Struffoli Neapolitan Christmas Fried Balls Recipes

STRUFFOLI ( NEAPOLITAN CHRISTMAS FRIED BALLS ) RECIPE

Steps:

• 01 - Place in a bowl Flour on a clean surface to work on the Dough. 02 - Form a well in the Flour, and place right in the centre Sugar, Eggs, Orange Zest, Butter and Aniseed Liqueur. Knead until smooth and uniform. 03 - Move the Dough to a bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel and let it rest for about 30 minute at room temperature. 04 - Cut the Dough into 6 - 8 Balls. Roll the Dough Balls into a 1cm / 0.4in thick strings. 05 - Cut the Strings into small pieces 1cm / 0.4in long. Place all the balls on a clean towel. 06 - Heat the Oil at frying temperature ( 180C / 356F ) and using a skimmer immerge 10 - 20 Dough Balls at a time for about 4 minutes or until they golden, and transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to dry excess oil. 07 - While the Struffoli cool, melt the Honey in bowl over very low heat. 08 - Mix in the Struffoli, the Cake Sprinkles, Candied Fruits and gently stir with a wooden spoon to combine. 09 - Place the Struffoli on a large plate. Let it cool. Serve.

NEAPOLITAN STRUFFOLI

Steps:

• Combine flour, lemon zest, orange zest, baking powder, and salt together in a food processor; pulse to combine. Mix eggs and sugar together in a separate bowl; add 1/3 cup olive oil and vanilla extract and beat again. Mix together with flour mixture using hands to knead.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Heat frying oil in a deep saucepan over medium heat until the temperature reaches 375 degrees F (190 degrees C), about 5 minutes.
• Transfer dough to a floured work surface; continue to knead sticky dough with floured hands. Flatten dough into a thin loaf about 10 inches long. Cut long ropes from the loaf, then slice ropes into 1/2-inch pieces and transfer to the prepared baking sheet.
• Fry dough pieces in batches in the hot oil until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels.
• Heat honey in a saucepan until warm and fluid, about 1 minute. Pour hot honey over struffoli and toss to coat. Sprinkle with multi-colored sprinkles.

STRUFFOLI

Steps:

• To the bowl of a standing mixer, add eggs, egg yolk, and sugar and beat with wire whisk attachment until frothy (about 1 minute)
• Add softened/melted butter and beat until it is incorporated
• Add orange zest, and alcohol (if using) and mix until combined
• Add flour and salt and knead dough until a soft and uniform dough is produced (this took less than 1 minute for me using a mixer)
• Wrap dough in plastic wrap and let rest on counter for 30 minutes or so
• When ready to begin rolling and cutting the dough, unwrap dough and form into a square; then cut the square into 4 or 5 strips.
• Roll each strip into a long and thin snake shape that is about 1/4 inch in diameter (length will vary depending on size of your cuts but will be about 1.5 to 2 feet in length)
• After all dough has been rolled out, begin to cut the rolls into small nuggets about 1/4 inch in size. Some people go on to roll each of these little pieces, but it is not necessary.
• Set a large pan with enough canola oil to fry (about 1/2 to 1 inch of oil) over medium high heat and heat for a few minutes (you'll know it's ready by dropping one piece of struffoli in it and seeing it bubble).
• Fry the dough balls in batches; don't crowd the pan. The dough balls should be ready in less than 1 minute as soon as they begin turning golden I start to take mine out after 30 to 40 seconds. This will vary depending on the power of your stove/heat.
• Remove dough balls from oil with slotted spoon and place on dish lined with paper towels.
• If you are not making the honey syrup right away, store the dough balls in a covered container overnight or you may also freeze for up to one month.
• Using a medium to large frying pan, add honey, cinnamon, and orange zest to the pan and then cook gently over medium heat until the mixture bubble gently.
• Remove pan from heat
• As soon as honey is removed from heat, add the fried dough balls to coat them and stir until honey begins to thicken/cool down. At this stage, add sprinkles and sliced almonds
• To shape the wreath, place a small glass in the center of a dinner plate and arrange struffoli all around. Top with additional sprinkles if desired while the honey balls are still warm (otherwise they won't stick).