Hamdi Saidani Christmas Struffoli is a delightful Italian dessert made from small fried dough balls coated in honey and topped with festive sprinkles this recipe serves 40 and takes about 1 hour to make it’s perfect for sharing during the holiday season!
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💗 🎄Why You’ll Love This Christmas Struffoli Recipe:
- Traditional Italian Treat: Christmas Struffoli brings authentic Italian holiday flavors to your home.
- Festive and Fun: The colorful sprinkles and honey coating make this dessert perfect for holiday gatherings.
- Easy to Share: The bite-sized pieces are perfect for sharing with family and friends.
- Quick Cooking: Although there are several steps, each one is quick, and the whole recipe can be completed in about an hour.
- Kid-Friendly: Children will love helping roll the dough and decorate the final dish with sprinkles.
- Perfect for Gifting: Packaged in a festive tin, Struffoli makes a wonderful homemade gift for the holidays.
❓ 🎅 What Is Christmas Struffoli Recipe?
Christmas Struffoli is an Italian holiday dessert made of small fried dough balls coated in honey and sprinkles it’s a festive treat often shaped into a mound or wreath and enjoyed with family during the Christmas season.
🥚 Christmas Struffoli Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 2 tbsp butter (melted)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Pinch of salt
- 1 cup honey
- 1/4 cup sugar
- Sprinkles (for decoration)
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
🧆 How To Make Christmas Struffoli
- In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, salt, and lemon zest. Add the eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Stir to combine until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Roll the dough into thin ropes, about 1/2 inch in diameter. Cut the ropes into small pieces (around the size of a marble).
- Heat oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C). Fry the dough balls in batches until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
- In a saucepan, heat honey and sugar together until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and toss the fried dough balls in the honey mixture until fully coated.
- Arrange the honey-coated balls into a mound or wreath shape on a serving platter.
- Sprinkle generously with colorful sprinkles. Let the Struffoli cool for about 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
⛄ Recipe Tips ⛄:
- Use room temperature eggs to ensure the dough mixes evenly.
- Don’t overwork the dough; mix until just combined for the best texture.
- Fry in small batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, which can lower the oil temperature and result in greasy Struffoli.
- Drain excess oil from the fried dough balls on paper towels to keep them crisp.
- Warm the honey mixture slightly before coating the dough to ensure the honey sticks evenly.
- Add different toppings like candied fruit or almonds for extra flavor and texture.
🥂 What To Serve With Christmas Struffoli?
Christmas Struffoli pairs perfectly with a hot cup of White Hot Chocolate for a festive touch, serve it alongside a glass of Cranberry Martini or eggnog, making it a delightful addition to any holiday dessert table.
🎚 How To Store Leftovers Christmas Struffoli?
- At Room Temperature: Store leftovers christmas struffoli in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. The honey coating helps preserve the texture, keeping the dough balls soft and delicious.
- In The Refrigerator: For longer storage place leftovers christmas struffoli in the fridge for up to a week. Ensure it’s in an airtight container to prevent the dough from drying out.
🥵 How To Reheat Leftovers Christmas Struffoli?
- In The Microwave: For a quick reheating option place a serving of leftovers christmas struffoli on a microwave-safe plate and heat for 10-15 seconds.
- In The Oven: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C) Spread leftovers christmas struffoli on a baking sheet and bake for 3-6 minutes to gently warm it up while maintaining its texture.
FAQ’S
What is the origin of Christmas Struffoli?
Christmas Struffoli originates from Southern Italy, particularly Naples it is a traditional Italian dessert served during the holiday season and is known for its crunchy, sweet texture, making it a festive and beloved treat.
How do I prevent Christmas Struffoli from becoming soggy?
To prevent Christmas Struffoli from becoming soggy, ensure that the dough balls are fried until golden brown and crisp. After frying, let them drain well on paper towels before coating with honey. This helps maintain their crunchiness.
What type of honey is best for Christmas Struffoli?
Light and mild honey, such as clover or orange blossom honey, works well for Christmas Struffoli. These types of honey don’t overpower the flavor of the dough balls and add the perfect amount of sweetness.
What is the best oil to use for frying Christmas Struffoli?
Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable or canola oil, for frying Christmas Struffoli. These oils allow the dough balls to fry evenly and become crispy without adding extra flavor.
Can I bake Christmas Struffoli instead of frying?
Traditional Christmas Struffoli is fried to achieve its signature crunchy texture. Baking might result in a softer, less crispy dessert, but it is possible if you prefer a healthier option. However, frying gives the authentic taste.
Why is Christmas Struffoli popular during the holidays?
Christmas Struffoli is popular during the holidays because of its festive appearance, sweet flavor, and cultural tradition. Its golden honey glaze and colorful sprinkles make it a beautiful addition to any holiday table.
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Christmas Struffoli Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1/6th of the recipe
- Calories: 327
- Total Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
- Sodium: 75mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 42g
- Sugars: 20g
- Protein: 6g
- Fiber: 2g
- Vitamin A: 2%
- Calcium: 4%
- Iron: 6%
Christmas Struffoli
Description
Christmas Struffoli is a delightful Italian dessert made from small fried dough balls coated in honey and topped with festive sprinkles this recipe serves 40 and takes about 1 hour to make it’s perfect for sharing during the holiday season!
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, salt, and lemon zest. Add the eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Stir to combine until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Roll the dough into thin ropes, about 1/2 inch in diameter. Cut the ropes into small pieces (around the size of a marble).
- Heat oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C). Fry the dough balls in batches until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
- In a saucepan, heat honey and sugar together until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and toss the fried dough balls in the honey mixture until fully coated.
- Arrange the honey-coated balls into a mound or wreath shape on a serving platter.
- Sprinkle generously with colorful sprinkles. Let the Struffoli cool for about 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
- Use room temperature eggs to ensure the dough mixes evenly.
Don’t overwork the dough; mix until just combined for the best texture.
Fry in small batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, which can lower the oil temperature and result in greasy Struffoli.
Drain excess oil from the fried dough balls on paper towels to keep them crisp.
Warm the honey mixture slightly before coating the dough to ensure the honey sticks evenly.
Add different toppings like candied fruit or almonds for extra flavor and texture.
