Giada'S Zeppole - cooking recipe

Ingredients

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

Preparation

Cut open vanilla bean lengthwise.
Using back back of a knife, scrape out the vanilla seeds.
Add seeds to 1/2 cup sugar and 2 tsp cinnamon, stirring to combine; set aside.
In a medium saucepan, combine butter, salt, 3 tbsp sugar and water over medium heat.
Bring to a boil.
Take pan off the heat and stir in the flour.
Return pan to heat and stir continuously until mixture forms a ball, about 3-5 minutes.
Transfer flour mixture to a medium bowl.
Using an electric hand mixer on low, add eggs, 1 at a time, blending each well.
Beat until smooth.
If not using dough immediately, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
Meanwhile pour enough oil into a large fry pan to reach a depth of 2 inches.
Heat oil over medium heat until temp reaches 375\u00b0F.
Using a small ice cream scooper or 2 small spoons, carefully drop about a tablespoon of the dough into the hot 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.
Serve immediately.