Honey-Glazed Struffoli Recipe: Sweet Italian Holiday Joy

Sweet honey-coated struffoli recipe brings Neapolitan magic right to your kitchen table.

Naples crafted this delightful dessert centuries ago with incredible precision.

Crispy golden balls dance in warm syrup, creating pure culinary poetry.

Small spheres of dough become irresistible treats that sparkle with sugary charm.

Generations of Italian grandmothers have perfected these delicate morsels with secret techniques.

Each bite connects you to rich Mediterranean traditions and festive celebrations.

You’ll fall in love with this classic Italian confection that promises pure joy and sweet memories.

Struffoli That Feels Like An Italian Holiday

• Festive Holiday Showstopper: Create a stunning, crowd-pleasing dessert that transforms your table into a celebration of Italian tradition with minimal culinary expertise.
• Quick Prep, Maximum Delight: Whip up this impressive treat in just over an hour, with most time spent chilling the dough and letting the final dessert set, making it perfect for busy home bakers.
• Family Bonding Dessert: Engage kids and adults alike in rolling dough balls, drizzling honey, and sprinkling colorful nonpareils, turning dessert preparation into a fun, interactive experience.
• Cultural Connection: Dive into a classic Neapolitan holiday treat that connects you with generations of Italian culinary heritage, bringing authentic flavors and memories to your kitchen.

Traditional Ingredients for Struffoli

• Eggs: Main binding agent that provides structure and richness.
• Orange Zest: Fresh citrusy flavor that adds brightness to the dough.
• Vanilla Extract: Warm, sweet background note enhancing overall taste.
• Sugar: Sweetens and helps with browning.
• Melted Butter: Adds richness and smooth texture to the dough.

• All-Purpose Flour: Primary structure for the dough.
• Baking Powder: Helps dough rise and become light.

• Vegetable Oil: Neutral oil for deep frying dough balls.
• Honey: Sweet, glossy coating that gives traditional sticky texture.
• Orange Juice: Adds subtle citrus flavor to honey glaze.
• Rainbow Nonpareils: Colorful decorative topping for festive appearance.

• Drinking Glass: Serves as central mold for traditional wreath shape.

Struffoli Recipe – Cooking Guide

Step 1: Whip Up the Creamy Base

Grab your food processor and crack in some eggs.

Pulse them until they become light and frothy.

Toss in orange zest, vanilla extract, sugar, and melted butter.

Blend everything until the mixture looks smooth and foamy.

Step 2: Form the Delicate Dough

Sprinkle in flour and baking powder.

Pulse the mixture gently until the dough starts to come together.

Don’t worry if the dough feels a bit sticky – that’s exactly how it should be!

Step 3: Chill the Dough

Wrap the dough carefully in plastic wrap and slide it into the refrigerator.

Let it rest and cool down for at least 30 minutes.

You can even leave it overnight if you want.

Step 4: Shape the Dough Balls

After chilling, divide the dough into four equal sections.

Roll each section into a long rope that looks about as thick as your finger.

Slice the rope into small pieces, each about half to one inch long.

Step 5: Create Perfect Marble-Sized Balls

Roll each piece into a tiny ball, similar to the size of a marble.

Dust them lightly with flour to prevent any sticky situations.

Step 6: Fry to Golden Perfection

Pour vegetable oil into a heavy pot, filling it about 3-4 inches deep.

Heat the oil until it reaches 350°F.

Carefully fry the dough balls in small batches, turning them so they brown evenly.

Step 7: Drain the Fried Treasures

Use a slotted spoon to lift the golden-brown balls out of the oil.

Let them drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.

Step 8: Craft the Sticky Honey Glaze

• Honey
• Orange juice
• Sugar

Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar completely dissolves (about 5 minutes).

Step 9: Coat with Sweet Glaze

Drop the fried dough balls into the honey glaze.

Toss them around to ensure each ball gets a delicious, even coating.

Step 10: Create a Stunning Wreath

Place a drinking glass in the center of a round plate or springform pan.

Pile the glazed dough balls around the glass, creating a beautiful wreath shape.

Step 11: Add Festive Sprinkles

Sprinkle rainbow nonpareils over the glazed dough balls.

Let the Struffoli set for 2-3 hours.

Step 12: Serve and Enjoy

Carefully remove the glass from the center.

Your beautiful, honey-coated Struffoli is ready to delight everyone!

Struffoli Tips For Golden Crunch

• Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes to make it easier to handle and prevent excessive sticking during shaping.
• Use a candy thermometer to keep oil consistently at 350°F for even, golden-brown frying without burning.
• Roll pieces into marble-sized balls of similar size to ensure consistent cooking and attractive presentation.
• Stir honey mixture constantly and cook on medium heat to prevent burning and achieve a smooth, glossy coating.
• Use a drinking glass as a center support to create a beautiful wreath-like shape that makes the Struffoli visually stunning and impressive.

