Zeppole (Fried Italian Doughnuts) - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 vanilla bean
1/2 cup sugar, plus
3 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
1/2 cup butter
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup water
1 cup all-purpose flour
4 eggs
olive oil, for frying

Preparation

Cut open the vanilla bean lengthwise. Using the back of a knife, scrape along the inside of the vanilla bean to collect the seeds. Scrape vanilla bean seeds into a small bowl.
Add the 1/2 cup sugar and cinnamon and stir to combine. Set aside.
In a medium saucepan combine the butter, salt, 3 tablespoons of sugar, and water over medium heat. Bring to a boil.
Take pan off the heat and stir in the flour. Return pan to the heat and stir continuously until mixture forms a ball, about 3 to 5 minutes.
Transfer the flour mixture to a medium bowl.
Using an electric hand mixer on low speed, add eggs, 1 at a time, incorporating each egg completely before adding the next. Beat until smooth.
If not frying immediately, cover with plastic wrap and reserve in the refrigerator.
Meanwhile, pour enough oil into a large frying pan to reach a depth of 2 inches. Heat the oil over medium heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 375 degrees F.
Using a small ice-cream scooper or 2 small spoons, carefully drop about a tablespoon of the dough into the hot olive oil, frying in batches.
Turn the zeppole once or twice, cooking until golden and puffed up, about 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
Toss with cinnamon-sugar. Arrange on a platter and serve immediately.