• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Sip and Feast
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • About me
  • Shop
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About me
  • Shop
  • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » All Recipes » Desserts

    Struffoli

    Published on Mar 17, 2023 by Tara · Updated on Mar 17, 2023 · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Struffoli are a Neopolitan dessert made with tiny dough balls that are deep-fried until golden, tossed with honey, and topped with any combination of nonpareils, candied fruit, or slivered almonds. Struffoli is most popular around Easter and Christmas but makes a tasty treat at any time!

    Hands holding black plate with a mound of struffoli.

    Struffoli, also known as cicerchiata, or honey balls, are one of our favorite desserts, especially around the holidays.

    These tiny golden balls of fried dough tossed with honey and sprinkles are usually piled high on a platter and served with other holiday favorites, like Pastiera Napoletana (for Easter) or cuccidati (for Christmas).

    Struffoli are loaded with wonderful citrus flavor and despite being bathed in orange juice and honey, are not overly sweet.

    They are similar to the Sicilian dessert pignolata which are honey balls with pinenuts, and the Greek dessert, loukoumades, which are slightly larger dough balls also tossed with honey.

    No matter what you call them, they are delicious!

    Ingredients shown: flour, eggs, vanilla, Gran Marnier, salt, baking powder, nonpareils, honey, orange, lemon, almonds, candied fruit, sugar, and butter.

    How to make struffoli

    First, make the dough

    Each number corresponds to the numbered written steps below.

    1. In a medium-sized bowl beat 6 large eggs and set aside.  Melt 10 tablespoons of butter and set aside. To the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment add 4 cups (500g) of all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon of salt, 2 teaspoons of baking powder, ½ cup (120g) of granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon of lemon zest, and 1 tablespoon of orange zest. Mix on low speed until combined.
    2. Add the beaten eggs, melted butter, 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract, and 2 tablespoons of orange liqueur and mix on low speed until combined, about 60-120 seconds.

    Struffoli dough process shot collage.

    1. Remove the dough from the bowl, place it on a floured work surface, and knead for a few seconds until a rough dough is formed.
    2. Wrap the dough with plastic wrap and allow it to sit for at least 30 minutes before using.

    Next, fry them up

    1. After 30 minutes, cut and divide the dough ball into 4 equal sections, then cut each one in half so you have a total of 8 sections.   

    Struffoli recipe process shot collage group number one.

    1. Roll a section into a ½-inch thick rope. 
    2. Repeat the process for all 8 sections.  Note: Use only a bit of extra flour since you will want the dough to remain tacky to make it easier to roll in the steps below.

    Recipe process shot collage group number two.

    1. Using a pastry cutter or a thin sharp knife, cut the ropes into ½-inch squares.  To save time, cut multiple ropes at once as pictured above.
    2. Roll each square into a ball and place them on parchment paper-lined baking sheets.  Note: you do not have to roll the squares into balls.  If you prefer to leave them as squares, that's completely fine and much easier!

    Recipe process shot collage group number three.

    1. Fill a large heavy pot with approximately 7 cups of vegetable oil, or enough to fill the pot about 3 inches high.  Heat the oil until the temperature reaches 360f.  Begin to fry the balls about 15-20 at a time until golden brown, about 45-60 seconds.  Be careful to not overcrowd the pot.  
    2. Remove the struffoli from the pot and place them on a paper towel-lined baking sheet or wire rack to drain. 

    Recipe process shot collage group number four.

    1. To a large saucepan over low heat, add 1 ½ cups of honey and a ¼ cup of fresh squeezed orange juice. Heat the mixture on low and add about a ¼ of the struffoli to the pot and baste for about 1 minute.
    2. Use a slotted spoon to remove the struffoli and place them on a platter. Repeat the process for the remaining struffoli, arranging them in a mountain shape, or wreath.

    Recipe process shot collage group number five.

    1. Once plated, drizzle more of the honey mixture on top of the struffoli and sprinkle with nonpareils, and if desired, candied fruit and sliced or slivered almonds.  Enjoy!

    Overhead shot of white platter with struffoli on blue board.

    Top tips

    • Dough balls. While we did take time to shape our dough into tiny balls, you can opt to not roll them at all.  They will be just as good if shaped as tiny squares or rectangles.  It all depends on how you want them to look.  And since we're talking about the balls, ours should have been even smaller.  This recipe made about 150 tiny dough balls, but often you will see commercially sold struffoli that are even smaller.  If you got the time, make them tiny.  About the size of a chickpea to be exact.
    • Frying. As with other recipes that require deep frying, such as zeppole, we recommend using a candy or oil thermometer to ensure that the oil reaches the proper temperature.
    • Honey. This recipe uses a lot of honey, 1 ½ cups worth.  You actually might need even more.  You'll likely save money if you can purchase the honey from a store like Costco or BJ's. 
    • Shapes. Struffoli can be presented in a variety of different ways.  We think a volcano-shaped pile looks beautiful, but you can shape into a wreath as well.  To make a wreath the easy way, place a glass in the center of a platter then pile the balls around it and remove once the honey hardens up and they set.
    • Toppings. We topped ours with nonpareil sprinkles, dried fruit, and slivered almonds.  Feel free to decorate with any combination of these.  Even drizzled chocolate and powdered sugar are great on struffoli.

