Struffoli Napoletani (Honey Balls)

This recipe has been a Christmas tradition in my family. It goes far back when I was a little girl helping my grandma' roll and cut the tiny pieces of dough. It's not that complicate as it looks but it does require some time. It takes lots love and patience to make it work Buon Natale e Buone Feste!

Ingredients

For 1 Person(s)

For the Struffoli:

3 cups flour
4 large eggs
3 tablesppons sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons Crisco or vegetable oil
1 tablespoons baking powder
1 1/2 white wine (or marsala, or lemon flavor liquor)
3 pounds honey
3 pounds Crisco for frying

Directions

On a baking board mix all ingredients except Honey and the 3lb. of Crisco.
Work it like a regular dough, not too soft.
Take a small piece at a time, with your hands roll it into a long strip adding a little flour to your hands so it makes it easy to roll it.
With knife cut in small pieces, sprinkle a little flour on it and set in trays.
In a pot at medium temperature, melt the Crisco, when hot, start to fry them a portion at a time, what ever the pot holds, and they should be all covered by the melted Crisco.
Continue stirring until light brown.
With a draining spoon place them in dishes over paper towel, also use paper towel between each layer so it will absorb the oil.
When all done frying, prepare another pot and melt honey over medium heat.
Drop in the "struffoli" , small portions at a time, same as when you fry them.
Stir a little, let them flavor in honey, and place them in paper cups .
Sprinkle some holiday confetti to decorate.
Some people use small pieces of citrus fruits.

Recipe Notes

Keep on adding flour if a little sticky. Cut small pieces because they do grow. Some people fix them in a serving dish but I like to use paper cups . It makes it easy and everyone can enjoy the individual portion.