Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Struffoli - Italian Christmas Fritters



Struffoli or honey balls are a traditional dessert in Naples around Christmas. These treats are served after Christmas dinner but I like to make them anytime of the year. Even though I have never been to Italy, there are many Italians in Brazil and I found this recipe while browsing my first recipe notebook. The dough balls are fried, sizzled with honey and sprinkles and then piled to form a cone or wreath. Serve them after Christmas dinner. Easy and yummy, and you can make them in advance.

Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas!

Struffoli
2 eggs
4 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 tablespoon limoncello (rum or brandy)
2 tablespoons butter
Grated zest of one orange (or lime)
1 2/3 cups sifted all purpose flour

Oil for deep frying

1 cup honey
Colored sprinkles and pignole nuts.

1) In a large bowl whisk together eggs, sugar, rum and butter until foamy. Add orange zest and baking powder. Add flour and knead until it forms a soft dough. Let it rest covered for half an hour in the fridge.

2) Divide dough into 4 pieces. Roll each piece into a 1/2 inch thick rope. Using a sharp knife, cut the rope to obtain half-inch balls.

3) Deep-fry the balls, 6 to 8 at a time until they are light golden brown. Turn them regularly. Drain on paper towel.

4) Heat honey in a saucepan and coat struffoli. Pile onto a serving dish and decorate with sprinkles and pignole nuts.

7 comments:

Abby said...

Merry Christmas to you, too! And I hope you have a happy, blessed New Year!

Anonymous said...

Delicious!

Merry Christmas!

Paz

Anonymous said...

Abslolutelu yummy looking.

Merry Christmas!

Anonymous said...

YUM!!! Those look so good.

Tangled Noodle said...

Ola Cris! Manigong Bagong Taon (Happy New Year in Tagalog)! Our visit to the Philippines was wonderful but I'm also happy to be back and blogging. Saw this recipe - looks wonderful. It actually reminds me of the dessert my mother ordered for our Noche Buena/Christmas Eve party. Now I have a recipe to make it for myself!

Thistlemoon said...

That looks beautiful Cris - so wonderfully arranged and those silver sprinkles bring me back to my childhood!

Happiest new Year to you and your family!

Mansi said...

aah! these look absolutely divine Cris!

as for guava curd, sorry, haven't heard or tasted it ever:( but I bet it would be similar to Lime curd...so I'm gonna go search it up:)