    Closeup shot of pyramid of struffoli with sprinkles.

    More traditional Italian desserts

    • Cannoli - crisp pastry shells filled with sweet ricotta-cinnamon cream and topped with chocolate chips, pistachio, or candied orange peel.
    • Reginelle - sesame seed-covered biscuits with a hint of lemon.
    • Pignoli cookies - sweet almond paste cookies studded with pignoli and dusted with powdered sugar.

    If you’ve enjoyed this struffoli recipe or any recipe on this site, give it a 5-star rating and tell us about it in the comments below.

    We strive to satisfy a number of learning styles.  If you are someone who prefers to learn by watching, you can find most of our recipes on YouTube and our Facebook Page.

    Struffoli recipe featured image.

    Struffoli

    Prep Time: 30 mins
    Cook Time: 30 mins
    dough resting time: 30 mins
    Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins
    Servings: 12
    Print Pin Rate
    Author: James

    Ingredients

    • 4 cups (500 grams) all-purpose flour
    • 2 teaspoons baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ cup (120 grams) sugar
    • 2 tablespoons Grand Marnier or any orange liqueur
    • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
    • 1 tablespoon orange zest
    • 10 tablespoons butter melted
    • 6 large eggs beaten
    • 1 tablespoon vanilla
    • 7 cups vegetable oil enough for frying

    For the honey glaze and toppings

    • 1 ½ cups honey
    • ¼ cup fresh squeezed orange juice
    • colored nonpareils
    • candied fruit optional
    • slivered almonds optional

    Instructions

    • Combine the flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, and lemon and orange zest in a stand mixer and combine with the paddle attachment.
    • Add the beaten eggs, melted butter, vanilla, and, and orange liqueur and mix until combined (about 60 seconds). Remove the dough from the bowl and knead for a few seconds until a rough dough is formed. Wrap the dough with plastic wrap and let sit for 30 minutes before using.
    • After 30 minutes cut and divide the dough into 4 equal sections. Roll each section into a rope about a ½-inch thick. Cut the rope into small ½-inch squares then roll them gently into balls. Place the balls on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
    • Set the balls aside and heat vegetable oil in large heavy pot. Pour the oil approximately 3-inches high and use an oil thermometer and heat to 360f.
    • Fry the struffoli about 15 at a time until golden brown. Don't overcrowd the pot. They will only take about 45 seconds per batch. Remove the cooked struffoli to a paper towel lined baking sheet or wire rack.
    • Heat the honey and orange juice in a large saucepan over low heat. Add a ¼ of the struffoli to the pot and baste for about 1 minute. Place the struffoli on a platter or arrange them in a wreath shape. Repeat for next batches then drizzle more of the reserved honey on top of the plated struffoli.
    • Sprinkle the nonpareils onto the struffoli along with the optional candied fruit and almonds. Enjoy!

    Notes

    • You 100% don't have to roll the cut sections into balls.  It is far quicker and easier to just fry them as small squares.  
    • Get creative with the toppings.  In addition to candied fruit, slivered almonds, and colored nonpareils, drizzled chocolate or powdered sugar are both great too!
    • Leftovers can be saved for up 4 days.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 598kcal | Carbohydrates: 75.2g | Protein: 7.3g | Fat: 30.4g | Saturated Fat: 10.4g | Cholesterol: 107mg | Sodium: 101mg | Potassium: 99mg | Fiber: 1.2g | Sugar: 43.3g | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 3mg
    Did you make this recipe? Mention @sipandfeast or tag #sipandfeast
    « Cast Iron Pan Pizza
    Torta Pasqualina »
    • Share
    • Yummly

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Profile pic.

    About Jim

    Welcome! I'm Jim and I'm here to help you make awesome Italian food that you would normally enjoy at some of your favorite New York style Italian restaurants. While my recipes are typically Italian, you'll find some other great ones as well. Take a look around, and get cooking!

    Learn more about me →

    Meatless and Seafood Recipes Leading Up To Easter

    • Pasta e Ceci
    • Linguine with Canned Clams
    • Shrimp Francese
    • Pepper and Egg Sandwich
    • Pasta and Peas in Red Sauce
    • Fried Flounder

    Reader's Favorites

    • Fettuccine with Cherry Tomato Butter Sauce
    • Short Rib Ragu with Pappardelle
    • Mushroom Brandy Cream Sauce Spaghetti
    • Baked Artichoke Hearts with Seasoned Breadcrumbs

    Featured On

    Sip and Feast featured in publications sidebar.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About me
    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Sip and Feast

    84 shares