Recipe: Strufoli

These are my father's favorite holiday treat. They are Italian honey balls. When I make them I skip the pine nuts...

Strufoli

3 cups all-purpose flour
4 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1 1/2 cups honey
3/4 cup pine nuts
2 1/4 ounces colored candy sprinkles

1.Melt the butter or margarine over low heat. Mix together in a large bowl 2-1/2 cups of the flour. Add sugar, baking powder, lemon rind and salt. Make a depression in the middle. Drop into it the eggs and the melted butter or margarine. Mix with a wooden spoon and then with the hands until dough leaves the sides of the bowl. Add remaining 1/2 cup of flour as needed. Knead dough on floured surface until it isn't sticky anymore.

2.Break off pieces of dough and roll into ropes about the size of a pencil. Cut into pieces 1/4 inch long. Roll these pieces into little balls and set aside.

3.In deep frying pan, heat oil about 2 inches deep. Fry balls until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.

4.In a large saucepan over medium heat, bring 1-1/2 cups of pure honey to a boil. Let honey boil gently for about 3 minutes before adding little dough balls, stirring gently with wooden spoon until they are well-coated.

5.Remove balls from honey with a slotted spoon and place in a deep dish or mound them on a platter. Sprinkle surface evenly with nuts and multicolored sprinkles. Cool.