Ingredients
Dough:
- 2 cups flour, plus extra for dusting
- 1 large lemon, zested (about 2 teaspoons)
- 1/2 large orange, zested (about 2 teaspoons)
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 stick (2 ounces) unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces, at room temperature
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon white wine, such as pinot grigio
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Canola oil, for frying
- 1 cup honey
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 1/2 cups hazelnuts, toasted (see Cook's Note)
- Vegetable oil cooking spray
- Sugar sprinkles, for decoration
- Powdered sugar, for dusting, optional
Directions
For the dough: In the bowl of a food processor, pulse together 2 cups of flour, lemon zest, orange zest, sugar, salt, and baking powder. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture resembles a coarse meal. Add the eggs, wine, and vanilla. Pulse until the mixture forms into a ball. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Cut the dough into 4 equal-sized pieces. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each piece of dough until 1/4-inch thick. Cut each piece of dough into 1/2-inch wide strips. Cut each strip of pastry into 1/2-inch pieces. Roll each piece of dough into a small ball about the size of a hazelnut. Lightly dredge the dough balls in flour, shaking off any excess. In a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, pour enough oil to fill the pan about a third of the way. Heat over medium heat until a deep-frying thermometer inserted in the oil reaches 375 degrees F. (If you don't have a thermometer a cube of bread will brown in about 3 minutes.). In batches, fry the dough until lightly golden, about 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. (The rested and quartered dough can also be rolled on a floured work surface into 1/2-inch thick logs and cut into equal-sized 1/2-inch pieces. The dough pieces can then be rolled into small balls and fried as above).
In a large saucepan, combine the honey, sugar, and lemon juice over medium heat. Bring to a boil and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is dissolved, about 3 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat. Add the fried dough and hazelnuts and stir until coated in the honey mixture. Allow the mixture to cool in the pan for 2 minutes.
Spray the outside of a small, straight-sided water glass with vegetable oil cooking spray and place in the center of a round platter. Using a large spoon or damp hands, arrange the struffoli and hazelnuts around the glass to form a wreath shape. Drizzle any remaining honey mixture over the struffoli. Allow to set for 2 hours (can be made 1 day in advance). Decorate with sprinkles and dust with powdered sugar, if using. Remove the glass from the center of the platter and serve.
Cook's Note: To toast the hazelnuts, arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 350 degrees F oven until lightly toasted, 8 to 10 minutes. Cool completely before using.
1 Video | Photo: Struffoli Recipe













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By fatimavh
on May 15, 2013
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Delicious! What I did was put grated hazelnuts INSIDE the dough balls (bigger of course and fry like that.
By Kim210
on April 02, 2013
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I had been looking for a Struffoli recipe to make for Easter, as I wanted to bring back some of the old Italian traditions that my extended family had started to move away from because either no one had the time to put in to make things from scratch, or those who did have the time were becoming too elderly and tired to continue on the tradition. I made it for Easter last year, to mediocre reviews from the family. This year I searched for a new recipe and came across this one. Well, it was like night and day!! My 92 year old grandfather, who is VERY particular about such recipes and who really didn't like last year's recipe, absolutely LOVED this! I was stuck with so much leftover last year and this year the entire platter was wiped clean. This is definitely going to be the recipe I use from now on, as I'm told it is the closest thing to my great grandmother's recipe. Next, I'll be making this for Christmas!
By mjork
Dallas, TX
on March 02, 2013
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Not a criticism Giada's version, just the dessert itself. A lot of work with minimal return. Looks awesome, tastes okay.
I realize this a tradition with some Italian-American families. All others may want to make a small batch and see if you like it after it sits for a day or two.
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