Struffoli (Italian Honey Balls)

Name: Struffoli (Italian Honey Balls)
Total time: 1800 s
Ingredients: 3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour (about 400 grams); 3 tablespoons sugar (about 40 grams); 3 medium eggs; 1 egg yolk; 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted (about 60 grams); 1 tablespoon Sambuca (about 18 ml); 1 pinch fine salt; 1 vial orange flavoring; Vegetable oil, as needed, for frying (such as sunflower or canola oil); 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons honey (about 170 grams)

Giulia @follieaifornelli

This week I chose a recipe I've wanted to make for a long time: struffoli.
We're heading into the holiday season 🎄🎅🏻🤶🏻🎄, so I thought: what better recipe to honor both a beautiful city and a zodiac sign ♊ that represents someone special to me?
A true burst of sweet flavor.

Giulia @follieaifornelli

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Ingredients

30 min + cooking

3 1/3 cupsall-purpose flour (about 400 grams)
3 tablespoonssugar (about 40 grams)
3medium eggs
1egg yolk
1/4 cupunsalted butter, melted (about 60 grams)
1 tablespoonSambuca (about 18 ml)
1 pinchfine salt
1vial orange flavoring
Vegetable oil, as needed, for frying (such as sunflower or canola oil)
1/2 cupplus 2 tablespoons honey (about 170 grams)

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Steps

30 min + cooking

1

Melt the butter (1/4 cup or 60 grams) and let it cool slightly.
2

Combine all the ingredients except the flour: eggs, egg yolk, sugar, orange flavoring, salt, liqueur, and finally the melted butter. Add the flour last.
3

Once you have a smooth dough, let it rest for 30 minutes.
4

After resting, roll the dough into ropes, cut into small pieces, and shape into balls.
5

Heat the oil and fry the balls for a few minutes until golden. Let them cool.
6

Place the honey (1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons or 170 grams) in a pan and let it melt until it becomes slightly runny. Add the struffoli and, using a wooden spoon, stir to coat them completely in honey.
7

Remove the struffoli and decorate with your choice of toppings: colored sprinkles, candied citron, or cherries—get creative!