If you are looking for an edible table decoration for any occasion, look no more. These heavenly delicious Italian honey balls can be shaped into a wreath and make your guests’ jaws drop! You can also just pour them in a bowl and enjoy as they are. Perfect either way!
Guys, I’m waiting for your congratulations! What? Don’t you know a reason? It’s my 200th post on the blog, sillies! I can’t actually believe that I reached this crazy number. Seriously. It was so many ups and downs on this complicated blogging journey but your comments, emails, and your support kept me going. The blog would probably have even more posts if I wouldn’t take a lengthy blogging hiatus due to my pregnancy. It’s my first baby so I freaked out a little bit and spent too much time doing nothing. Oh well, there is no point in digging up the past. The most important thing is that my baby boy is doing great and I am back on my regular posting schedule!
To celebrate this special occasion, I decided to forget about my diet for a day and make a dessert. It’s been 4 months since my last sweet thing on this blog (these no-bake Oreo Chocolate Rum Balls got really popular among my readers) so it was about time! Traditional Italian (tracing its roots to a town of Naples) Struffoli, also known as Italian Honey Balls, was a perfect choice. It looks gorgeous, it’s super delicious, and this dessert is usually served on Christmas, which is approaching. Two birds with one stone!
I have actually had a chance to taste Struffoli once. However, it was the first time I was making it myself. I found a recipe in our local magazine and it turned out splendid! Crunchy on the outside, soft and warm inside, as it has to be. Oops, I still haven’t explained to you what Struffoli are all about! Simply put, it’s deep-fried dough puffs or balls, depending on how you shape them, mixed with honey and sometimes sugar. The dough has that citrusy flavor coming from the added lemon and orange zest and I absolutely love it.
Struffoli are usually topped with colored sprinkles but the recipe from my magazine suggested using poppy seeds, almond slices, and cranberries instead. Who am I to oppose? Speaking seriously, I think my toppings are way more attractive than just colored sprinkles. You can use anything you like or have in a pantry, though!
The presentation of these Italian honey balls is another important topic. You can either just pour them in a bowl without any headache or roll your sleeves up and try assembling your dough puffs into a wreath or cone shape. As you can see from the photos, I did a wreath shape and it went quite well! You have to agree that the presentation, in this case, takes the appearance of this dessert to another level. Use my glass and cake tin method to form a wrath the easy way!
What’s more to say about this gorgeous Italian creation? Struffoli makes a perfect dessert for your holiday table. Formed in a wreath, Italian honey balls bring Christmas spirit into your house. These little guys not only look awesome but also taste like heaven!
Ingredients
For the dough:
- 3 1/3 cups (14 oz. or 400g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- a pinch of salt
- 4 tablespoons white sugar
- 3 eggs
- 3 oz. (85g) sour cream
- 2 tablespoons brandy
- zest from 1 lemon
- zest from 1 orange
- vegetable oil , for frying
For the syrup:
- 1 oz. (30g) water
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 7 oz. (200g) honey
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- zest from 1 lemon
For garnish:
- dried cranberries (optional)
- poppy seeds (optional)
- almond slices (optional)
Instructions
The dough:
- In a bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Beat in the eggs and add the sour cream and brandy. Add the orange and lemon zest. Mix very well and knead until the dough is smooth. Wrap the dough in a plastic wrap and let sit in a fridge for a half an hour.
The syrup:
- In a saucepan, add the water and brown sugar and boil until the sugar dissolves and the syrup thickens a little bit. Add the honey, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Mix well. Set aside.
Making balls and frying:
- Take the dough out of the fridge and divide into 5-6 parts. On a lightly floured surface, roll each part into a very thin 1/2-inch thick log and cut into small equal pieces. Keep in mind that the dough pieces will double in size when fried.
- Fill half of the pot with oil and heat to 375°F (180°C). Prepare a plate lined with paper towel. Working in batches, add some dough pieces to a metal strainer and lower into the oil. Fry for 2-3 minutes, turning them in the oil, until lightly golden. Transfer to a plate with the paper towel. Repeat with all the remaining dough.