Struffoli Recipe Stored to Keep Their Sweet Crunch

• Store cooled Struffoli in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Ensure the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent hardening.
• Keep the honey-glazed dessert covered at room temperature to preserve its soft texture and delicate coating. Avoid placing in direct sunlight or near heat sources.
• Wrap individual portions in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 weeks. Thaw at room temperature for 1-2 hours before serving to maintain original taste and texture.
• Warm gently in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes. Avoid microwaving, which can make the dough balls soggy and compromise their crispy exterior.

Sweet Matches For Struffoli

• Pair with Sweet Dessert Wine: Select a golden Moscato d'Asti from Italy, matching the honey's sweetness and complementing the struffoli's delicate citrus notes.
• Create Espresso Contrast: Serve a small, strong Italian espresso alongside the struffoli, cutting through the honey's richness with its bold, bitter flavor profile.
• Match with Citrusy Prosecco: Choose a crisp, light Prosecco with subtle orange and lemon undertones that echo the recipe's orange zest and enhance the overall brightness.
• Balance with Cinnamon Tea: Brew a warm, aromatic cinnamon tea that provides a gentle spice counterpoint to the struffoli's sweet honey glaze and delicate texture.

Struffoli Recipe Offshoots

• Gluten-Free Struffoli: Replace wheat flour with almond or coconut flour for a celiac-friendly version that maintains the classic texture and flavor.
• Vegan Honey Alternative: Swap traditional honey with maple syrup or agave nectar and use plant-based butter substitute to create a dairy-free and egg-free struffoli.
• Low-Sugar Edition: Reduce sugar content by using stevia or monk fruit sweetener in the dough and glaze, perfect for diabetic-friendly diets.
• Citrus Infusion: Experiment with lemon or lime zest instead of orange for a bright, tangy flavor profile that adds a refreshing Mediterranean touch to the traditional recipe.

FAQs

• What is the origin of Struffoli?

Struffoli is a traditional Neapolitan dessert from Italy, typically served during Christmas and other special celebrations. It’s a beloved sweet treat that has been part of Italian culinary culture for generations.

• Why do I need to chill the dough before frying?

Chilling the dough helps it firm up, making it easier to handle and shape into small balls. It also prevents the dough from becoming too soft and falling apart during frying, ensuring a perfect texture for your Struffoli.

• How do I know when the oil is at the right temperature for frying?

Use a candy or deep-fry thermometer to check that the oil reaches 350°F. If you don’t have a thermometer, drop a small piece of dough into the oil – it should sizzle and rise to the surface immediately, indicating the correct temperature.

• Can I make Struffoli ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it overnight. The fried and glazed Struffoli can also be made a day before serving, allowing the honey glaze to set and the flavors to meld together perfectly.

Struffoli Recipe

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4.8 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Sweet Italian honey balls called struffoli bring festive magic to holiday tables across Naples, delighting guests with crispy golden dough fried to perfection and drizzled with fragrant honey. Crunchy, golden spheres nestled together create an irresistible dessert you’ll want to share with family and friends.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 4 large eggs
• 1/4 cup salted butter, melted
• 5–6 cups vegetable oil

Sweeteners and Flavorings:

• 1 cup honey
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons orange zest
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons orange juice

Additional Ingredients:

• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• Rainbow nonpareils (for decoration)

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Instructions

1. Blend eggs in a food processor until frothy, incorporating orange zest, vanilla extract, sugar, and melted butter until the mixture becomes smooth and aerated.
2. Gently fold in flour and baking powder, mixing just until a cohesive yet tacky dough forms.
3. Encase the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and texture to firm up.
4. After chilling, segment the dough into four equal portions, rolling each into elongated ropes resembling finger-width thickness.
5. Slice the ropes into small segments, then shape each piece into perfectly round marble-sized spheres, lightly dusting with flour to prevent adhesion.
6. Heat vegetable oil in a robust pot to 350°F, creating a precise deep-frying environment for achieving golden perfection.
7. Carefully immerse dough balls in hot oil, rotating periodically to ensure uniform caramelization and crisp exterior.
8. Extract fried orbs using a perforated spoon, allowing excess oil to drain on absorbent paper towels.
9. Construct a luxurious glaze by simmering honey, orange juice, and sugar, stirring consistently until sugar completely dissolves and mixture becomes glossy.
10. Enrobe the crisp dough balls in the fragrant honey mixture, ensuring comprehensive and even coating.
11. Artfully arrange the glazed spheres in a circular wreath formation around a central drinking glass, creating an elegant presentation.
12. Embellish with vibrant rainbow nonpareils, allowing the dessert to set and solidify for 2-3 hours.
13. Prior to serving, delicately remove the central glass, revealing a stunning, honey-kissed Struffoli masterpiece ready to delight guests.

Notes

• Ensure dough consistency by not overmixing, which can make the struffoli tough and dense.
• Control oil temperature carefully when frying to prevent burning or undercooking the delicate dough balls.
• Use a candy thermometer for precise oil temperature monitoring to achieve golden, crispy exterior.
• Store struffoli at room temperature for maximum freshness, avoiding refrigeration which can soften the delightful crunch.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 325
• Sugar: 28 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg