Description
Struffoli is a Neapolitan dessert that is traditionally prepared at Christmas and made of tiny dough balls that have been deep-fried and soaked in honey, then piled high on plates and trays. Some like to form them in the shape of Christmas trees or wreaths, always festively covered with multi-colored candy sprinkles. People who grew up with this traditional Christmas treat go out of their way to make sure there is a struffoli on the holiday table.
Ingredients
- 5 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour (such as King Arthur®)
- 1 lemon, zested
- ½ orange, zested
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 6 jumbo eggs
- ½ cup cane sugar
- 2 quarts vegetable oil for frying, or as needed
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups honey
- ¼ cup multi-colored sprinkles, or more to taste
Instructions
- Combine flour
- lemon zest
- orange zest
- baking powder
- and salt together in a food processor; pulse to combine. Mix eggs and sugar together in a separate bowl; add 1/3 cup olive oil and vanilla extract and beat again. Mix together with flour mixture using hands to knead.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Heat frying oil in a deep saucepan over medium heat until the temperature reaches 375 degrees F (190 degrees C)
- about 5 minutes.
- Transfer dough to a floured work surface; continue to knead sticky dough with floured hands. Flatten dough into a thin loaf about 10 inches long. Cut long ropes from the loaf
- then slice ropes into 1/2-inch pieces and transfer to the prepared baking sheet.
- Fry dough pieces in batches in the hot oil until golden brown
- about 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels.
- Heat honey in a saucepan until warm and fluid
- about 1 minute. Pour hot honey over struffoli and toss to coat. Sprinkle with multi-colored sprinkles.
Prep Time: 45 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 1 hr
Servings: 48