Struffoli, the perfect Italian Christmas dessert, are puffy balls of fried dough that are crispy on the outside, light and airy on the inside. These honey balls (aka Cicerchiata) are then drenched in citrus-scented warm honey and decorated with sprinkles.
They also make the perfect addition to your platter of Italian Christmas cookies!
Struffoli is just one of the well-known Southern Italian desserts you’ll love.
Mostaccioli and chiacchiere are two other Italian Christmas desserts originating from the Campania region of southern Italy, perfect for your favorite holiday season!
According to folklore, these Italian honey dough balls are supposed to bring good luck since their spherical shape symbolizes abundance.
As is usually the case with regional Italian cooking and baking, the names of Italian cookies varies depending on where it originated.
If you were in Sicily, this confection would be referred to as Pignolata. In Abruzzo, they would be referred to as cicerchiata and in Calabria, scalilli. Regardless of their name, one thing is for sure, these Italian cookies with honey are a special Christmas treat.
I want to suggest that we work the dough manually.
So you are going to need a wooden board and some elbow grease… are you ready?
How to make struffoli – Italian honey balls
You can choose to make these Italian fritters with a stand mixer or the old-fashioned way with a wooden board and a lot of elbow grease.
Since the video in this article shows the method with the stand mixer, let me explain how these balls of honey come together on a wooden board.
The first thing we will do is make a mound and shape approximately 3-3¼ cups (450 grams) flour into a well. Start with 3 cups and evaluate how much of the ¼ cup you need to add.
Add 4 eggs in the center of the well and with the help of a fork (or your fingertips), start beating while slowly incorporating a little bit of the flour.
Continue adding the ingredients, one by one, all the while incorporating the flour. More specifically, add 4 teaspoons of vegetable oil, 4 teaspoons of white wine, 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar, ½ teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of freshly grated lemon zest (organic), 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1 tablespoon of rum.
You can use a fork or a dough scraper in this process. Once the flour has absorbed the wet ingredients, start kneading. Almost magically, the dough becomes shiny and smooth.
That is your cue to wrap the soft dough in plastic wrap and allow it to rest for at least one hour.
If you prefer, you can use your stand mixer with the hook attachment to make the dough for these struffoli.
Shaping the struffoli dough
Place the ball of dough on a lightly floured cutting board. With a knife or dough scraper, cut the dough in half. Repeat two more times to obtain eight pieces of dough.
Roll out each piece of dough into a long rope about ½ inch in diameter. Repeat this process with the rest of the dough.
Line up two strands of dough and, with the help of a pastry scraper or a knife, cut into ½ inch pieces.
Roll each piece of dough between the palms of your hands to resemble a small marble. Place on a parchment-lined large cookie sheet. Repeat this process with the rest of the strands of dough.
Frying the dough
In a wide, heavy pot or electric fryer, preheat vegetable oil to 375°F (190°C).
While waiting, line a large cookie tray with a few layers of paper towels.
Use a slotted spoon or a large spider to lower 10-15 pieces of dough into hot oil at a time. Swirl the small balls of dough until they puff up and become golden brown. This should take about 1½ -2 minutes.
Fish them out with your slotted spoon or spider and transfer them to the paper-lined tray to drain.
Continue frying the rest of the dough in small batches.
The honey coating
In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of honey with 1 teaspoon of lemon juice over low heat. Heat for a few minutes until the honey becomes runny.
While waiting, transfer the warm pieces of fried dough to a very large mixing bowl.
Pour the hot honey glaze over the struffoli. With a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, combine gently until well coated.
How to serve struffoli
Pile them up: While they are still warm, pile the struffoli balls on a large cake stand or platter and decorate them with your favorite garnishings. You can also shape them into a large wreath.
Create a wreath shape: Place a large cup or bowl upside down on a large serving platter. Place the honey-drenched struffoli all around this “centerpiece.” Then, remove it and you have the shape of a wreath. Complete the festive look with garnishings.
Use a large spoon or a set of tongs to serve these fried dough balls with honey.
Individual portions: For individualized serving portions, place them in festive muffin liners.
Festive garnishings
- colorful nonpareils
- candied red and green cherries
- citrus zest, orange, or lemon
- strips of candied orange or lemon peel
- candied nuts
- candy
- edible ribbons
No matter what shape it takes or how you decorate them, these Italian fried cookies with honey glaze are always a hit with family and friends!
How long do struffoli last?
Without the honey, the fried dough of this Italian dessert can last up to 1-2 days at room temperature; once honey-coated, they are best eaten within 24 hours.
Tips
- You can easily cut the recipe in half if needed.
- Replace the rum with grappa or brandy. You can also replace it with 1 teaspoon of rum extract.
