Best 7 Strufoli Italian Honey Balls Recipes

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STRUFFOLI ITALIAN HONEY BALLS



Struffoli Italian Honey Balls image

Struffoli Italian Honey Balls, delicious crunchy pastry balls covered in honey, a traditional Italian Christmas dessert recipe from Naples.

Provided by Rosemary Molloy

Categories     Dessert

Time 40m

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 2/3 cups flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
pinch salt
5 3/4 tablespoons butter ((melted))
1 zest orange
2 3/4 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons Grand Marnier or Orange Juice
3 eggs
10 1/2 ounces honey
sprinkles
slivered almonds

Steps:

  • In a large bowl whisk together the flour, the baking powder and the salt, then add the butter, orange zest, sugar and Grand Marnier (or orange juice), start to combine with a fork until crumbly.
  • Add the eggs one at a time and mix to combine, when almost combined move the mix to a lightly floured flat surface add an extra 1 - 1/2 tablespoons flour and knead together to form a soft dough. Cover with a clean tea towel and let rest 30 minutes.
  • Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and roll into thin ropes 1/4 inch in diameter. Cut to make small cubes and roll each cube into a ball slightly smaller than a marble. Try to make them all the same size.
  • In a medium pot add 2-3 inches of oil and heat to 350°F add the struffoli (in batches) turning a couple of times and when golden drain on a paper towel lined plate and let cool.
  • While struffoli are cooling in a large pan on low / medium heat, heat the honey until warm and slightly watery. Add the cooled struffoli and mix to coat, then sprinkle with sprinkles and slivered almonds.
  • Then form the honey balls into desired shape, dome, donut (see video)** pyramid. It is best to oil the glass before placing it in the middle of the plate. Let the finished Struffoli sit until the honey solidifies (approximately 1 1/2 - 2 hours) and then serve. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 303 kcal, Carbohydrate 54 g, Protein 5 g, Fat 8 g, SaturatedFat 4 g, Cholesterol 66 mg, Sodium 78 mg, Sugar 28 g, ServingSize 1 serving

STRUFFOLI O CICERCHIATA (ITALIAN HONEY DOUGH BALLS)



Struffoli o Cicerchiata (Italian Honey Dough Balls) image

This traditional Italian sweet has different names in different regions: Struffoli in Naples area, which are among the most popular Christmas sweets; Cicerchiata in Abruzzi region, where you cannot miss them during Carnival time. The concept is simple: fried sweet dough balls, coated in caramelized honey. Tasty and long lasting, as you can make them at the beginning of the holiday season and offer them to friends and relatives coming over for holiday wishes. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. Garnish with candied orange or lemon peel if desired.

Provided by lacucinadinadia

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Italian

Time 57m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 11

4 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
4 eggs
5 ½ tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 egg yolk
½ lemon, zested
½ teaspoon rum extract
1 pinch salt
1 ½ (12 ounce) jars honey
vegetable oil for frying
¼ cup sugar sprinkles, or to taste

Steps:

  • Mix flour, eggs, butter, sugar, egg yolk, lemon zest, rum extract, and salt together in a large bowl to create a soft dough. Cover with plastic wrap; let stand for 30 minutes.
  • Roll dough into a thin log the width of your pinky finger, about 1/4 inch. Cut log into small pieces; roll into balls. Dust with flour to prevent from sticking.
  • Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan. Place a few balls of dough in a sieve to shake off excess flour. Cook in the hot oil until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate using a slotted spoon. Repeat with remaining balls of dough.
  • Pour honey into a saucepan over low heat. Cook until a small amount of honey dropped into cold water forms a soft ball. Add fried balls of dough to the hot honey; stir gently with a wooden spoon until coated.
  • Rinse a serving plate and shake off the water. Pile dough balls onto the serving plate in the shape of a dome or ring using damp hands or a damp wooden spoon. Garnish with sugar sprinkles. Let cool completely.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 635.7 calories, Carbohydrate 110.8 g, Cholesterol 111.7 mg, Fat 19.1 g, Fiber 1.8 g, Protein 9.3 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, Sodium 94 mg, Sugar 65.4 g

STRUFOLI - ITALIAN HONEY BALLS RECIPE - (3.8/5)



Strufoli - Italian Honey Balls Recipe - (3.8/5) image

Provided by ldijoe

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 1/2 cup flour
4 eggs
1 egg yolk
1/4 cup shortening melted
1/2 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
dash salt
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
2 cups oil for frying
1 1/2 cups honey
1 teaspoon orange zest
colored non-pareils

Steps:

  • 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 dough balls rest about 20 minutes, covered with clean towel. Heat oil in deep pot. Oil should be at a temperature of 350°F. Drop the balls, a few at a time into the hot oil. 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 the float around in there for about 30 seconds. Take them out of the honey with a slotted spoon, placing them on a platter, piling hem into a conical shape. Sprinkle with non-pareils while the honey is still warm.

