Maritozzo

Dating back to ancient Rome, maritozzi are traditional Italian sweet buns that are sliced in half, then stuffed with whipped cream. In Rome's pastry shops, maritozzi are a staple, usually bought for breakfast and eaten with coffee on the side. They're made with yeast, flour, eggs, sugar, butter, salt, fresh cream, and optional ingredients such as lemon and orange zest, candied orange peel, raisins, and pine nuts. The name of these buns, maritozzi, meaning almost-husband, refers to the young grooms-to-be who gave these sweet buns to their fiancées. In the past, maritozzi were the only sweets that were allowed to be consumed during Lent.