Pignolata di Messina (Two-Glaze Fried Dough Mound)

Nov 3, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Baking Pastries doughnuts Medium

Pignolata di Messina (Two-Glaze Fried Dough Mound)

Small fried dough pieces piled into a mound and coated in a white lemon glaze on one side and a chocolate glaze on the other. Makes 16 servings in about 3 hr 20 min.

Prep 60 min

Cook 20 min

Cooling 2 hr

Total 3 hr 20 min

Servings 16

Ingredients

Adjust yield

servings

2 ⅓ cups (300 g)all-purpose flour
2 (100 g)eggs
1 (18 g)egg yolk
2 tbsp (30 g)softened butter
1 ½ tbsp (20 g)sugar
1 ½ tbsp (20 ml)grappa or rum
1lemon zest, grated
1 pinchsalt
4 ¼ cups (1000 ml)oil for frying
1 ⅔ cups (200 g)powdered sugar
1 oz (35 g)pasteurized egg white
1 tbsp (15 ml)lemon juice
7 oz (200 g)dark chocolate, chopped
½ tbsp (10 g)butter

Fresh ingredient guides

LemonsHow to pick, season & nutrition · 24 kcal per 84 g

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Instructions

Mix the flour, eggs, yolk, butter, sugar, grappa, zest and salt into a firm dough. Wrap and rest in the refrigerator 2 hours.
Roll small pieces into ropes about 1/2 inch (1 cm) thick and cut into 1/2-inch pieces.
Heat the oil to 340 F (170 C). Fry in small batches 3 to 4 minutes until golden, then drain on paper towels and cool.
Stir the powdered sugar, egg white and lemon juice into a thick lemon glaze.
Melt the chocolate and butter in a bowl over simmering water until smooth.
Pile the fried pieces into a mound on a platter, coat one half with the lemon glaze and the other half with the chocolate. Let set.

Tips

Cut pieces the same size so they cook evenly.
Use pasteurized egg white for the lemon glaze.
Glaze while the dough is completely cool.
Fry with a thermometer at 340 F (170 C); use pasteurized egg white in the uncooked glaze.

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Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make pignolata di messina (two-glaze fried dough mound)?

Plan on 60 minutes of prep and 20 minutes of cooking, plus 2 hours to chill. The recipe makes 16 servings.

How should I store pignolata di messina (two-glaze fried dough mound)?

Store airtight at room temperature up to 4 days.

Can I make pignolata di messina (two-glaze fried dough mound) ahead?

Yes. It needs time to chill and set, so it is a good one to make the day before you serve it.

A Sicilian carnival sweet from Messina, glazed half in lemon and half in chocolate. Serve it with sweet dessert wine.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 16 servings this recipe makes.

233 Calories / serving

11.1g Fat

30.0g Carbs

3.2g Protein

15.2g Sugar

Whole recipe (16 servings): ~3728 cal · 178g fat · 480g carbs · 51g protein · 243g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.