- Transfer the dough balls to the saucepan with the prepared syrup and mix well until nicely coated.
Forming a wreath:
- Take a cake tin and put a glass, sprayed with cooking oil, in the middle of it. Arrange the honey balls around the glass to form a wreath. Drizzle the remaining honey over them. Sprinkle with the cranberries, poppy seeds, and almond slices, if using. Let sit for a couple of hours to set. Remove the side of the cake tin and the glass and serve. Enjoy!
28 Comments
Annie
December 11, 2016 at 7:29 pmOh. I believe this is going to quickly become a FAVORITE in our house. I honestly am not sure I could share! Love it!
Jovita
December 21, 2016 at 1:18 pmI am so glad you liked it, Annie!
Cricket Plunkett
December 11, 2016 at 8:50 pmI have always wanted to make these, they sound incredible! I’ll have to try your recipe!
Jovita
December 21, 2016 at 1:19 pmI am sure you will love it 😉
Debra C.
December 11, 2016 at 9:18 pmCongratulations to you!! 200 posts is a great milestone and you certainly know how to celebrate with these yummy bites. They look delicious!
Jovita
December 21, 2016 at 1:21 pmThank you so much, Debra!
Platter Talk
December 11, 2016 at 9:42 pmOh my! These sound so delightfully good. I think that they would make an extra beautiful centerpiece for a dessert buffet!!!
Jovita
December 21, 2016 at 1:23 pmYup, served in a form of a wreath, Struffoli is a perfect decoration for any holiday table 😉
Scarlet @ Family Focus Blog
December 11, 2016 at 9:44 pmThese look delish! I just love all things dough related- so puffy and tasty!
Jovita
December 21, 2016 at 1:23 pmThey really are crazy delish, Scarlet!
Annemarie @ justalittlebitofbacon
December 11, 2016 at 9:47 pmCongratulations on your 200th post! *throws confetti* And you couldn’t have picked a better topic. I love struffoli! Honey cookies at Christmas has always been a tradition in our house. Really, how can you go wrong with fried balls of dough coated in honey. 🙂
Jovita
December 21, 2016 at 1:40 pmYou can’t, Annemarie, you can’t 😉 Thanks for the congratulations!
Sam | Ahead of Thyme
December 12, 2016 at 12:54 amI have never tried struffoli but it looks amazing!! Will have to give it a try!
Jovita
December 21, 2016 at 1:41 pmYou have to try them, Sam, they are something!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
December 12, 2016 at 11:42 amI’ve always wanted to make this! So much fun!
Jovita
December 21, 2016 at 1:42 pmDo that, Rebecca, and you will thank me later 😉
Kate
December 12, 2016 at 11:58 amThese honey balls sound incredible. I can’t wait to try them!
Jovita
December 21, 2016 at 1:44 pmIf you will, let me know how you liked them, Kate!
The Food Hunter
December 12, 2016 at 9:09 pmWe always had these in the house around the holidays
Jovita
December 21, 2016 at 1:46 pmI also will, starting from this year 😉
Tiffany
December 13, 2016 at 2:44 amAhh these remind me of my childhood so much! Grew up eating these every holiday but since I moved from NJ to Washington state, can’t find these anywhere! Have to attempt making them 😉
Jovita
December 21, 2016 at 1:48 pmThey are really easy to make, Tiffany. Give them a try!
Vanessa
December 19, 2016 at 2:14 amThats gulab jamun.
Jovita
December 19, 2016 at 2:50 pmThat’s Struffoli 🙂
Ash
March 6, 2017 at 12:02 amHow well do these keep? Is it a dessert that can be made and put in a container, or are they best served fresh?
Jovita
March 26, 2017 at 1:06 pmThey are best served fresh. Unfortunately, I haven’t tried keeping them in a container yet (they disappear pretty quickly) but I guess they would last a few days more 😉
Dyane
October 22, 2018 at 11:03 pmCan I make them in an air fryer?
Jovita
February 23, 2021 at 2:14 pmHi, Dyane! Unfortunately, I don’t have an air fryer myself so I don’t have enough experience to answer this question 🙂