Rose di Carnevale (Carnival Roses): the ASMR Recipe for Traditional Italian Flower-Shaped Fritters!

Forget the ordinary donut shapes! These Rose di Carnevale Fritters are a tasty twist to the classic donut. The recipe is similar to Venetian carnival fritters (frappe)…. golden pillows of dough transformed into fun flower shapes. These fritters are ideal as a delightful appetizer to impress your guests or a fun and unique dessert for a summer potluck. The fritters are made with a light and airy batter using everyday ingredients like flour, eggs, sugar, and a hint of lemon zest. But instead of fritter blobs, cookie cutters are used to create flower shapes that are then fried until golden. With Rose di Carnevale Fritters, you can surprise your guests (and your taste buds) with a unique and flavorful dish that's both beautiful and delicious.

What Are Fried Flower-Shaped Fritters?

This recipe is inspired by the classic Italian sweet fritters called Rose di Carnevale. Rose di Carnevale are sweet fritters shaped like roses. They're made with a light and airy dough that's fried until golden brown. The "rose" shaping is achieved by using varying sizes of a flower-shaped cookie cutter. The shapes are stacked on top of each other before frying. Once fried, their shape turns into a rose.

The Rose di Carnevale likely emerged sometime during the festive season of Carnival, which takes place before Lent in Italy.  They're traditionally filled with sweet ingredients like jam, marmalade, chocolate, or lemon curd.  A generous dusting of powdered sugar adds the finishing touch, creating a delightful textural contrast between the crisp exterior and the soft, sweet interior.

Tips

• Use high-quality all-purpose flour for a light and airy texture. Avoid overworking the dough, as this can lead to tough fritters.
• Ensure your oil reaches a temperature between 350°F (175°C) and 375°F (190°C) before frying. Oil that's too cool will result in greasy fritters, while oil that's too hot will burn them.
• Avoid overcrowding the pan. This can lower the oil temperature and lead to soggy fritters. Fry them in small batches for even cooking and a beautiful golden brown color.
• Line a plate with paper towels to drain excess oil after frying. This ensures crispy fritters that are not greasy.

Can I Use A Different Type Of Flour?

While all-purpose flour is preferred for its light and airy texture, you can substitute some of it with whole wheat flour for added fiber. However, using whole wheat flour might result in a denser fritter.

What Can I Use If I Don't Have Grappa?

Grappa is optional, but you can substitute it with another type of alcohol like rum or brandy, or simply omit it altogether.

My Fritters Are Too Greasy! What Went Wrong?

This could be due to a few factors. The oil might not have been hot enough, resulting in the fritters absorbing too much oil. Alternatively, you might have overcrowded the pan, lowering the oil temperature.

My Fritters Are Not Rising!

This could be due to overworking the dough, which activates the gluten and makes it tough.

How Can I Reheat Leftover Fritters?

While reheating won't quite recapture the fresh-out-of-the-fryer texture, you can refresh leftover fritters by placing them on a baking sheet and warming them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes.

How to Store Fried Flower-Shaped Fritters

Leftover fritters can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.

How To Make Fried Flower-Shaped Fritters

Step 1

Step 1

Sift the flour into a bowl.

Sift the flour into a bowl.

Step 2

Step 2

Add the lemon zest and sugar, and whisk to combine.

Add the lemon zest and sugar, and whisk to combine.

Step 3

Step 3

Add in eggs, butter, water, and grappa.

Add in eggs, butter, water, and grappa.

Step 4

Step 4

Mix the ingredients, then knead until smooth. Cover and allow to rest in the fridge for 30 minutes.

Mix the ingredients, then knead until smooth. Cover and allow to rest in the fridge for 30 minutes.

Step 5

Step 5

Roll out the dough and press flower shapes out of the dough.

Roll out the dough and press flower shapes out of the dough.

Step 6

Step 6

Use three different shapes in varying sizes.

Use three different shapes in varying sizes.

Step 7

Step 7

Place the three shapes on top of each other, and press in the middle to help them stick together.

Place the three shapes on top of each other, and press in the middle to help them stick together.

Step 8

Step 8

Fry the flowers in hot oil until golden brown and cooked through.

Fry the flowers in hot oil until golden brown and cooked through.

Step 9

Step 9

Pipe custard on top of the fried flowers.

Pipe custard on top of the fried flowers.

Step 10

Step 10

Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve.

Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve.