Sfinci Sicilian sweets, the Carnival recipe

It's time to start thinking about Carnival sweets : the Sicilian sfinci recipe is one of them. Sweet pancakes very soft inside and golden and slightly crunchy outside, they constitute an irresistible temptation for Sicilians and non-Siculians. Also known as sphinxes or sphinxes , they are made with simple ingredients which, skilfully combined with each other - by hand or with the Thermomix - give an exceptional result.

How to make the sfinci of Carnival, recipe

As anticipated, it is an easy recipe of poor origin that does not require any particular precautions. Here's what it takes to bring mouth-watering Messina-style sfinci to the table at Carnival 2021 .

Sicilian Carnival Sfinci, ingredients

Given the small number of ingredients required, these must be very fresh. Starting with eggs , an essential component of this all-Sicilian Carnival dessert that many remember preparing by their grandmothers. Then there is lard, which today many prefer to replace with butter.

• 250 g of flour
• 6 eggs
• 300ml of water
• 1 tablespoon of lard or butter
• 1/2 tablespoon of sugar
• grated lemon zest
• 1 pinch of salt
• Seed oil for frying

Preparation of Sicilian sfinci with eggs

1. Pour the water together with the lard , sugar and salt into a saucepan. Place it over the flame and bring to a boil.
2. Remove from the flame and add the sifted flour all at once. Mix everything well and put it back on the flame. Continuing to mix, thicken the mixture until it is well dried.
3. Turn off the flame and let it cool down, then add the eggs, one at a time and as they are absorbed. Also add grated lemon zest .
4. Work the dough very well (grandmothers did it by hand directly in the bowl, since the mixture is still quite fluid).
5. Heat seed oil deep in a pan suitable for frying .
6. With oiled hands, take small portions of dough and give them the shape of a ball.
7. Delicately immerse them in the oil and, with the handle of a greased wooden spoon, create a hole in their centre. Fry a few sfinci at a time and until completely browned , being careful to turn them often to favor it.
8. Drain them on a plate covered with absorbent kitchen paper and let them cool.
9. Sprinkle them with icing sugar and cinnamon if you like, or dip them in fluid honey heated in a pan with orange zest.

Here they are, the sfinci ready, Sicilian pancakes with a unique flavor made practically with three ingredients , according to the original recipe.