If you have a soft spot for festive sweets that bring both joy and tradition to the table, then you are going to absolutely adore this Struffoli – Italian Honey Balls Recipe. These irresistibly tiny, golden balls of dough are fried to perfection and then lovingly drenched in fragrant honey, crowned with sprinkles, and often nestled together in a beautiful mound or wreath. It’s a beloved Italian treat that bursts with delightful texture and flavor, making any celebration instantly brighter. Whether it’s Christmas time or you’re just craving something uniquely sweet, this recipe will quickly become your new favorite tradition.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Struffoli – Italian Honey Balls Recipe lies in its simple but carefully selected ingredients. Each one plays a key role, whether it’s the lemon zest for a fresh zing, the golden honey that brings everything together, or the soft butter for tender, melt-in-your-mouth dough.
- All-purpose flour: The base that gives structure to these tiny delights, plus a little extra for dusting to keep things neat.
- Granulated sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness to the dough.
- Lemon zest: Provides a bright, aromatic lift to enhance the honey’s warmth.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and allows other flavors to pop.
- Baking powder: Gives the dough a light and tender texture.
- Salted butter: Adds richness and helps create a tender crumb in the dough.
- Eggs: Bind the dough and contribute to the golden color.
- Vanilla extract: Adds a lovely fragrant depth that pairs perfectly with honey.
- Canola oil: For deep frying, creating that crisp exterior without overwhelming greasiness.
- Honey: The star ingredient that coats the dough balls, delivering sticky sweetness and shine.
- Granulated sugar (for honey mixture): Helps balance the honey and adds a little extra sweetness.
- Lemon juice: Brightens the honey glaze with a touch of acidity.
- Sprinkles: Adds festive color and a bit of crunch.
- Powdered sugar: Optional dusting for extra sweetness and presentation.
- Candied cherries and nuts: Classic garnishes that provide texture and bursts of flavor.
How to Make Struffoli – Italian Honey Balls Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Dough Base
Start by mixing together 2 cups of flour, sugar, lemon zest, salt, and baking powder in a large bowl. This dry mix is the backbone of your dough, setting the stage for those tiny little balls to come together with a perfect balance of flavor and texture.
Step 2: Add Butter and Eggs
Cut the softened butter into small chunks and add it to the dry ingredients, mixing until the mixture feels mealy. Then blend in the eggs and vanilla, which bring moisture, richness, and that delicate aroma to the dough. Knead briefly on a floured surface until smooth and elastic.
Step 3: Rest the Dough
Shape the dough into a ball, cover it, and let it rest at room temperature for one hour. This resting period is a small patience test but so worth it since the dough will relax and be easier to work with.
Step 4: Shape the Dough Ropes
Lightly dust your hands and work surface with flour to prevent sticking, then roll out the dough into strips about as wide as your index finger. From these strips, roll out ropes roughly ¼ inch thick.
Step 5: Cut and Separate into Small Pieces
Cut the ropes into ¼ inch marble-sized pieces. It’s easiest to line the ropes up and slice several at once. Make sure to keep the pieces separated so they don’t stick together before frying.
Step 6: Heat Oil and Fry
Heat the canola oil to 375°F, ensuring it’s hot enough to crisp the dough quickly without soaking up too much oil. Fry the dough balls in small batches to avoid overcrowding, turning them until golden on all sides. Drain on paper towels to keep them nicely crisp.
Step 7: Coat with Honey Mixture
In a large pot, gently boil honey, sugar, and lemon juice until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and stir the fried struffoli into this luscious honey glaze, turning gently so each little ball is perfectly coated.
Step 8: Assemble and Decorate
Arrange the sticky, golden balls into a festive wreath or mound on a serving plate. Sprinkle with colorful sprinkles, candied cherries, and nuts to give this treat that irresistible holiday charm.
How to Serve Struffoli – Italian Honey Balls Recipe
Garnishes
Traditional garnishes like bright, jewel-toned candied cherries, crunchy nuts, and vibrant sprinkles add both color and complementary textures. Powdered sugar dusted lightly over the top adds an elegant, snowy finish that is simply irresistible.
Side Dishes
Struffoli is often enjoyed on its own as a celebratory dessert, but it pairs beautifully with a rich, creamy dessert wine or a hot cup of espresso. It also makes a lovely sweet accompaniment to a holiday cheese platter, adding a touch of joyful sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
Try arranging your struffoli in a festive holiday wreath shape or a charming Christmas tree mound for a centerpiece that looks almost too good to eat. You could even serve it in individual glass jars layered with whipped cream or mascarpone cheese for a modern twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Struffoli stay delightfully fresh for several days stored in an airtight container at room temperature. The honey coating helps preserve their moisture while keeping the bite satisfyingly crunchy.
Freezing
If you want to prepare ahead, freeze the fried dough balls before coating with honey. Once frozen, store them in an airtight container. When ready to eat, gently warm them and then toss with honey for fresh-from-the-kitchen taste.
Reheating
For reheating, warm coated struffoli briefly in a low oven to refresh their crispness without melting the honey glaze too much. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the texture soggy.
FAQs
What is struffoli?
Struffoli are small, fried dough balls traditional to Italian cuisine, especially served around Christmas. They are coated in honey and decorated with colorful sprinkles, embodying festive flavors and a delightful crunch with every bite.
Can I use a different type of oil for frying?
Yes, you can use oils with high smoke points like vegetable or peanut oil, but canola oil is preferred because it has a neutral flavor and produces a crisp finish.
How long do struffoli keep fresh?
Stored properly in an airtight container, struffoli can stay fresh for up to a week, making them perfect for making ahead during the holidays.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
This traditional Struffoli – Italian Honey Balls Recipe uses all-purpose flour, which contains gluten. For a gluten-free version, specialized gluten-free flour blends might work, but results can vary.
Can I make the dough without a standing mixer?
Absolutely! While a standing mixer speeds up mixing, this dough is easy to prepare by hand with a bit of elbow grease. Just mix until combined, then knead on a floured surface.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly heartwarming about making and sharing this Struffoli – Italian Honey Balls Recipe. It’s a dish that brings people together with its sweetness, simplicity, and festive spirit. Whether you’re revisiting a cherished tradition or discovering it fresh, I encourage you to give this recipe a try — it promises smiles, sticky fingers, and moments worth savoring.
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Struffoli – Italian Honey Balls Recipe
- Prep Time: 60 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 120 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
Struffoli are traditional Italian honey balls that are delightfully crispy on the outside and soft inside, rolled in sweet honey and adorned with colorful sprinkles. This festive treat is perfect for celebrations and holiday gatherings, offering a perfect balance of citrus, sweetness, and crunch.
Ingredients
Dough Ingredients
- 2 1/2 Cups all purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
- 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 Teaspoons lemon zest
- 1/2 Teaspoon salt
- 1/2 Teaspoon baking powder
- 2 Tablespoons salted butter (softened)
- 3 eggs
- 1 Teaspoon vanilla extract
For Frying
- 4 Cups canola oil (enough for deep frying, about 2 inches in pot)
Honey Coating
- 1 Cup honey
- 2 Teaspoons granulated sugar
- 1 Teaspoon lemon juice
For Garnish
- 4 Tablespoons sprinkles
- Powdered sugar (optional)
- Candied cherries (optional)
- Nuts (optional)
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine 2 cups of flour, granulated sugar, lemon zest, salt, and baking powder to create an evenly mixed dry base.
- Add Butter and Eggs: Cut the softened butter into small chunks and mix into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Then, blend in the eggs and vanilla extract thoroughly using a stand mixer or by hand.
- Knead Dough: Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 2 to 3 minutes until smooth and elastic. Shape into a ball, cover, and let it rest at room temperature for 1 hour.
- Prepare to Shape: Lightly dust your hands and work surface with flour to prevent sticking as you work with the dough.
- Roll and Cut Dough: Roll out the dough and cut it into strips roughly as wide as your index finger. Roll these strips into ropes about 1/4 inch thick.
- Cut into Pieces: Slice the ropes into marble-sized pieces about 1/4 inch long, separating them on the surface to prevent sticking during cooking.
- Heat Oil: Heat canola oil in a pot to 375°F, ensuring the oil is hot enough for quick frying without absorbing excess oil.
- Fry Dough Balls: Fry the dough balls in small batches, turning frequently with a slotted spoon until they turn golden brown on all sides, about a couple of minutes per batch. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
- Prepare Honey Coating: In a large pot, gently boil together honey, sugar, and lemon juice until melted and smooth. Remove from heat.
- Coat Struffoli: Add the fried dough balls to the honey mixture and gently stir until all pieces are evenly coated.
- Assemble and Garnish: Arrange the coated struffoli into a wreath shape or mound resembling a Christmas tree on a serving plate. Sprinkle with sprinkles and optionally dust with powdered sugar, decorated with candied cherries and nuts if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Ensure oil temperature is maintained at 375°F for optimal frying results and crispiness.
- Resting the dough improves elasticity and makes it easier to roll and cut.
- Use a slotted spoon to avoid excess oil when removing struffoli from the frying oil.
- Variations can include adding orange zest or anise for different flavors.
- Struffoli are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for 2 days.