- Cutting and rolling the balls of dough uniformly ensures they all fry and cook evenly.
- When placing the little balls of dough on the parchment paper, space them out so that they do not touch each other.
- Use a candy thermometer to monitor the heat of the oil throughout the process of frying. You will most likely have to adjust the heat.
- Warming up the honey on low heat, just enough to make it runny, facilitates coating the entire balls of struffoli.
- Use a cake stand or plate with a bit of a rim to enclose the struffoli balls.
- For best results, fry the dough the same day it is made. If necessary, refrigerate for 12-24 hours.
Italian Christmas desserts
It’s always so exciting when your favorite Italian dessert is in the kitchen, just waiting to be served. The truth is that the holidays would not be complete without so many traditional recipes whether it’s pizzelle, chiacchiere, mostaccioli, screppelle, Caragnoli or Chocolate chickpea calzoni, also known as Calzoni di Ceci.
Family, food and Christmas traditions -I can’t think of a better way to celebrate!
Recipe origins
You can probably guess that this was one of the many recipes my mom would make exclusively at Christmas time. If you have been following along, you know that my mom was born in Molinara, Benevento.
I remember helping my mom roll up the little pieces of dough just before they were ready to be fried. I couldn’t wait for Christmas day when my mom would place this dessert in the center of the table, along with her mostaccioli and chestnut cookies, aka Calzoni di castagne.
Everyone, both kids and kids at heart, would gather around the table waiting for their favorite Italian dessert to appear – struffoli always captures everyone’s attention!
My eyes were focused on that delicious-looking platter -the one with the honey balls. I would always grab the ones at the bottom of the mound… I figured there was more honey, so they had to be sweeter.
Looking back, I think that was part of the Christmas magic… the anticipation that there would be so many wonderful meals and baked goods that were only made once a year. Couple that with the expectation of spending time with cousins and the extended family and, of course, the men singing a cappella after a few glasses of homemade wine and grappa.
No iPhones to capture those priceless moments but the memories are vivid in my mind.
One of the reasons that I continue to make and document so many “family” recipes is because they trigger memories. A particular smell or taste is all it takes.
I can still see my mom patiently peeling the outer shell of boiled chestnuts -the magical ingredient in her chestnut and chocolate sweet ravioli.
Hoping these recipes will also revive some of the beautiful memories you have, and equally, if not more important, create new memories for the next generation.
I would love to hear some of your food memories!
Forever in my heart, always on my mind. I dedicate this post to the loving memory of my mom ♥ Tanti Auguri mamma♥
THANKS SO MUCH for following and being part of the She Loves Biscotti community where you will find Simple & Tasty Family-Friendly Recipes with an Italian Twist.
And if you are new here, welcome! You may want to sign up for my weekly e-mail newsletter. You can unsubscribe any time you want.
Ciao for now,
Maria
★★★★★ If you have made this recipe for struffoli, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!
Struffoli aka Italian Honey Balls
Ingredients
- 450 grams all-purpose flour approx 3¼ cups
- 4 eggs extra large
- 4 teaspoons white wine
- 4 teaspoons vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon rum can also use grappa or brandy
- vegetable oil for frying
Honey Glaze:
- 1 cup honey required for drizzling
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- strands of lemon zest to garnish
- nonpareils (sprinkles)
Instructions
Making the dough
- Place flour on a wooden board. Shape into a well (basically form the flour into a wreath shape). Start with 3 cups and evaluate how much of the ¼ cup you need to add as you knead the dough.
- Place the ingredients, one by one, in the center of your well, while whisking with a fork.
- Continue to whisk while slowly incorporating the flour.
- Keep incorporating and kneading the dough. Switch to a dough scraper to help with this whole process.
- When the dough comes together, knead for about 10 minutes or until shiny and smooth.
- Wrap dough in plastic wrap and allow to rest at room temperature for at least one hour.
- Alternately, you can use your stand mixer fitted with the dough hook to knead the dough.
Shaping the dough
- Place the ball of dough on a lightly floured cutting board. Cut the dough in half. Repeat 2 more times in order to obtain 8 pieces of dough.
- Roll out each piece of dough into a long rope about ½ inch in diameter. Repeat this process with the rest of the dough.
- Line up 2 strands of dough and with the help of a pastry cutter or a knife, cut into ½ inch pieces. Roll each piece of dough between the palms of your hands to resemble a small marble. Place on a parchment-lined large cookie sheet. Repeat this process with the rest of the strands of dough.
- In a wide, heavy pot or electric fryer, preheat vegetable oil to 375°F (190°C).
- While waiting, line a large cookie tray with a few layers of paper towels.
- Use a slotted spoon or a large spider to lower 10-15 pieces of dough into hot oil at a time. Swirl pieces of dough until golden brown. This should take about 1½ -2 minutes.
