Colazione Italiana

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup milk (warm)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dry yeast
• 1/4 cup butter (softened)
• Zest of 1 lemon
• Powdered sugar (for dusting)
• Optional: jam or Nutella for filling

Instructions:

1. Dissolve yeast in warm milk, add sugar, and let it sit for a few minutes until foamy.
2. In a bowl, mix flour, salt, lemon zest, and yeast mixture. Knead until a soft dough forms.
3. Roll out the dough and spread butter on it. Fold and roll several times to create layers.
4. Cut dough into triangles, roll each into a croissant shape, and let rise for 1-2 hours.
5. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden.
6. Dust with powdered sugar before serving. Optionally, fill with jam or Nutella.

2. Cappuccino:

Italian breakfast wouldn’t be complete without a cappuccino!

Ingredients:

• 1 shot of espresso
• 3/4 cup milk Instructions:

1. Brew a shot of espresso.
2. Steam milk until frothy and pour it over the espresso.
3. Optional: sprinkle with cocoa powder or cinnamon.
4. Fette Biscottate (Italian Toasted Bread)

This simple yet traditional breakfast item is often served with butter and jam.

Ingredients

• 6-8 slices of baguette or rustic Italian bread
• Olive oil or butter (optional)
• Jam, honey, or Nutella for topping Instructions

1. Toast the bread slices until golden and crispy.
2. Serve with butter, jam, honey, or Nutella.

4. Torta della Nonna (Grandma's Cake)

This custard-filled pastry is sometimes enjoyed for breakfast in Italy.

Ingredients
For the Dough:

• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, cold
• 1 egg
• Zest of 1 lemon

For the Custard:

• 2 cups milk
• 4 egg yolks
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pine nuts and powdered sugar for topping Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Combine flour, sugar, and butter for the dough, then add the egg and lemon zest. Knead until smooth.
3. Roll out the dough and line a baking pan with it.
4. For the custard, heat milk until warm. Whisk yolks, sugar, cornstarch, and vanilla, then add warm milk slowly.
5. Cook until thickened, then pour custard over the dough.
6. Top with pine nuts and bake for 35-40 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar when cool.
7. Pasticciotti (Cream-Filled Pastry)

A pastry from Southern Italy filled with a creamy custard.

Ingredients
For the Dough:

• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup butter
• 2 egg yolks
• Zest of 1 lemon

For the Custard:

• 2 cups milk
• 4 egg yolks
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• Vanilla extract