Struffoli
Struffoli are delightful Italian holiday treats made from small, sweet, fried dough balls coated in a honey glaze and decorated with colorful sprinkles, perfect for festive gatherings.
Ingredients
Dough Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling Reserve some for dusting your surface
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar Balances the flavors
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt Enhances sweetness
- 1/4 tsp baking powder Gives structure while frying
- 4 Tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature Ensure it is softened for easy incorporation
- 1 each zest of lemon Adds citrus flavor
- 1 each zest of orange Adds citrus fragrance
- 3 large eggs Binds the dough
- 1 Tbsp Marsala or white wine Adds depth and flavor
For Frying and Glazing
- 1 qt canola oil Flavor-neutral oil for frying
- 1/2 cup honey Coats the struffoli and adds sweetness
- 1 Tbsp fresh orange juice Adds citrus flavor to the glaze
- 1 each nonstick cooking spray Prevents sticking
- to taste rainbow nonpareil sprinkles For decoration
Instructions
Preparation
- In a food processor, pulse flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder to combine. Add butter, lemon zest, and orange zest, and pulse to create a sandy texture.
- Add the eggs and Marsala, and process until the dough forms a ball. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
Frying
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut the chilled dough into 8 pieces and keep covered while you work.
- On a floured surface, roll one piece into a 12-inch rope, and cut into 24 pieces; roll each piece into balls. Arrange them on the prepared baking sheet.
- In a large Dutch oven, heat oil to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Fry the dough balls in batches until they are golden brown, about 3 minutes, then transfer them to a paper towel-lined sheet to drain.
Glazing and Presentation
- Microwave honey until it’s runny, then stir in the orange juice.
- Toss struffoli in the honey mixture until they are well coated.
- Shape the struffoli into a wreath on a serving platter and pour any remaining honey over the top. Decorate with colorful sprinkles.
- Allow the struffoli to sit until the honey firms up, about 30 minutes, then gather around to enjoy!
Notes
Store struffoli in an airtight container at room temperature. Best enjoyed fresh but can last a few days. If glazed struffoli are sticky, give them a toss before serving again.