Italian Struffoli – Honey Cookies
Grandma Jackie
Struffoli or “Honey Cookies” are a traditional Italian dessert, especially eaten during the Christmas and New Year’s season. The name refers to the rounded shape of the dessert.
Ingredients
Dough
□ 1 ¼ C Sugar
□ ¼ tsp. Baking Powder
□ ¼ tsp. Salt
□ ¼ Stick of Butter
□ 1 tsp. Vanilla
□ 2 tsp. Lemon Zest
□ 2 tsp. Orange Zest
□ 6 Eggs – Slightly Beaten
□ 1 C of Water
Honey Glaze
□ 1 C Honey
□ 1 Tbsp. Lemon Juice
□ 3 Tbsp Melted Butter
□ ½ C Sugar
For the Fryer
□ ¾ C Canola Oil for deep frying
Directions
The Dough
Step 1
Mix together dry ingredients and then add the eggs and mix well
Step 2
Upon mixing, slowly add the water as the dough batter forms
Dough will be sticky
Step 3
Knead the dough with hands until smooth and divide into 2 flat parts
Wrap dough in cling wrap and let rest for about 15-30 minutes
Step 4
Make dough balls for wreath first:
Flour table area, roll out dough, (use additional flour if needed to roll out dough and roll thin)
Cut small portions of dough and roll into small round cookie balls (about the size of a medium size olive) Set aside on parchment paper
With extra dough, make honey “nest cookies”:
Cut thin strips of dough about 1” wide with a pastry cutter to created crimped edges
Make a circle with the dough strip, pinch closed and press center into a flat circle to create a “tart like” center or nest shape
Hold them together with a toothpick to avoid them opening when frying
Step 6
Heat deep fryer oil and check to see if it is boiling by dropping in one dough ball
Fry all of the dough balls and the nests until desired golden brown
After removing from oil, allow all the fried dough to dry/cool completely on a paper towel
Honey Glaze
Step 1 for Dough Balls
Spray a deep pan with vegetable oil, add sugar, honey, and lemon juice and heat until sugar is dissolved
Bring to a boil about 3 minutes (optional to add toasted hazelnuts)
Step 2 for Dough Balls
Remove the pan from the heat, add the fried dough balls and coat in the honey mixture (allow it to cool in pan for 2 minutes)
Arrange the struffoli on a round dish around a glass to form a wreath shape. (Allow to set for 2 hours)
Remove the middle glass and decorate with sprinkles, maraschino cherries, and dust with powdered sugar. (can be made one day in advance)
For Nest Cookies
After frying in hot oil and cooling, remove the toothpicks and fill nests with honey glaze
Sprinkle nests with chopped nuts (walnuts preferred) and dust with powered sugar. Enjoy!
