Maritozzi Sweet Yeast Buns With Cream

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm milk and sugar. Sprinkle the yeast over the mixture, stirring gently. Let it sit for about 10 minutes until the yeast is foamy.

2. Add the egg, softened butter, vanilla extract, and orange zest to the yeast mixture. Mix well until everything is fully incorporated.

3. Gradually add the flour and salt to the wet ingredients, stirring continuously until a soft dough forms.

4. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 10-15 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic.

5. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size.

6. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

7. Once the dough has doubled in size, punch it down and divide it into 12 equal portions. Shape each portion into a ball and place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each bun.

8. Cover the buns again with a kitchen towel and let them rise for an additional 30-45 minutes.

9. Bake the buns in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.

10. While the buns are baking, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form.

11. Once the buns are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack.

12. To assemble, slice each bun in half horizontally, spoon a generous amount of whipped cream onto the bottom half, and sandwich it with the top half.

13. Dust the assembled buns with powdered sugar for a beautiful finishing touch.