STRUFFOLI | ITALIAN HONEY BALLS RECIPE



Struffoli | Italian Honey Balls Recipe image

Struffoli Italian honey balls are small fried balls of dough, caramelized in honey and decorated with rainbow sprinkles and candied fruit. Struffoli is a typical Italian dessert for Christmas that in December you can find in every home and Italian pastry shop.

Provided by Recipes from Italy

Categories     dessert recipes

Time 1h

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 12

400 g (3 cups) of flour
3 medium eggs
80 g (1/3 cup) of unsalted butter
40 g (2 3/4 tablespoons) of granulated sugar
2 tablespoons of aniseed liquor
zest of 1 orange
1/2 teaspoon of baking powder or baking soda (optional)
1/4 teaspoon of salt
600 ml (2 1/2 cups) of seed oil for frying
250 g (3/4 cup) of Wildflower or Acacia honey
Rainbow Sprinkle Toppings
Candied fruit

Steps:

  • Melt the butter in a double boiler and let it cool. In a large bowl, mix together the flour with the baking powder and a pinch of salt.
  • Add sugar, melted butter, the liquor, eggs and the orange zest. Mix the ingredients with the help of a wooden spoon.
  • Continue to knead with your hands, until you get a homogeneous dough, free of lumps. Wrap the dough in cling film and let it rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
  • After the resting time, cut the dough into equal parts. With your flat hands, roll each piece on the work surface as if to make a cylinder about 1 cm (about 1/2 inch) thick.
  • Slice the roll of dough with the help of a small knife into many pieces of 1 cm (1/2 inch) in size. You can leave your Sruffoli in small pieces or give them the shape of balls by rolling them between the palms of your hands.
  • Fry Struffoli few at a time turning them a couple of times. In 30-40 seconds they will be ready. Drain them with a skimmer and place on a serving dish, covered with absorbent kitchen paper.
  • In a saucepan that can contain all the struffoli, pour almost all the honey and some rainbow sprinkles. Heat over very low heat, stirring with a wooden spoon. This step is to make the honey more liquid and more malleable.
  • Turn off the heat and add the struffoli. Add one more tablespoon of sprinkles and mix all together. When all the Struffoli are wrapped in honey and sprinkles, immediately transfer them, still hot, to a serving dish.
  • Give them the shape you prefer, for example the classic pyramid or the classic donut shape that resembles a Christmas wreath!

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 100 g, Calories 377 cal

STRUFFOLI



Struffoli image

Provided by Giada De Laurentiis

Categories     dessert

Time 4h12m

Yield 8 to 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

2 cups flour, plus extra for dusting
1 large lemon, zested (about 2 teaspoons)
1/2 large orange, zested (about 2 teaspoons)
3 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 stick (2 ounces) unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces, at room temperature
3 large eggs
1 tablespoon white wine, such as pinot grigio
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Canola oil, for frying
1 cup honey
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 1/2 cups hazelnuts, toasted (see Cook's Note)
Vegetable oil cooking spray
Sugar sprinkles, for decoration
Powdered sugar, for dusting, optional

Steps:

  • For the dough: In the bowl of a food processor, pulse together 2 cups of flour, lemon zest, orange zest, sugar, salt, and baking powder. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture resembles a coarse meal. Add the eggs, wine, and vanilla. Pulse until the mixture forms into a ball. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  • Cut the dough into 4 equal-sized pieces. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each piece of dough until 1/4-inch thick. Cut each piece of dough into 1/2-inch wide strips. Cut each strip of pastry into 1/2-inch pieces. Roll each piece of dough into a small ball about the size of a hazelnut. Lightly dredge the dough balls in flour, shaking off any excess. In a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, pour enough oil to fill the pan about a third of the way. Heat over medium heat until a deep-frying thermometer inserted in the oil reaches 375 degrees F. (If you don't have a thermometer a cube of bread will brown in about 3 minutes.). In batches, fry the dough until lightly golden, about 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. (The rested and quartered dough can also be rolled on a floured work surface into 1/2-inch thick logs and cut into equal-sized 1/2-inch pieces. The dough pieces can then be rolled into small balls and fried as above).
  • In a large saucepan, combine the honey, sugar, and lemon juice over medium heat. Bring to a boil and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is dissolved, about 3 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat. Add the fried dough and hazelnuts and stir until coated in the honey mixture. Allow the mixture to cool in the pan for 2 minutes.
  • Spray the outside of a small, straight-sided water glass with vegetable oil cooking spray and place in the center of a round platter. Using a large spoon or damp hands, arrange the struffoli and hazelnuts around the glass to form a wreath shape. Drizzle any remaining honey mixture over the struffoli. Allow to set for 2 hours (can be made 1 day in advance). Decorate with sprinkles and dust with powdered sugar, if using. Remove the glass from the center of the platter and serve.

