STRUFFOLI (ITALIAN CHRISTMAS HONEY BALLS)

These are the little golden balls of dough drizzled with honey and non-pareils that you see at every true Italian’s house around the Christmas holidays.

They are addicting!!

Taste best warm but can be stored in air-tight containers for up to 3 days.

Video Recipe:

SERVES:15

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 1/2 c flour
• 4 eggs
• 1 egg yolk
• 1/4 c shortening
• 1/2 T sugar
• 1 T baking powder
• dash salt
• 1/2 t. lemon zest
• 2 C vegetable oil for frying
• 1 1/2 C honey
• 1 t orange zest
• colored non-pareils

METHOD

• Place flour on board, making a well in the center.
• Place eggs, egg yolk, shortening, sugar, salt and lemon peel into the well.
• Mix well, working the dough with your hands.
• Shape into very small balls, the size of marbles.
• Let the dough balls rest about 15-20 minutes, covered with damp paper towels, while you heat the oil in a deep stock pot.
• Drop the balls, a few at a time into the hot oil (350 degrees) until golden brown.
• They’ll float, just turn them around a bit for even browning.
• Melt honey in a saucepan and add orange zest.
• As soon as the balls are fried, take them from the oil directly to the honey pot.
• Let them float around in there for about 30 seconds.
• Lift them out of the honey with a slotted spoon, placing them on a serving platter, piling them into a conical shape.
• Sprinkle with non-pareils while the honey is still warm.