Name: CASSADETTI
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Yield: 15
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 tsp vanilla extract; pinch of salt; ½ cup sugar; vegetable oil, for frying; 4 cups cake and pastry flour; ¼ cup + 2 Tbsp vegetable shortening (or lard); 1 cup cold water (approximate); all-purpose flour (for rolling); 1 lb ricotta cheese; icing sugar, for garnish

CASSADETTI

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Golden, crisp, and filled with creamy ricotta sweetness, these traditional fried Cassadetti pastries are a Sicilian-inspired delight. Made with tender pastry dough, lightly sweetened ricotta, and a touch of vanilla, they’re folded into half-moon shapes and fried to perfection before being dusted with icing sugar. Perfect for festive occasions or an indulgent treat, these pastries are deliciously simple yet irresistibly elegant.

By: Don Genova (via Ediblevancouverisland.ediblecommunities)

Original Publish: Nov 1, 2025

Last Updated: Mar 2, 2026

Prep: 20 mins

Cook: 40 mins

Yields: 15

Instructions

In a large bowl, use your fingers to rub the shortening into the flour until the mixture is evenly blended. In a separate bowl, mix the sugar, salt, and cold water. Make sure the sugar is dissolved before mixing with the flour.
Make a well in the flour and pour in the water/sugar mix. Pull the flour into the water mixture until you can form a ball. Knead lightly until smooth, then cover with plastic wrap and let rest for 15 minutes while you prepare the filling.