Desserts > Italian > Pastry > Sfogliatelle

Creamy Lemon Sfogliatella Recipe

Ingredients with Measurements:
- 1 package (16 oz) puff pastry, thawed
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 1 egg, beaten
- Powdered sugar for dusting

Special equipment needed:
- Rolling pin
- Pastry brush
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a medium bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, mascarpone cheese, powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest until smooth and creamy.

3. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the puff pastry into a rectangle about 1/8 inch thick.

4. Cut the pastry into 6-inch squares.

5. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the cheese mixture onto one half of each square.

6. Fold the other half of the pastry over the filling and press the edges together to seal.

7. Brush the tops of the pastries with the beaten egg.

8. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the pastries are golden brown and puffed.

9. Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes.

10. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.


Time:
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 20-25 minutes
Temperature:
375°F (190°C)
Serving size:
6 servings

Nutritional information:
Calories: 420
Fat: 29g
Carbohydrates: 33g
Protein: 8g
Sodium: 190mg

Substitutions for ingredients:
- You can use cream cheese instead of mascarpone cheese.
- You can use orange juice and zest instead of lemon juice and zest.

Variations:
- Add chopped nuts or dried fruit to the cheese mixture for extra texture and flavor.
- Drizzle melted chocolate over the pastries before serving.

Tips and tricks:
- Make sure the puff pastry is fully thawed before using.
- Don't overfill the pastries, or they may burst open during baking.
- Use a sharp knife to cut the pastry into squares.

Storage instructions:
Store the pastries in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheating instructions:
Reheat the pastries in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5-10 minutes, or until heated through.

Presentation ideas:
Serve the pastries on a platter with a dusting of powdered sugar and a sprig of fresh mint.

Garnishes:
- Fresh berries
- Whipped cream
- Lemon slices

Pairings:
- Hot tea or coffee
- Sparkling wine

Suggested side dishes:
- Fresh fruit salad
- Mixed greens salad with vinaigrette dressing

Troubleshooting advice:
- If the pastries burst open during baking, try using less filling next time.
- If the pastries are not golden brown after 20 minutes, bake for an additional 5-10 minutes.

Food safety advice:
- Make sure the cheese mixture is fully cooked before filling the pastries.
- Store the pastries in the refrigerator to prevent spoilage.

Food history:
Sfogliatella is a traditional Italian pastry that originated in Naples. It is made with layers of flaky pastry and filled with a sweet ricotta cheese mixture.

Flavor profiles:
This recipe has a sweet and tangy flavor from the lemon and creamy texture from the cheese filling.

Serving suggestions:
Serve the pastries as a dessert or a sweet breakfast treat.

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Region: Italian

Taste: Creamy, Lemon, Sweet, Tart, Rich