Fluffy Maritozzo Italian Rolls: Sweet Vanilla Cream Recipe

Nestled in the heart of rome, maritozzo stands as a beloved pastry that captures the essence of Italian breakfast culture.

These soft, pillowy maritozzo Italian rolls filled with vanilla cream promise a delightful culinary journey through traditional flavors.

Sweet yeasted dough, carefully crafted and gently brushed with sugar glaze, creates a tender canvas for rich, silky cream.

Each bite whispers stories of roman bakeries and morning café moments.

Delicate yet indulgent, these rolls melt seamlessly on your tongue with creamy vanilla perfection.

The recipe brings a slice of Italian passion directly to your kitchen.

You’ll fall in love with this simple yet remarkable treat that transforms an ordinary morning into something extraordinary.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 2 hours (including rise time)

Cook Time: 16 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Calories: 460 kcal

Servings: 9

Maritozzo – Italian Rolls Filled with Vanilla Cream Ingredient List

• Flour: Provides the structural foundation, choose high-protein bread flour for better texture and rise.
• Yeast: Biological leavening agent that helps dough expand, select fresh active dry yeast for optimal fermentation.
• Butter: Adds richness and tender crumb, use high-quality unsalted butter at room temperature for smooth incorporation.
• Sugar: Feeds yeast and provides subtle sweetness, select fine granulated sugar for even distribution.
• Milk: Enhances dough softness and helps activate yeast, use whole milk for richer flavor.
• Eggs: Contribute richness and help bind ingredients, select fresh large eggs at room temperature.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides delicate aromatic undertone, choose pure vanilla extract for authentic flavor.
• Salt: Balances flavors and controls yeast activity, use fine sea salt for precise seasoning.

• Water: Creates light sugar solution for glazing, use filtered water for clean taste.
• Sugar: Creates sweet glossy coating, select refined white sugar for smooth consistency.

• Whipping Cream: Creates luxurious creamy filling, select cold heavy cream with high fat content.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes cream, choose fine-textured sugar for smooth blending.
• Vanilla Pudding Powder: Helps thicken and stabilize cream, select high-quality instant vanilla pudding mix.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances cream's aromatic profile, use pure vanilla extract for authentic flavor.

Tools You’ll Need to Shape Maritozzo – Italian Rolls with Vanilla Cream

• Stand Mixer: Essential for kneading dough and whipping cream with its powerful kneading and whisk attachments.
• Baking Tray: Flat surface for placing and rising rolls before baking.
• Parchment Paper: Prevents rolls from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
• Small Saucepan: Perfect for making sugar syrup.
• Piping Bag or Plastic Baking Card: Used for filling rolls with smooth vanilla cream.
• Work Surface: Clean area for shaping and dividing dough.
• Whisk Attachment: Helps create smooth and stable whipped cream.
• Pastry Brush: Needed for applying egg wash and syrup to rolls.
• Mixing Bowls: Useful for preparing different components of the recipe.

How to Make Maritozzo – Italian Rolls Filled with Vanilla Cream

• Dough Preparation

Create a soft, pillowy base using a stand mixer. Blend flour, yeast, butter, sugar, milk, eggs, vanilla, and salt into a smooth mixture. Knead until the dough feels silky and elastic.

• First Rise

Let the dough rest and grow, transforming into a puffy ball. Cover and allow it to double in size, which takes about 1-2 hours in a warm spot.

• Shaping Rolls

Divide the expanded dough into 12 adorable little spheres. Place them gently on a baking tray, giving each roll space to breathe and grow again.

• Baking Magic

Warm the oven and carefully brush the risen rolls with beaten egg. Bake until they turn a gorgeous golden brown, creating a beautiful crispy exterior.

• Sweet Syrup Bath

Create a light sugar solution and lovingly coat the hot rolls. This adds a delightful glossy shine and extra sweetness.

• Creamy Filling

Whip up a luxurious vanilla cream that’s light and dreamy. Use a mixer to blend whipping cream, sugar, and vanilla until perfectly smooth.

• Final Assembly

Carefully slice each roll and generously fill with the luscious cream. Dust with a snowfall of powdered sugar for a stunning finish.

