Struffoli Honey Balls

Struffoli, also known as Italian honey balls, are a traditional Neapolitan dessert with ancient roots dating back to Greek settlers in Southern Italy. The name “Struffoli” is believed to come from the Greek word strongulos, meaning “round,”. This reflects the dessert’s small, doughnut-like shape. These tiny fried dough are crisp on the outside and tender inside. Typically tossed in warm honey and decorated with colorful sprinkles and candied fruit. Struffoli honey balls are especially popular during Christmas in Naples and throughout Southern Italy, symbolizing abundance and good fortune. Passed down through generations, this festive treat is a cherished part of Italian holiday celebrations and family traditions.

Struffoli, also known as Italian Honey Balls, are a delightful treat commonly found adorning the holiday tables during Christmas and New Year celebrations. These tiny, golden dough balls are lovingly deep-fried to achieve their crispy texture and then generously soaked in honey, imparting a rich sweetness. To add a festive touch, they are beautifully topped with an array of vibrant multi-colored sprinkles, making them a joyous and mouthwatering holiday delicacy.

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Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 12 servings

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

• 5 cups all-purpose flour
• 6 large eggs (beaten)
• ¼ cup butter (melted)
• 4 tbsp sugar
• 6 cups Vegetable oil (deep frying)
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 tbsp white wine or rum
• tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp lemon zest

Honey glaze

• 2 cups honey
• 1 tbsp orange zest
• Colored sprinkles

Method

 

1. In a stand mixer, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, and lemon zest using the paddle attachment. Once the dry ingredients are mixed, add the beaten eggs, melted butter, vanilla extract, sugar, and wine or rum to the bowl. Mix all the ingredients together until well combined, forming a smooth and consistent batter.
2. Divide the dough into 6 equal sections and roll each section into ropes, about 1/2 inch in thickness. Afterward, cut the ropes into ½-inch squares and gently roll each square into small balls. If the dough is too sticky during this process, you can sprinkle some additional flour on your hands to make it more manageable. Place the formed balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and set them aside.
3. In a large, heavy pot, heat vegetable oil to a temperature of 350°F (175°C). Pour enough oil into the pot to reach a height of approximately 3 inches. To ensure accurate temperature, use an oil thermometer to monitor and maintain the oil at 350°F (175°C) before frying the Italian Honey Balls.
4. Carefully fry about 15 pieces of the dough at a time in the hot oil until they turn a beautiful golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to remove the fried dough pieces from the oil, allowing any excess oil to drain off, and place them on a sheet pan. Continue this frying process in batches until all the dough has been fried and drained.
5. Once all the dough pieces are fried and drained, transfer them to a clean bowl, ready to be soaked in the honey and adorned with festive sprinkles to create the delightful Struffoli.
6. In a separate large frying pan, gently heat the honey and orange zest over low heat until it simmers softly. Take ¼ of the fried struffoli at a time and add them to the warmed honey. Stir the fried balls gently to ensure they are evenly coated with the honey mixture. Repeat this process for the next batches of fried struffoli until all of them are coated.

   Arrange the honey-coated balls on a serving platter and pour any remaining honey mixture over the struffoli. To add a festive touch, top the struffoli with sprinkles of your choice. Now, your delectable Struffoli Italian Honey Balls are ready to be served and enjoyed!