Sospiri di Monaca, also known as “Nun’s Sighs,” are delightful Italian pastries with a soft, airy texture and a sweet, delicate flavor. Here’s a traditional recipe for these lovely treats:
Ingredients
For the Pastry:
- 4 large eggs
- 100g (1/2 cup) granulated sugar
- 100g (1 cup) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp lemon zest (optional)
For the Filling:
- 200ml (3/4 cup) heavy cream
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Topping:
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 180Β°C (350Β°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare the Pastry:
- In a large bowl, beat the eggs and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
- Gently fold in the flour, vanilla extract, and lemon zest (if using) until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Transfer the batter into a piping bag fitted with a round nozzle.
- Pipe and Bake:
- Pipe small mounds of batter onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 10-12 minutes, or until the pastries are lightly golden and spring back when touched.
- Allow them to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Prepare the Filling:
- In a medium bowl, whip the heavy cream with the powdered sugar and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
- Assemble the Pastries:
- Once the pastries are cooled, cut them in half horizontally.
- Pipe or spoon a generous amount of the whipped cream filling onto the bottom half of each pastry, then replace the top half.
- Finish and Serve:
- Dust the filled pastries with powdered sugar before serving.
Enjoy your Sospiri di Monaca with a cup of coffee or tea!
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