Go Back

Cenci, the traditional pastries of Carnival

Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Resting Time30 minutes
Total Time55 minutes
Course: Carnival, Desserts
Cuisine: Italian recipes
Servings: 4 people
Author: Nicola Bandini

Ingredients

  • 2 eggs
  • 2,5 cups cake pastry flour
  • 3 tbsp sugar
  • 2 tbsp liquor vermouth or vinsanto or grappa
  • 2/3 cups oil for frying peanut or corn or sunflower
  • 2 tbsp powdered sugar or caster sugar to garnish
  • 1 pince salt

Instructions

  • Put the flour into a bowl or on a wooden pastry board. Make a well in the center of the flour and pour all the eggs, salt, liquor, and sugar.
  • Mix all the ingredients with your hands to obtain a smooth dough that no longer sticks to your hands. In case, add a bit of flour to help you to stir it.
  • Let the dough rest, dusted with flour, under a towel for about 30 minutes.
  • Roll the dough out with a rolling pin (or with the pasta machine) until you obtain a really thin sheet of dough. Add a bit of flour in case you need. The thinner the dough is, the lighter Cenci will be once fried.
  • With a pastry wheel (or a knife), cut the pasta in stripes of about 3,5 inches long and 1,5 inches in width.
  • Heat the frying oil in a large pan. To be sure to have reached the right temperature, dip a piece of dough into the oil. When little bubbles come around the dough, the oil is ready.
  • Fry Cenci for about 20/30 seconds each side until they get a golden brown colour.
  • Pull Cenci out of the oil, drain off the oil lying them on a kitchen paper for a few minutes.
  • Dust them with the powdered sugar or with caster sugar.

Notes

Cenci are good to taste both warm andĀ cold.
Serve Cenci with a glass of sweet wine, Vin Santo or Martini Vermouth. They are so delicious.