Traditional Struffoli Recipe With Cognac

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

This is the authentic Struffoli recipe, an Italian dessert mostly known as a Christmas tradition from Naples, but in many other Italian regions, it is eaten during Carnival and has different names: Pignolata, Purcedduzzi or Giggeri.

What is Struffoli

Whatever the tradition, I am happy to eat them anytime: they are fried dough coated with caramelized honey. The dough can be flavoured with lemon zest or orange flower water. But if you want the real thing, add some cognac.

This is my Aunt Ada’s Struffoli recipe, and I could finish the entire plate by myself.

To make it festive they are topped with rainbow sprinkles, and some recipes also mix them with “diavulilli” (little devil) which are candied fruits.

No baking powder in the Struffoli recipe

There are many Struffoli recipes with different ingredients to make the dough. Some use other liquors than cognac, some add lemon or orange zest, some add baking powder.

Originally there was no baking powder in the Struffoli dough and I prefer it that way. The Struffoli balls should not rise and become soft. Instead, they should maintain a nice firm consistency to give a nice crunch to the bite.

Storing Struffoli

Even if it takes some time to roll out and cut the little balls, you don’t have to do it right before your Christmas dinner. Struffoli can be frozen after they are fried. They can be coated with caramelized honey just before serving.

So I always have a good supply during the festive seasons. I make a large quantity and freeze them before coating them with honey. If I have unexpected guests or run out of dessert, they can be ready in minutes.

I fry a large batch of Struffoli and freeze them in a plastic bag. When  I need them, I take out the necessary amount and put them straight into the pan with the honey.

They are done in a flash.

As a reserve for desserts, I also freeze Italian butter cookies dough and you can check the recipe here.

If you want to know what else I freeze in my freezer, you can read the article: Once a Month Freezer Meal Prep

Ingredients to make this Struffoli recipe

For the Struffoli you will need:

• 3 1/2 cup – 450 g of flour
• 3 tbsp – 60 g of butter
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 pinch salt
• 4 eggs
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1/2 cup – 120 ml of cognac
• 1 cup – 350 ml of honey
• Vegetable oil for deep frying

How to make Struffoli Step by Step

1. Mix all the ingredients together to make the dough.
2. Let it rest for 1.5 hrs.
3. Place the Struffoli dough over a floured surface, take a small piece of dough and roll it into a long thin shape.
4. Cut them into small pieces and continue with the rest of the dough. Keep them well floured so they don’t stick to each other.
5. In the meantime prepare the frying pan and heat up the oil. Start frying the Struffoli until they are golden. Turn them so that they cook evenly.
6. Place them on layers of kitchen paper to absorb the oil.

NOTE: At this point, you can freeze the Struffoli if you want to use them at a later time. You do not need to defrost them and bring them to room temperature, before continuing to the next step. They will defrost with the heat of the honey.

Coating the Struffoli

7. Pour the Struffoli into a large frying pan and add 1 cup of honey. Stir well over a medium heat until the honey caramelizes, then completely coats the Struffoli.

8. Pour into a serving dish, and pile them into the shape of a mountain.
9. Add some coloured sprinkles and let them cool completely before serving.

They are now ready to eat. Enjoy!

Top tips

• If you like firm crunchy Struffoli do not add baking powder
• You can substitute Cognac with Rum or white wine
• Beside lemon zest, you can also add orange zest
• To make it more festive, mix candied cherries or other candied fruits with the fried Struffoli
• Once you fry the Struffoli you can freeze them and coat them in honey just before you want to serve them.
• Let the dough rest for 1.5 hours before shaping the Struffoli balls

More fried Italian desserts

There are many fried Italian desserts traditionally made for the holidays. I will slowly add more to the list. For the moment, don’t miss out on the famous Bow Tie Chiacchiere:

Traditional Oreillettes Chiacchiere Recipe

This Oreillettes or Chiacchiere recipe is a traditional dessert usually sold during holidays in Italy and in France at Christmas as well as Carnival. They are strips of fried dough covered with icing sugar, crunchy and thin. Once you eat one you cannot stop.

Check out this recipe

If you are making Struffoli, leave your comment below I would like to hear from you. You can find more delicious ideas if you FOLLOW ME on Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest and Instagram or sign up to my newsletter.

