Love Story for Breakfast

The best start of the day? Maritozzo. The name of this sweet morning treat that satisfied Romans for centuries is coming from the Italian word for husband, or marito, and is associated with the marriage proposal. In the 19th century men would propose on the first Friday of March by presenting their future brides with an engagement ring hidden inside a maritozzo. 

“Prague is one of the most romantic cities in the world and so I had to bring this recipe to CottoCrudo. A bun made of fluffy dough, sliced and filled with delicious whipped cream – what is not to like? It is very easily addictive,” says Marco Veneruso, Executive Chef of Four Seasons Hotel Prague.

Maritozzo

• 10 g yeast
• 500 g flour
• 75 g sugar
• 125 g softened butter
• 7 g salt
• 5 g honey
• 15 g of lemon and orange zest
• 2 eggs
• 175 ml milk
• Fresh whipped cream

In a wide bowl, dissolve the yeast in water and set aside 10 minutes. Add 50 grams of the flour and combine to create a smooth paste. Cover and let rest 15 to 20 minutes in a warm spot where it should create plenty of bubbles.

Mix the dough by combining the yeast mixture with the rest of the flour, sugar, softened butter, salt and honey, then leave for an hour to rise at room temperature, to approximately double in size.  As an option, you can leave the dough in the refrigerator for 12 hours after it has risen, or continue with the recipe immediately.

Preheat the oven to 160 C / 325 F. Carefully knead the dough, adding the lemon or orange zest.  Portion the dough into balls of approximately 50g.  Whisk the eggs and milk and brush each dough ball before baking for 11 minutes.

Once the buns are cool, slice across and fill with fresh whipped cream to create a “smile.”