Rafioli with a Twist

Ingredients

• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (100g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed 1/2 cup (100g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 1 tablespoon orange zest 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 1 cup (100g) ground walnuts 1 cup (100g) ground walnuts
• 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Powdered sugar, for dusting Powdered sugar, for dusting

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 220 kcal / 920 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 14g, 6g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 21g, 7g
• Protein: 4g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 0.1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, cold butter cubes, granulated sugar, and salt. Use your fingertips to rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
2. 2.
   Add the egg, lemon zest, and orange zest to the mixture. Mix until the dough comes together. If the dough is too dry, add a tablespoon of cold water at a time until it reaches the right consistency.
3. 3.
   Divide the dough into two equal portions and shape them into discs. Wrap each disc in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
4. 4.
   In a separate bowl, combine the ground walnuts, granulated sugar, and ground cinnamon to make the filling.
5. 5.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
6. 6.
   Roll out one disc of dough on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of about 1/8 inch. Use a round cookie cutter to cut out circles of dough.
7. 7.
   Place a teaspoon of the walnut filling in the center of each dough circle. Fold the dough over the filling to form a half-moon shape and press the edges together to seal.
8. 8.
   Repeat the process with the remaining dough and filling.
9. 9.
   Place the filled pastries on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.
10. 10.
    Allow the rafioli to cool completely before dusting them with powdered sugar.
11. 11.
    Serve and enjoy these delightful Croatian rafioli!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Walnuts — Make sure to use ground walnuts for the filling to achieve a smooth texture.

Tips & Tricks

• For a variation, you can substitute the walnut filling with almond filling.
• Ensure the butter is cold when incorporating it into the dough to achieve a flaky texture.
• Dust the rafioli with powdered sugar just before serving to add a touch of elegance.
• Serve the rafioli with a cup of hot coffee or tea for a perfect pairing.
• Store the rafioli in an airtight container to maintain their freshness.

Serving advice

Serve the rafioli at room temperature to fully enjoy their flavors and textures.

Presentation advice

Arrange the rafioli on a platter and dust them generously with powdered sugar for an appealing presentation.