Italian Struffoli Food

GRANDMA HELEN'S STRUFFOLI

Steps:

• Mix all dry ingredients together in a large bowl.
• Add all liquid ingredients (Except honey) to dry to form a dough.
• Knead dough well to incorporate all ingredients.
• For balls roll dough out in 1/4 inch round strips like pencils.
• Cut the pieces at small intervals with an angle cut.
• How far apart you make the cut is your judgment call, as the smaller the spacing the smaller the balls and vice versa.
• Mom likes the look leaving them as is with the angle cut giving a unique shape to the balls as they fry.
• If you prefer perfectly rounded balls, you can roll the pieces in the palms of your hands like miniature meatballs before frying.
• For ribbons cut some of the dough in flat strips about 1/2 inch wide preferably using a crimped edge cutting wheel as it gives a fancy serrated edge to them.
• Form loops or bow shapes with the ribbons and deep fry balls and ribbons separately until golden brown (ribbons as they are flat will cook quicker than the balls).
• Drain on absorbent paper.
• Heat honey in a deep pot until it starts to thin out and become pourable.
• Remove from heat.
• Dip bows and ribbons in warm honey and set aside.
• Add balls to the honey and toss to coat.
• Transfer balls to holiday platter and top with the ribbons and bows.
• Or you can mound the balls to look like a Christmas tree and decorate with bows on the sides.
• Sprinkle with multi colored sprinkles.

ITALIAN STRUFFOLI

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, whisk together the vanilla, rum, eggs, egg yolks, and 1/4 cup canola oil. In another bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, and sugar. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients slowly and mix the whole time with an electric mixer. (I use my Kitchen-aid.) Beat until mixture forms a soft dough. Put plastic wrap over it and let it rest for 30 minutes.
• Divide dough in half. Form each half into ropes 1/2 inch in diameter. Cut each rope into 3/4 inch pieces. Roll each piece into a ball.
• In a pot or saucepan, heat 3 inches of oil. Add dough balls in batches and fry about 2 minutes until gold in color. Transfer to a platter lined with paper towels.
• In another saucepan, combine the honey, sugar, and cinnamon stick. Cook the mixture until the sugar is dissolved, stirring often. Simmer for a couple of minutes. Remove the cinnamon stick and stir in the dough balls. Transfer the strufolli to a serving dish and serve at room temperature.