Vanilla Cream Tips for Maritozzo Rolls

• Take time while kneading the dough to develop gluten and create a soft, stretchy texture that ensures tender maritozzo rolls.
• Maintain a warm, draft-free environment during proofing to help the dough rise evenly and develop rich flavor complexity.
• Chill the whipping cream and mixing bowl beforehand to help the vanilla cream whip faster and hold its shape more effectively.
• Use a sharp knife when slicing the rolls to create clean, even openings without crushing the delicate dough structure.
• Experiment with different extracts like almond or orange zest to add unique twists to the traditional vanilla cream filling.

Serving Italian Maritozzo Rolls for Brunch or Dessert

• Breakfast Bliss Companion: Pair these delightful maritozzo with a steaming cappuccino or rich espresso for an authentic Italian morning experience.
• Sweet Morning Celebration: Serve these rolls as a special weekend breakfast treat for family gatherings, creating memorable moments around the table.
• Dessert Transformation: Convert maritozzo into an elegant dessert by adding fresh berries or a drizzle of chocolate sauce on top of the cream-filled rolls, elevating their presentation and flavor profile.
• Picnic Perfect Delight: Pack these portable treats in a basket for outdoor adventures, making them an ideal sweet snack during park outings or countryside excursions.

Storing Maritozzo – Italian Rolls Filled with Vanilla Cream

• Smart Storage Strategies: Refrigerate filled maritozzo in an airtight container for 2-3 days, keeping cream fresh and rolls soft.
• Quick Cream Care: Store vanilla cream separately in sealed container within refrigerator for up to 48 hours before filling rolls to maintain texture and quality.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare dough and freeze unbaked rolls for future enjoyment, thawing at room temperature and allowing second rise before baking for convenient preparation.
• Temperature Tactics: Keep finished maritozzo away from direct sunlight and heat sources, maintaining cool environment to prevent cream from melting and ensuring optimal taste and presentation.

Dreamy Maritozzo

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4.6 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Sweet Roman maritozzo buns showcase classic Italian pastry craftsmanship with delicate cream-filled rolls. Pillowy dough and rich vanilla filling invite passionate bakers to explore delightful Roman culinary traditions.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 500 g (3 ½ cups) all-purpose flour
• 160 ml (⅔ cup) lukewarm milk
• 100 g soft butter (cubed)
• 70 g (⅓ cup) sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 11 g (2 tsps) active dry yeast
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 pinch of salt
• 500 ml (2 cups) very cold whipping cream
• 40 g (⅓ cup) powdered sugar
• 30 g (3 tbsps) vanilla instant pudding powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 80 ml (⅓ cup) water
• 70 g (⅓ cup) sugar
• 1 beaten egg
• Powdered sugar for dusting

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Instructions

1. Dough Preparation: Blend flour, yeast, butter, sugar, milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and salt in a stand mixer until a smooth, elastic dough forms with consistent texture.
2. First Proofing: Cover the dough and allow it to rise in a warm space until volume doubles, typically 1-2 hours.
3. Shaping: Divide the risen dough into two logs, slice each into six pieces, and gently shape each piece into round balls on a parchment-lined baking tray with adequate spacing.
4. Second Proofing: Let the shaped rolls expand for approximately 30 minutes, allowing them to become puffy and light.
5. Sugar Syrup Creation: Dissolve sugar in water, bring to a gentle boil, then cool to room temperature for brushing.
6. Baking Preparation: Heat the oven to 170°C and brush the proofed rolls with beaten egg for a golden finish.
7. Baking Process: Bake the rolls until they transform into a rich, golden color, approximately 12-16 minutes.
8. Syrup Glazing: While warm, generously brush the freshly baked rolls with the prepared sugar syrup for added moisture and shine.
9. Cream Preparation: Whip cold cream with powdered sugar, vanilla pudding powder, and vanilla extract until achieving a thick, stable consistency.
10. Final Assembly: Once cooled, slice rolls carefully, maintaining an intact base, then pipe the vanilla cream generously inside and dust with powdered sugar.
11. Serving: Present the maritozzo immediately to savor their ultimate freshness and delightful flavor.

Notes

• Dough Handling: Knead the mixture thoroughly to develop gluten, ensuring a soft and elastic texture that’s crucial for authentic maritozzo.
• Rising Technique: Place dough in a warm, draft-free area to guarantee proper fermentation and optimal volume expansion.
• Shaping Precision: Create uniform balls by gently rolling each piece with minimal pressure to maintain delicate air pockets.
• Cream Stability: Use cold cream and whip at medium speed to prevent over-beating, which can cause separation and compromise the filling’s smooth consistency.

• Prep Time: 2 hours (including rise time)
• Cook Time: 16 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 460
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 56 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg