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    Home » Recipes » Italian Desserts

    Zeppole di San Giuseppe (St. Joseph's Pastries)

    Published: Mar 15, 2022, Last updated: Mar 15, 2022 by Emily This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Zeppole di San Giuseppe are delicious Italian pastries made to celebrate the Feast of Saint Joseph. Choux pastry filled with Crema Pasticcera (pastry cream) and topped with amarena cherries. They look fancy but are fairly simple to make and taste incredible!

    A close up of Italian Zeppole choux buns filled with pastry cream and a cherry on top sitting on a blue and white plate.

    March 19th is a day to celebrate in Italy. It's both Saint Joseph's Day also known as the feast of Saint Joseph and Father's Day.

    Bakeries are filled with lots of delicious treats to celebrate the occasion and one that's impossible to miss is Zeppole di San Giuseppe!

    They're made with choux pastry, filled with the most delicious smooth and creamy Crema Pasticcera (pastry cream) and topped with cherries soaked in syrup, so delicious!

    These Italian Zeppole come in two variations; baked or fried. Our recipe will show you how to make the baked version which is really easy, lighter and last for longer too.

    See the recipe below including notes on ingredients, step by step photos, tips, variations and a video tutorial. For the full printable recipe scroll to the bottom or click the recipe link below

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients - what you need
    • Step by step photos and recipe instructions
    • Recipe tips and FAQs
    • 📖 Full Recipe
    • More Italian desserts to try

    Ingredients - what you need

    See the photos below that shows you everything you need to make our Zeppole di San Giuseppe recipe plus some important tips on ingredients!

    An overhead shot of all the ingredients you need to make Zeppole di San Giuseppe (Italian pastries).
    • Butter - make sure to use unsalted!
    • Flour - you can use Italian 00 flour or all-purpose flour.
    • Sugar - use caster sugar (fine sugar) if possible.
    • Eggs - use large eggs.
    • Cherries - traditionally cherries soaked in syrup are used such as Fabbri amarena cherries.
    An overhead shot of all the ingredients you need to make Crema Pasticcera (Italian pastry cream)
    • Milk - the milk must be full fat, don't use low or half fat.
    • Vanilla - we used vanilla bean paste but vanilla extract or a whole vanilla bean can also be used.
    • Cornstarch (known as corn flour in the UK) - this is an important ingredient for thickening the custard.
    • Citrus peel - the peel of a lemon or orange is optional but gives the pastry cream a delicious flavour.

    Step by step photos and recipe instructions

    Preparation Tips!

    • Make a batch of Italian Pastry Cream before starting the zeppole (instructions in the recipe card below).
    • Pre-heat the oven to 190C (375F).
    • Line a large baking tray with parchment paper.

    Step 1) Heat the water and sugar until the sugar has dissolved then add the butter and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil then turn down low (photo 1-3).

    Step by step photos showing how to make choux pastry

    Step 2) add the flour and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until a dough has formed and it comes away from the sides easily (photos 4-6).

    Four grid collage photos showing choux pastry being made

    Step 3) Transfer the dough to a clean bowl then add a little bit of egg at a time whilst stirring letting the egg fully absorb between each addition. The dough should be smooth and sticky (photos 7-10).

    Step by step photos showing how to pipe zeppole and what they look like baked

    Step 4) Add the dough to a piping bag with a star nozzle and pipe 3 inch sized zeppole onto a lined baking tray. Bake at 190C (375F) for 10 minutes then turn down to 170C (340F) for 30 minutes (photos 11-12).

    Two photos showing how to fill zeppole with pastry cream and top with a cherry

    Step 5) Let the zeppole cool completely then cut in half and fill with pastry cream. Pipe more pastry cream on the top and top each one with a cherry (photos 13 & 14).

    Recipe tips and FAQs

    • Cooking the pastry - it's important to cook the dough (while stirring) for at least 5 minutes so enough water gets a chance to evaporate. If you don't do this the dough will be too runny once the egg is added and will be hard to pipe.
    • Tip for piping the zeppole dough - think of it as if you are frosting a cupcake, you pipe it into a ring and overlap it in the middle.
    • Different filling options - you can flavour your pastry cream with citrus zest, alcohol such as limoncello or strega or vanilla. You can also go for a chocolate version and use our Chocolate Pastry Cream (Crema al Cioccolato).
    My choux pastry is too runny, what do I do?

    If your pastry is too runny and can't be piped it's likely that it hasn't been cooked for long enough before the egg was added. If enough water hasn't evaporated the mixture will be too wet. Unfortunately, you can't add more flour to choux pastry. You'll need to make another half batch of dough without adding more eggs and add that into the wetter mixture or start again.

    How long do they last?

    Zeppole shells will last for up to 3-4 days. Filled zeppole will keep well in the fridge for up to 2 days.

    A close up of an Italian pastry cut in half and filled with pastry cream sitting on a blue plate.

