How to make Italian Christmas Honey Balls

Here is the Italian Christmas Honey balls or Struffoli. 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:

SERVING: 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
• 1t orange zest
• colored non-pareils

METHOD:

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

BUON MANGIATA!