Get ready to meet Carnival Chocolate Chiacchiere: the traditional Chiacchiere but coated in rich, decadent chocolate. It’s Carnival time, and what better way to celebrate than with a delightful twist on a classic Italian treat?
Chiacchiere, known by various names across different regions, are an iconic symbol of the Carnival season in Italy. These crispy, light pastries have been a beloved treat for generations, embodying the flavors of Italian tradition.
The name “chiacchiere” literally translates to “chitchat” or “gossip,” perhaps hinting at the lively conversations that take place while indulging in these tasty morsels. These fritters are a beloved tradition in Italy, especially in regions like Rome, Venice, and Naples, where they’re a staple during the Carnival celebrations.
Whether you call them chiacchiere, frappe, sfrappole, crostoli, cenci, or bugie, these delectable pastries are sure to be an irresistible hit!
History of Carnival Chiacchiere
Let me tell you about the fascinating history of Carnival Chiacchiere. It’s an incredibly ancient tradition, you know? It all started back in Ancient Roman times, during the celebration of Saturnalia. It was a festival similar to our modern Carnevale, with lavish banquets, lively street parties, and a complete reversal of social norms.
One of the symbols of this period of excess was “frictilia” – a kind of fritter fried in pig fat that was handed out to the cheering crowds on the streets of Rome. Not a bad ancestor for our beloved fritters, right? A deliciously indulgent tradition that traces its roots all the way back to antiquity!
A Touch of Indulgence: Chocolate Chiacchiere
To make your Chiacchiere even more special, try the chocolate-coated version. Chocolate Chiacchiere add a touch of luxury to this classic dessert. The contrast between the crispy pastry and the rich, melted chocolate creates a unique taste experience that will delight both young and old.
The recipe I offer today comes from my family’s cookbook of kitchen notes. It is very easy and sure to succeed. I am confident you will enjoy it!
Ingredients for Chocolate Chiacchiere
To prepare delicious chocolate chiacchiere, these are the ingredients.
- 250 g all-purpose flour or flour 00 (2 cups plus 1 tbsp)
- 25 g butter, softened and cubed (¼ stick)
- 2 eggs
- 40 g sugar (3 tbsp plus 1 tsp)
- 5 g baking powder (2 tsp)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla powder
- A pinch of salt
- 1 tablespoon your favorite liquor
- 100 g dark chocolate (3½ oz)
How to Make Chocolate Chiacchiere: a Step-by-step Guide
Follow this simple step-by-step recipe and amaze your friends and family with a dessert that captures the essence of festive tradition, with a touch of originality.
Make the Dough.
Preparing chocolate chiacchiere is relatively simple and quick. To begin, in a medium-sized bowl, combine the sifted all-purpose flour and the softened, cubed butter. Next, add the sugar, eggs, sugar, baking powder, vanilla extract, salt, and liquor. Mix all the ingredients well until you have a thick, sticky dough.
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead by hand until you have a smooth, shiny ball. Dust with a little flour if necessary. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 1 hour.
Roll and Cut.
After the resting time, remove the dough from the refrigerator and divide the dough into 2–3 pieces so you can roll it out more easily. Roll out the first part into a very thin sheet, about 1 mm thick. The thinner the sheet, the crispier the chiacchiere will be. Using a pastry wheel cutter, cut the dough into strips about 5 cm wide (2 inch) and 7-10 cm long (3-4 inch) (1). In the center of each strip, make a vertical cut with a sharp knife, but don’t cut all the way through to the ends (2).
Repeat with the remaining parts of dough: you should get about 25–28 pieces.
Fried Cooking.
If you prefer the traditional cooking method, here’s how to fry up some delicious carnival fritters. Fry Chiacchiere in plenty of hot sunflower oil, flipping them over to ensure even cooking on both sides (3). As soon as they turn a beautiful light golden brown on the surface, transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate and gently blot away any excess oil.
A Lighter Alternative: Oven-Baked Chiacchiere
Arrange the chiacchiere on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 180 °C (356 °F) for about 15 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove the Frappe from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack at room temperature.
If you’re looking for a lighter way to enjoy this classic treat, oven-baked chiacchiere are the perfect solution. This version retains all the delicious flavors of the traditional recipe but with fewer calories from frying. The result? A crispy, delightful treat that allows you to indulge in the Carnival spirit without the guilt!
How to Decorate Chiacchiere with Dark Chocolate
Once cooled, it’s time to decorate your Chiacchiere with chocolate. Chocolate-coated chiacchiere are an irresistible variation of the traditional carnival fritters. Here are some tips for decorating them in a delicious and creative way.
Melt the chocolate over a double boiler, and drizzle the melted chocolate over the fritters, letting it drip off a spoon to create a thin stream. Create elegant zigzag or swirl patterns on the surface of your fritters. This method allows you to control the amount of chocolate precisely.
Alternatively, you can dip half of each fritter into the melted dark chocolate, creating an appealing visual contrast.
Once the chocolate has solidified, you can serve your Carnival Italian fritters.
Festive Decorations
While the chocolate is still soft, sprinkle the fritters with colorful sprinkles, chopped nuts, or shredded coconut for a carnival touch. The possibilities are endless!
The result? Irresistible chocolate fritters that will delight young and old alike!
Preparing Carnival Chocolate Chiacchiere: Tips and Tricks
- Prepare your Chiacchiere early in the morning, so you can enjoy them at their peak crispness throughout the day.
- The most commonly used liquors are anisette and rum, but you can use your favorite liquor. The liquor helps create bubbles during baking and gives the fritters a unique appearance and unparalleled crunchiness.
- For glazing, you can use your preferred chocolate, including milk or white chocolate.
- If you want to create lighter fritters, skip the chocolate glaze and dust them with powdered sugar instead.
How to Store Chiacchiere
You can store your Italian Carnival treat in a paper bag or a tin container for 5–6 days. Freezing is not recommended.
Carnival Chocolate Chiacchiere: the Grandma’s Recipe
Ingredients
- 250 g all-purpose flour
- 25 g butter softened and cubed
- 2 eggs
- 40 g sugar
- 5 g baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla powder
- A pinch of salt
- 1 tablespoon your favorite liquor
- 100 g dark chocolate
Instructions
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine the sifted all-purpose flour and the softened, cubed butter.
- Add the sugar, eggs, sugar, baking powder, vanilla, salt, and liquor. Mix all the ingredients well until you have a thick, sticky dough.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead by hand until you have a smooth, shiny ball. Dust with a little flour if necessary.
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 1 hour.
- After the resting time, remove the dough from the refrigerator and divide the dough into 2–3 pieces so you can roll it out more easily.
- Roll out the first part into a very thin sheet, about 1 mm thick. The thinner the sheet, the crispier the chiacchiere will be.
- Using a fluted pastry wheel, cut the dough into strips about 5 cm wide and 7-10 cm long. In the center of each strip, make a vertical cut with a sharp knife, but don’t cut all the way through to the ends.
- Repeat with the remaining parts of dough: you should get about 25–28 pieces.
- Fry Chiacchiere in plenty of hot sunflower oil, flipping them over to ensure even cooking on both sides.
- As soon as they turn a beautiful light golden brown on the surface, transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate and gently blot away any excess oil.
- Once cooled, it’s time to decorate your Chiacchiere with chocolate. Melt the chocolate over a double boiler, and drizzle the melted chocolate over the fritters, letting it drip off a spoon to create a thin stream. Create elegant zigzag or swirl patterns on the surface of the carnival fritters.
- Once the chocolate has solidified, you can enjoy your Chocolate Chiacchiere!
