What is the history of struffoli?

Well yes, according to tradition, it was the ancient Greeks who brought struffoli to the Gulf of Naples . In fact, it is precisely from the Greek that the name of this typical dessert derives, more precisely from the word “strongolus”, i.e. from the rounded shape.

What do struffoli taste like?

Struffoli have a sweet citrus flavor , a sticky honey glaze, a crispy exterior, and the softest center imaginable… I can't think of anything that would make this Italian Christmas dessert recipe any more delicious than it already is!

What are honey balls made of?

Tiny balls of dough are fried until golden-brown. Crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, they're then tossed in a sticky-sweet honey syrup and decorated with rainbow sprinkles. You'll find these glistening mounds on Italian dessert spreads all holiday season long.

LaRosa's Struffoli are loved worldwide for their rich honey flavor and unique handmade texture. When it comes to baked goods, quality ingredients and baking techniques make a huge difference in quality, and we don't “mass produce” our Struffoli at LaRosa's.

What is a fun fact about struffoli?

The dish originally came to Naples from Greece, and the name struffoli comes from the Greek word stróngylos, meaning “round.” Struffoli can be found throughout southern Italy, with many names and varieties, including cicerata and cicerchiata.

What is the difference between Turdilli and Struffoli?

Turdilli are similar to Struffoli – both are dripping in honey, however Turdilli cookies include a special ingredient – wine ! Turdilli are native to Calabria, but Italians and Italian Americans everywhere enjoy them. I've seen recipes that use red vermouth but any sweet wine will do.

What does Struffoli mean in English?

Struffoli, also known as Honey Balls (Italian: [ˈstruffoli]; Neapolitan: struffule, Neapolitan: [ˈstrufːulə]), is a Neapolitan dish made of deep fried balls of sweet dough.

How many calories are in a Struffoli?

Calories in Struffoli (Italian Honey Balls) Calories 74.9 Cholesterol 30.0 mg Sodium 45.5 mg Potassium 6.8 mg Total Carbohydrate 14.8 g 8 more rows

What are bliss balls made of?

These healthy bliss balls are filled with nourishing ingredients like oats, dates, and fruit . Customize with any nut or seed butter and dried berries of your choice. The perfect make ahead snack!

What is the name of the Italian sweet yeast bread available around the world during the Winter Festival season?

Panettone is a towering round of sweet bread speckled with raisins, citrus, and almonds with a plush, buttery texture that is popular both here and all over Italy during the winter holidays. It makes a dramatic Christmas dessert or breakfast treat.

STRUFFOLI RECIPE AND HISTORY - traditional Italian honey balls (2024)

Jump to Recipe

Struffoli recipe, along with Babà, "Pastiera", and "Zeppole di San Giuseppe", is a classic sweet of the Neapolitan cuisine. Crispy honey balls with a tender heart seasoned with candied fruit, and sugar decorations. In Naples, this is traditionally a Christmas dessert, but in the rest of Italy, these delicious hone balls are a delicacy for all major festivities!

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NEAPOLITAN STRUFFOLI

Neapolitan Struffoli is an easy and tasty recipe.A big temptation usually placed in a domed cake plate during the festivities, and the dessert most swiped by the kids!

The dough is averagely sweet, because of the honey, and the sugar decorations, and candied fruit.

The size of Struffoli is maxed ¾ inch in order to obtain little spheres perfectly fried and crispy.

Even if Struffoli are delicious just cooked and glazed, they are even better a couple of days after, when the honey has penetrated the balls giving them more flavor.

GREEK AND SPANISH INFLUENCES

As many Neapolitan dishes, Struffoli recipe originates from Ancient Greece and Medieval Spanish cuisines.

The term Struffolo results from the Greek Strongoulos, that’s means “rounded”.

It seems the recipe that inspiredStruffoli is the Greek Loukoumades; sweet fritters glazed with honey, date back to Magna Grecia Era.

JUST A CHRISTMAS RECIPE?

Currently, Struffoli are exclusively a typical Christmas recipe, but only in the Naples territory.

This custom dates back to the XVIII Century thanks to the nuns, which have been the habit to prepare these little honey balls as a present for the nobles of the city.

Originally, Stuffoli were prepared all year long, and beyond Naples, they are still prepared for the major festivities, particularly Mardi Gras.

OLD RECIPE VS CONTEMPORARY RECIPE

Formerly, Struffoli have been kneaded and fried with lard. Currently, is common use butter instead of lard into the dough, and sesame oil to fry them.

Another recent addition is a pinch of baking soda into the mixture.

The traditional liquor to flavor Struffoli is a Neapolitan anise Brew but is not easy to find. So, itis frequent replace anise liquor with Rum. Brandy is another excellent option.

OTHER ITALIAN HONEY BALLS RECIPES

Born in Naples, Struffoli have been spread out quickly into the Southern Italian Cuisines with some little differences.

In Abruzzi, this recipe is called Cicerchiata, because of the shape of this honey balls, similar to Cicerchie, a local bean.

SERVING STRUFFOLI

Commonly, Struffoli are stored in a domed glass plate, and shaped into a cone.

Another traditional form of this tasty honey balls is shaped like a wreath.

On Christmas, an attractive option is inside an horn of plenty made with caramel and crashed hazelnuts.

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NEAPOLITAN STRUFFOLI RECIPE

Yield: 8

STRUFFOLI - traditional Italian honey balls

Prep Time30 minutes

Cook Time10 minutes

Total Time40 minutes

Ingredients

2 eggs
¾ Lb all porpuse flour (340 g)
2 oz caster sugar (55 g)
2 oz unsalted butter (55 g)
1 organic lemon
1 organic orange
3 tbsp candied fruit
1 cup (340 g)
2 tbsp sugar decorations
2 drops Rum or Brandy
1 drop Anise flavor
1 pinch table salt

Instructions

FIRST STEPS

Let the butter soften 30 minutes into the oven turned off with the light on, then cut it into pieces and stir with a fork until smooth and inflated.
After that, grate the lemon and orange to obtain zests.
Now, crack the eggs and pour them into a bowl along with the sugar, the softened butter, the lemon and orange zests, 2 drops of Rum or Brandy, 1 drop of Anise flavor, and 1 pinch of salt.
Finally, whisk until consistent.

STRUFFOLI DOUGH

Add the flour, a little at a time into the butter and eggs mixture.
Pouring the flour, pinch the dough with your fingers until the liquid will be absorbed by the flour, creating a sort of pastry crumbs.
Now, compact and stretch out the crumbs until obtaining a consistent dough.
Eventually, wrap the dough ant store into the lower part of the fridge at least 2 hours.

STRUFFOLI GNOCCHI

Take a fistful of dough and roll it into a log ½ inch thick.
Now, reduce the log into pieces ½ inch long. After that, pour the sesame oil into a pot and place over medium heat until reach 356° F (180° C).
Eventually, fry the Struffoli a little at a time until golden, then place on paper towels to dry the oil in excess.

HONEY GLAZE AND SWEET DECORATIONS

Pour the honey into a nonstick pan, big enough to contain Struffoli.
Place the pan over low heat and stir until fluid.
Finally, place the pan far from the heat and add Struffoli and sweet decorations.
It is possible to serve Struffoli just prepared, but the following days they will be even more delicious!

Nutrition Information

Yield

Serving Size

1
Amount Per ServingCalories 338Total Fat 7gSaturated Fat 4gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 3gCholesterol 62mgSodium 37mgCarbohydrates 53gFiber 2gSugar 18gProtein 6g

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