Zeppole

Directions

1. 1
   In a medium-size saucepan, combine the butter, salt, and sugar with 1 cup water and bring to a boil.
2. 2
   Remove from the heat, and add all the flour at once.
3. 3
   Stir vigorously to blend well.
4. 4
   The mixture will form a dough.
5. 5
   Return the pan to the burner, turn the heat to medium, and stir the dough for another minute.
6. 6
   Remove from the heat.
7. 7
   Add the eggs, one at a time, to the flour mixture, beating well with a hand-held mixer until incorporated.
8. 8
   In a medium-size saucepan or skillet, pour the oil to a depth of 1 inch, and heat it to 375F.
9. 9
   Take two teaspoons and dip them into the hot oil to coat.
10. 10
    Then, with one spoon, scoop out a walnut-size piece of dough and carefully drop it into the hot oil, helping to scrape it off with the other spoon.
11. 11
    Quickly repeat, dropping in more scoops of dough.
12. 12
    Do not crowd the pan because the dough pieces will double or triple in size as they cook.
13. 13
    Fry for about 6 minutes, until the zeppole have grown in size, cracked a bit, and are nicely browned.
14. 14
    Drain on paper towels.
15. 15
    Repeat with the remaining dough, keeping the oil at 375F.
16. 16
    Mix the confectioners sugar and cinnamon together and place in a sifter.
17. 17
    Sift the cinnamon sugar over the zeppole.
18. 18
    Serve them hot or warm.
19. 19
    They cannot be made in advance.