- Fish them out with your slotted spoon or spider and transfer them to the paper-lined tray to drain.
- Continue frying the dough in batches.
The honey coating
- In a small saucepan, over low heat, combine 1 cup of honey with 1 teaspoon of lemon juice. Heat for a few minutes, until the honey becomes runny.
- While waiting, transfer the warm pieces of fried dough to a very large mixing bowl.
- Pour the hot honey glaze over the struffoli. With a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, combine gently until well coated.
- Place honey-coated balls on a platter and garnish with lemon zest and sprinkles (if desired).
Video
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published on December 3, 2014, and republished on December 3, 2017, with updated content, photos and recently with a video.
Giovanna Sassi
So happy you took the time to write this out, so carefully and with much care to detail.
Maria
Thank you so much Giovanna, appreciate your comment.
Rose bartolotta
I fr them today. They came great and taste good but aren’t crispy. How do i get them to be crisp?
Maria
I’m wondering if the oil wasn’t hot enough and as a result, the struffoli absorbed too much oil… They will get a little crispier after a day or so. It’s hard for me to say without seeing the final product… you can try placing just a few in a very hot oven and see what happens to them. Thanks for stopping by Rose, appreciate it.
Maric
Mine weren’t crisp either at first. My old Italian cookbook said to fry 3-5 mins. The 3 mins worked!
Lisa Porucznick
How long can these be made before serving. How do you store them? Tupperware?
Maria
These struffoli are best the day they are made. However, they freeze really well. If you put them in Tupperware they will get soft. Thanks so much for stopping by.
Michael Cotugno
I remember Mom making these for a few days. She was like Oprah, you get a struffoli tray and you get a struffoli tray..My dad also helped by shaping them. He made some shaped like ribbons. Then when I got older I helped her cut and roll them. Bring back such fond memories.
Maria
It never seizes to amaze me how much energy our moms had… never thinking of themselves… family first -all the time.
How wonderful to have so many wonderful memories ♥ The ribbons must have been so good, covered in honey…
Thanks for taking the time to share Michael, appreciate it 🙂
The Napoli Alert
I adore these. My mother makes them at Christmas in a wreath shape.
Maria
They are truly such a special treat to have at Christmas. Thanks so much for stopping by 🙂
Lidia D’Opera
Hi Maria
My family are from Molise and moved to Australia in the late 40’s early 50’s. My grandmother, who we affectionately called Mammina, would make cicerchiata at Christmas and it was always my favourite.
Whenever I see this recipe I think of her so I must try it. My sister-in-law’s mother still makes and it and I always hope she sends me a piece at Christmas!
A good family friend was from Benevento and he introduced me to Strega. It’s my favourite liquor and when not drinking it I use it in my tiramisu.
Thank you for the wonderful recipes, there are so many familiar ones from my childhood and I love trying them.
Maria
My pleasure Lidia. My dad was also from Molise… small world! He was born in Ripabottoni and immigrated to Montreal (Canada) in the early 50’s. We also have distant relatives that immigrated to Australia after the war… in Adelaide. Yes, the Strega from Benevento is very special. I am happy you have some wonderful memories associated with these struffoli ♥ Thank you so much for taking the time and sharing your story ♥♥♥
Ur Pal Val
Another great recipe.
Maria
Thanks Val! Glad you enjoyed it ♥♥♥
Paula Barbarito Levitt
An absolute memory trigger! During the holiday period, we would sit at the kitchen table and pick one at a time entire the entire platter of struffoli disappeared, quite easy to do as I am sure you know. You recipe is a variation of the one my favorite Aunt used, I am going to try your version in a few weeks. By the way, I will be in Benevento in April and would appreciate any suggestions or tips Maria – you can email me.
Maria
How wonderful Paula! You are going to love this little town… make space in your luggage because you are going to love the torrone of San Marco Dei Cavoti, definitely worth the detour!
Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts. Have a happy Sunday my friend ♥♥♥
Phyllis
Hi Maria,
This is another recipe that I grew up with and would like to try it for Christmas. I remember the struffoli were shaped into a wreath and then we would cut into pieces.
Does the honey have to be heated to a certain temperature so that it holds the balls together??
I’m also going to make the chickpea and honey fritters another recipe I grew up with and of course the zeppole that my kids adore.
Thanks again for all your recipes and for giving me the confidence to attempt them!
Maria
My pleasure Phyllis ♥ I like to warm up the honey (in the microwave) as it makes it easier to coat the struffoli and it is easier to form into a wreath, etc… I am in the process of revising this post (as well as the chickpea fritter)… I will be updating soon with different pictures. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment Phyllis, appreciate it ♥♥♥