Ingredients
Doughnuts:
- 4 ounces (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 eggs
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest (from 1 lemon)
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Glaze:
- 1/4 cup whipping cream
- 1 tablespoon coffee liqueur (recommended: Kahlua)
- 2 teaspoons espresso powder
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- Water, as needed
- 1 (3-ounce) chocolate bar, optional
- 1 cup raspberries, optional
Directions
For the doughnuts: In a medium saucepan, combine the butter, water, sugar, and salt over medium heat. Bring to a rolling boil, stirring occasionally. Boil for 10 seconds. Remove the pan from the heat and add the flour. Using a wooded spoon, quickly stir the mixture until all the flour is fully incorporated and forms a thick dough. Return the pan to the heat and stir continuously for 2 minutes. Scrape the mixture into a stand mixture fitted with a paddle attachment. With the machine running on medium speed, add the eggs and egg yolk, 1 at a time until fully incorporated. Beat the mixture for 4 to 5 minutes until thick and glossy. Add the lemon zest and beat until smooth. Refrigerate the dough for 15 minutes.
For the glaze: In a medium bowl, whisk together the cream, coffee liqueur, and espresso powder until smooth. With a wooden spoon, gradually stir in the powdered sugar until smooth. If the glaze is too thick, stir in the water, 1/4 teaspoon at a time.
In a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, pour in enough oil to fill the pan about a third of the way. Heat over medium heat until a deep-frying thermometer inserted in the oil reaches 375 degrees F. (If you don't have a thermometer a cube of bread will brown in a couple of minutes.)
Using a small ice cream scoop or 2 small spoons, carefully drop scoops (about 1 tablespoon) of the dough into the oil. (Do not crowd the pan,) Cook for 3 to 3 1/2 minutes, turning occasionally, until the zeppole are golden and puffed. Drain on paper towels. Repeat until all of the dough has been used. When the zeppole is cool enough to handle, dip the top halves in the glaze.
Using a hand grater, grate the chocolate, if using, over serving plates. Place 3 to 4 zeppole on each plate and garnish with fresh raspberries, if using. Serve immediately.
1 Video | Photo: Coffee-Glazed Italian Doughnuts (Zeppole) Recipe

















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By cwshorty_11937827
Philadelphia, PA
on March 25, 2013
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Made these last night and had to use 2 spoons, while the dough was pretty easy to make I found it alittle hard to control when dropping in the oil, all of mind had tails on them, also added extra sugar. I didn't make the glaze, instead I sprinkled powder sugar over them, my family thought they tasted more like funnel cake.
By mrssimptom
Estes Park, CO
on March 21, 2013
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I realize that when you are talking doughnuts and cream puffs, you seldom mention calories in the same conversation. I'm an older lady and don't really need or care for fried foods anymore. But I do love cream puffs! I borrowed two ideas from this recipe and I'm in heaven. I incorporated a tiny bit of lemon zest in my basic cream puff recipe and then shamelessly stole this coffee glaze for them. Please do yourself a favor and give it a try.
By frankota
Santa Cruz, CA
on March 03, 2013
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These are so delicious! I subsituted 2 tablespoons of super-strong espresso for the liqueur and powder combined, and it worked out really well. I would recommend these to anyone.
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