Prep Time: 45 min
Total Time: 90 min
Yield: 8
Struffoli is a traditional Neapolitan dessert typically enjoyed at Christmas. These chickpea-sized fried dough balls are coated in a fragrant honey and orange syrup. Light and airy on the inside, and perfectly crisp on the outside, they carry a subtle hint of orange and lemon. Struffoli symbolizes wealth and is considered a good-luck treat for the New Year.
Making Struffoli is simple and requires just a few ingredients, but shaping the dough into small balls takes some time and patience. The good news is that it stays fresh for quite a while, so you can make it a day in advance and store it at room temperature.
Struffoli
2 cups All Purpose Flour
2 tablespoons Sugar
1 Lemon (zested)
1 Orange (zested)
Pinch Of Salt
1/4 teaspoon Baking Powder
2 tablespoons Butter (room tempreture)
3 Eggs
Oil For Frying
Sprinkles
Syrup
1/2 cup Honey
2 tablespoons Orange Juice
1 tablespoon Sugar
Place the flour, sugar, the orange and lemon zests, salt and baking powder in a food processor. Pulse to combine.
Add the butter and pulse until the butter is fully incorporated.
Add eggs and pulse until the the dough forms.
Lightly flour your working surface and transfer the dough on the surface. Form into a ball and wrap the dough with a plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Cut the dough into 8 pieces. Roll each piece on the work surface into a 1/2-inch thick rope. Cut the rope into 1/3-inch pieces. Roll each piece of dough into a small ball and place on the baking sheet.
Heat up the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F.
Fry the dough balls in batches until cooked and golden brown.
Make the syrup by adding the honey, orange juice and sugar in a skillet. Bring to simmer and simmer just for a minute or until sugar dissolved.
Add all of the dough balls to the skillet and toss until well coated.
Coat outside of a glass with cooking spray and place in the middle of a round plate.
Pile the struffoli around the glass, creating a wreath shape.
Drizzle the remaining syrup over the top and decorate with sprinkles.
Let sit for 10 minutes then carefully remove the glass. Serve and enjoy!
