Struffoli Honey Balls

Struffoli is a holiday favorite in Italy. I found this struffoli recipe on the nonnabox.com web site. I wanted to try to make a holiday recipe using the amazing local honey from Javelin Bee Products for the children I care for to enjoy on New Year’s Eve.

The web site explains that the authentic struffoli recipe calls for rolled dough balls of around 3/4 of an inch in diameter. The balls are deep fried until crisp or golden brown. It is also relatively sweeter than most pastries as it is drizzled with honey and topped with sugary decorations.

You Will Need:

1 cup Flour
lemon zest
1 orange zest
1.5 tbsp Sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking powder
2 ounces unsalted butter
2 eggs medium
1/3 tsp Vanilla Extract
1/2 tbsp rum or brandy
Vegetable or canola oil for frying
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tbsp lemon juice
Nonpareils Sprinkles
Confectioners Sugar

What to Do:

1. Mix the flour, lemon and orange zest, sugar, salt, and baking powder.

2. In a Food Processor mix the dry ingredients with butter. Blend until all the lumps of butter are almost gone. The mixture should resemble a coarse meal.

3. Slowly add the eggs and vanilla extract. Blend until the dough becomes something that resembles a big ball.

4. Cover the dough with a plastic wrap and keep in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.

5. Next, roll the dough into thick cords of about a quarter of inch thick. Cut the dough into portions of about half an inch and roll each into small balls. Each dough ball should be about the size of a regular hazelnut.

6. Lightly dust the dough balls with flour. Make sure to cover every one but make sure not to put too much flour.

Find the rest of the instructions on the nonnabox.com web site.

References:

Recipe by nonnabox.com
Photos by Stephanie Felzenberg