into pieces and shape them into balls. Place them on a tray.
5. Fry: heat the seed oil in a large pan to 338°F. Fry a few castagnole at a time, turning them for even cooking, until golden. It will take about 2-3 minutes.
6. Dry and roll in sugar: drain them on absorbent paper to remove excess oil, then roll them in granulated sugar while they are still hot so it sticks well.
7. Serve and enjoy: the chocolate castagnole are ready to be enjoyed!
Soft and crumbly just right, frying them correctly a few at a time in plenty of oil at 338°F, you will get dry chocolate castagnole with no trace of grease, just like chiacchiere or doughnuts, whether with potatoes or not. And for those who, even at Carnival, prefer a lighter cooking method, you can try baking them in the oven or in an air fryer, just like zeppole cooked in an air fryer.
And now we leave you with the step-by-step recipe for chocolate castagnole!
Also discover:
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Very Cheap
- Rest time: 20 Minutes
- Preparation time: 5 Minutes
- Portions: 20 Pieces
- Cooking methods: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Carnival
Ingredients for Making Chocolate Castagnole
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 4 tbsps butter
- 1/3 cup chocolate chips
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 tsps baking powder
- orange zest
- 2 tbsps orange liqueur
- 1 qt vegetable oil (for frying)
Tools for Making Chocolate Castagnole
- Bowl
- Pan
Steps
To prepare the chocolate castagnole, first sift the flour with the baking powder and pour it into a bowl.
Add the sifted cocoa powder and sugar.
Also add the grated orange zest and liqueur, then start mixing the ingredients together.
Add the softened butter cubes and the egg.
Knead all the ingredients with your hands and then finally incorporate the chocolate chips.
Work all the ingredients well until you get a firm and homogeneous dough. Wrap it in plastic wrap and let it rest for at least 20 minutes in the fridge.
Take a piece of dough and roll it with your hands to form a small log.
Break off many pieces and shape them with your hands to form balls. As they are ready, place them on a tray or a cutting board.
Pour the vegetable oil into a large pan and heat it to 338°F.
Dip a few chocolate castagnole at a time and fry them for a few minutes, then drain them and place them on a tray lined with kitchen paper.
Pour granulated sugar onto a plate and roll the castagnole in it while they are still hot. Cover them evenly.
The chocolate castagnole are ready to be enjoyed.
Storage and Tips
The castagnole are best when freshly made, but if you have leftovers, here’s how to store them:
At room temperature: in an airtight container, they remain soft for 1-2 days.
In the freezer: you can freeze them already cooked and reheat them for a few minutes in the oven.
If you want to bake them, preheat the oven to 356°F and bake for 15 minutes, turning them halfway through for even browning.
For an alcohol-free version, replace the liqueur with the same amount of orange juice.
For an alcohol-free version, replace the liqueur with the same amount of orange juice.
FAQ
Can I substitute butter with oil?
Yes, you can use 50 ml of vegetable oil, but butter gives a more crumbly texture.
How do I know if the oil is at the right temperature for frying?
If you have a kitchen thermometer, check that it reaches 338°F. Alternatively, dip a wooden skewer: if bubbles form around it, the oil is ready!
Can I use powdered sugar instead of granulated sugar?
Yes, if you prefer a finer coating, dust them with powdered sugar once cooled.
