Nonna Mary's Ciambella
A traditional Italian ring-shaped sweet bread made with butter, lemon zest, and simple ingredients. This golden-brown ciambella has a tender crumb and delicate lemon flavor.
Ingredients
- •3 cups all-purpose flour
- •¾ cup sugar
- •2 tablespoons whole milk
- •2 whole eggs
- •1 tablespoon baking powder
- •¼ teaspoon salt
- •12 tablespoons unsalted butter
- •1 whole lemon zest
- •1 whole egg yolk
Cooking Instructions
- 1.
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F on the regular bake setting
10 min
- 2.
2. Put the flour, sugar, milk, and 2 eggs in the bowl of a food processor. Add the baking powder and salt, taking care not to put one on top of the other or the salt may inhibit the action of the baking powder. Cut the butter into at least a dozen pieces. Add the butter and lemon zest to the other ingredients and pulse until a dough forms.
10 min
- 3.
3. Transfer the dough to a counter and knead it gently until you obtain a smooth ball. Shape the dough into a loaf about 12 inches long and 3 inches wide. Place it on a baking sheet that has been buttered and floured or lined with a nonstick baking mat. Place the egg yolk in a small bowl. Add 2 teaspoons water, and whisk. Make 4 or 5 shallow diagonal cuts on top of the dough and brush the surface with the yolk mixture.
15 min
- 4.
4. Bake for 35 minutes. The ciambella is ready when it is golden brown and feels fairly firm when prodded.
35 min