ITALIAN HONEY BALLS (PIGNOLATA OR STRUFFOLI)



Italian Honey Balls (Pignolata or Struffoli) image

Make and share this Italian Honey Balls (Pignolata or Struffoli) recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Vicki in CT

Categories     Candy

Time 1h15m

Yield 30 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
canola oil
1 cup honey
1 cup sugar
1 cup whole almond

Steps:

  • Mix dough ingredients well. Knead on floured board. Let dough rest for a while.
  • Roll dough into 1/4 inch thick pieces.
  • Cut dough into 1/4 strips and roll thin (thinner than a pencil).
  • Cut off pieces of rolls making tiny pieces (smaller than peas).
  • Deep fry in oil. Drain well on paper towels.
  • Meanwhile heat honey and sugar. Boil for 15 minutes.
  • Stir hot syrup into dough pieces. Stir in almonds.
  • Using finger tips dipped in ice water carefully pour mixture onto board. Make into individual size cirles (golf ball size).
  • Warning this is very hot so use cooled fingers and spatula to shape but you must work quickly as it hardens quickly.
  • Some put sprinkles on top but that is optional.

STRUFFOLI (HONEY BALLS)



Struffoli (Honey Balls) image

Struffoli are fried balls of dough soaked in a boiling honey glaze. Struffoli are an Italian specialty, oftentimes served around Christmas and Easter. I used Southern Belle Honey in this recipe, and the cookies just melted in your mouth. Killer Bee Honey would provide a similar result (although the name of the honey goes against the kindly spirit of Christmas!). For a super-sweet cookie, you could try using Orange Blossom Honey, but you might find some of the flavor of this lighter honey is lost when it boils.

Provided by oilpatchjo

Categories     Dessert

Time 43m

Yield 60 balls, 60 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

6 eggs
1 tablespoon sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vegetable oil
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon lemon rind
1 quart vegetable oil (for frying)
1/8 cup flour (for dusting)
1/8 cup candy sprinkles
1 1/2 cups honey
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 cup water
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
2 ounces slivered almonds, for topping

Steps:

  • Beat together eggs, sugar, and oil until foamy. Add flour and baking soda slowly while kneading. Knead the dough until it forms a smooth ball.
  • Divide into 8 smaller balls. Roll each ball into a rope 1/2 inch across, and cut into pieces 1/3-1/2 inch long. Flour each piece lightly to prevent them from sticking together. Fry dough in oil at 375 until golden brown and puffy. Drain well. Arrange fried dough in a tray or mixing bowl.
  • Prepare Honey Glaze, and pour over fried dough turn dough until evenly coated with Honey Glaze.
  • Honey Glaze directions:.
  • Boil liquid ingredients until thick remove from heat, and pour over cake.
  • Arrange in a pyramid on a serving plate, and cover with candy sprinkles or slivered almonds.
  • Cool before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 188.7, Fat 15.6, SaturatedFat 2.1, Cholesterol 18.6, Sodium 10.7, Carbohydrate 11.7, Fiber 0.3, Sugar 7.2, Protein 1.4

Tips

  • Use a candy thermometer to ensure the honey syrup reaches the correct temperature.
  • If you don't have a candy thermometer, you can test the syrup by dropping a small amount into a glass of cold water. If the syrup forms a soft ball, it is ready.
  • Be careful not to overcook the syrup, as it will become bitter.
  • Let the syrup cool slightly before adding the honey balls, as the hot syrup can cause them to break apart.
  • Use a slotted spoon to remove the honey balls from the syrup, and let them drain on a wire rack before serving.

Conclusion

Struffoli are a delicious and festive Italian dessert that are perfect for any occasion. They are easy to make and can be customized to your liking. Whether you prefer them plain or with nuts or sprinkles, struffoli are sure to be a hit with your family and friends.

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