    If you’ve tried these Zeppole di San Giuseppe or any other recipe on the blog then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW US on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST or sign up to our NEWSLETTER to see more of our delicious food

    📖 Full Recipe

    Step By Step Photos AboveMost of our recipes come with step by step photos, helpful tips and tricks to make it perfectly first time and even video!
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    A close up of a Zeppole (Italian pastry) topped with custard and a cherry on top sitting on a blue plate
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    Zeppole di San Giuseppe

    Zeppole di San Giuseppe are delicious Italian pastries made to celebrate the Feast of Saint Joseph. Choux pastry filled with Crema Pasticcera (pastry cream) and topped with amarena cherries.
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine Italian
    Prep Time 30 minutes
    Cook Time 50 minutes
    Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
    Servings 8 zeppole
    Calories 307kcal
    Author Emily Kemp

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup Italian 00 flour or all purpose flour (140g)
    • 3 oz butter (85g)
    • 1 teaspoon sugar
    • 4 large eggs
    • 1 pinch fine salt
    • ¾ cup water (170ml)
    • 8 cherries soaked in syrup such as Fabbri

    For the custard

    • 5 large egg yolks
    • â…“ cup sugar (70g)
    • ¼ cup cornstarch (30g)
    • 2.5 cups full-fat milk (590ml)
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla paste or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • Peel of 1 lemon or orange optional

    Equipment

    • Piping bag and star nozzle

    Instructions

    To make the Crema Pasticcera (custard)

    • Heat the milk, vanilla and citrus peel if using in a saucepan until boiling them turn off immediately to avoid it overflowing.
    • In a large bowl mix the egg yolks and sugar together until combined then mix in the cornstarch.
    • Remove the citrus peel then slowly pour the milk into the egg a little at a time whilst whisking until thoroughly combined. Transfer the mixture back to the saucepan and heat it on medium-low.
    • Stir the mixture until thickened (about 10 minutes) if lumps appear, turn the heat lower and use a whisk. It should be thick enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon.
    • Once thick, transfer the mixture to a clean bowl and cover with plastic wrap (cling film). Make sure to place it directly on top of the custard so a skin doesn’t form.
    • Set aside to cool completely.

    To make the Zeppole

    • Pre-heat the oven to 190C (375F). Line a large baking tray with parchment paper.
    • Put the water and sugar in a large saucepan and heat until the sugar has dissolved. Once dissolved, add the butter and a pinch of salt and bring to a boil.
    • Turn the heat down low and add the sifted flour to the butter mixture. Mix it vigorously with a wooden spoon until a dough had formed and is no longer sticking to the edges. Make sure to cook the dough whilst stirring for at least 5 minutes.
    • Turn off the heat and transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl. Mix the egg into the dough a third at a time making sure the egg is fully absorbed before adding more egg. The dough should be smooth and sticky.
    • Transfer the dough to a piping bag with a star nozzle and pipe the zeppole in a ring overlapping it in the middle (as you would frost a cupcake) about 3 inches in size. Make sure to pipe them 2 inch apart.
    • Bake them in the oven at 190C (375F) for 10 minutes then turn the heat down to 170C (340F) for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool completely on a cooling rack.

    Fill the Zeppole

    • Once cooled, add the custard to a piping bag (we used a star nozzle but any will do). Cut the zeppole in half and fill them with custard. Top each zeppole with a little more custard and top each one with a cherry.

    Notes

    • Cooking the pastry - it's important to cook the dough (while stirring) for at least 5 minutes so enough water gets a chance to evaporate. If you don't do this the dough will be too runny once the egg is added and will be hard to pipe.
    • Tip for piping the zeppole dough - think of it as if you are frosting a cupcake, you pipe it into a ring and overlap it in the middle.
    • Different filling options - you can flavour your pastry cream with citrus zest, alcohol such as limoncello or strega or vanilla. You can also go for a chocolate version and use our Chocolate Pastry Cream (Crema al Cioccolato).
    • Storage - Zeppole shells will last for up to 3-4 days. Filled zeppole will keep well in the fridge for up to 2 days.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 307kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 235mg | Sodium: 140mg | Potassium: 193mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 671IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 125mg | Iron: 2mg
    Helpful Info for All Recipes
    • I always use extra virgin olive oil in all of my recipes unless stated otherwise
    • When I use canned or jarred tomatoes of any kind I always use Cirio or Mutti brands for the best results and flavour.
    • All vegetables are medium sized unless stated otherwise
    • All recipes are tested and developed using a fan (convection) oven
    • Find out more about how nutrition is calculated.
    • Check out our must have Italian Pantry Staples.
    • You can also find all our Essential Kitchen Tools for Italian Cooking.
    Did you try this recipe?Mention @insidetherustickitchen or tag #insidetherustickitchen! We'd love you see what you're getting up to in the kitchen!

    More Italian desserts to try

    • Chocolate Budino (Budino al Cioccolato)
    • Torta Caprese (Flourless Italian Chocolate Cake)
    • Cenci di Carnevale (Chiacchiere, Crostoli, Bugie) Italian Fried Pastries
    • Ricotta doughnuts

    More Italian Desserts

    • Italian Nutella Cookies (Nutellotti)
    • Cuccidati (Italian Fig Cookies)
    • Soft Amaretti Cookies (Amaretti Morbidi)
    • Irresistible Chocolate Tiramisu

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Carmela

      May 07, 2022 at 7:37 pm

      Tried your St Joseph Zepoli and they turned out great!! Thanks for this beautiful r

      Reply
      • Emily

        May 09, 2022 at 9:46 am

        So happy you enjoyed them! 🙂

        Reply
    2. Noreen

      March 16, 2022 at 5:18 am

      St Joseph’s Day is my birthday. I will be 68 years young! My Nana made an alter every year in honor of him. Looking forward to trying this for sure! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Emily

        March 16, 2022 at 10:56 am

        Happy Birthday for when it comes, I hope you have a lovely day! Enjoy the zeppole 🙂

        Reply

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