Traditional Struffoli Recipe With Cognac

Struffoli is an Italian dessert mostly known as a Christmas tradition from Naples, but in many other Italian regions are traditional during Carnival. #yourguardianchef #dessert #Christmas

Prep Time 30 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 3 hours

Servings: 8 people

Print Pin Rate

Author: Laura Tobin

Ingredients

Struffoli (Pignolata)

• 3 1/2 cup flour
• 1 tsp caster sugar
• 3 tbsp butter
• 4 fresh eggs
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1 pinch salt
• 1/2 cup Cognac
• 1 cup honey
• vegetable oil for frying

US Customary - Metric

Love this recipe?Follow @YGuardianChef on Pinterest

Instructions

• Mix all the ingredients together to make the dough and it rests for 1.5 hrs.
• Place the Struffoli dough over a floured surface, take a small piece of dough and roll it into a long thin shape.
• Cut them into small pieces and continue with the rest of the dough. Keep them well floured so they don’t stick to each other.
• In the meantime prepare the frying pan and heat up the oil. Start frying the Struffoli until they are golden. Turn them so they cook evenly.
• Place them on layers of kitchen paper to absorb the oil.
• At this point you can freeze the Struffoli if you want to use them at a later time. You do not need to defrost them and bring them to room temperature, before continuing to the next step. They will defrost with the heat of the honey.
• Pour the Struffoli into a large frying pan and add 1 cup of honey. Stir well over a medium heat until the honey caramelizes, then completely coat the Struffoli.
• Pour over a serving dish, and make them into the shape of a mountain.
• Add some coloured sprinkles and let it cool completely before serving them.
• They are now ready to eat. Enjoy!

Video

Liked this video?Check out My YouTube Channel!

Notes

• If you like firm crunchy Struffoli do not add baking powder
• You can substitute Cognac with Rum or white wine
• Beside lemon zest, you can also add orange zest
• To make it more festive, mix candied cherries or other candied fruits with the fried Struffoli
• Once you fry the Struffoli you can freeze them and coat them in honey just before you want to serve them.
• Let the dough rest for 1.5 hours before shaping the Struffoli balls

NOTE: Once fried, you can freeze the Struffoli if you want to use them at a later time. You do not need to defrost them and bring them to room temperature, before continuing to the next step. They will defrost with the heat of the honey.

Nutrition

Calories: 393kcal | Carbohydrates: 76g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 34mg | Potassium: 110mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 35g | Vitamin A: 120IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 3.1mg

GET NEW RECIPES SENT TO YOUR INBOXCheck out Your Guardian Chef!

Recipes you might also like

For more winter desserts recipes, check out the category: Desserts
Also, check the recipes below for Christmas:

Walnut Dark Chocolate Sponge Cake with Raspberry

Creamy and nutty chocolate sponge cake: dark chocolate taste with the soft texture of the meringue, chocolate icing and the raspberry to complete

Check out this recipe

Roasted Chestnuts Recipe

I like to celebrate Autumn with a Roasted Chestnuts Recipe as they have been my Autumn delight since I was young: roasted, boiled, savory and desserts #yourfuargianchef #chestnut

Check out this recipe

Torrone Italian Nougat Recipe

Usually exchanged as edible gifts, it is a caramelized mix of marshmallow and honey filled with toasted almonds and pistachios. #yourguardianchef #ediblegift #italianrecipe

Check out this recipe

Pavlova Recipe with Chestnut Mousse

This pavlova recipe is my version of Mont Blanc with Chestnut Mousse, made with 2 large round shapes of meringue covering them with chestnut mousse. #yourguardianche #dessert #Italianfood

Check out this recipe

Torta Caprese with Almond and Chocolate - Gluten Free

Caprese cake is an almond chocolate cake from Naples, which was created by mistake! There is no flour, so it's perfect for people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance. Creamy and chocolaty, the ground almonds give it a perfect crunchy texture.

Check out this recipe

Classic American Brownies

These brownies are devilishly delicious, and unhealthy. They are so chocolaty, gooey and there is so much butter in them.

Check out this recipe

Homemade Cinnamon Buns

Soft and buttery inside, crunchy and gooey outside, our special Christmas Cinnamon Buns morning treat. Prepared the night before and baked in the morning #yourguardianchef #breakfast #cinnamon

Check out this recipe

Mini Meringues Recipe

This is my secret mini meringue recipe to make meringues thick and crunchy that doesn’t stick to your teeth, Not secret anymore #yourguardianchef #dessert #Italianfood

Check out this recipe

Scandinavian Almond Cake With Custard Cream

This is an extraordinary Scandinavian almond cake, a crunchy spongy almond meringue covered with vanilla custard cream. A gluten-free delight, make it once for your dinner party and enjoy its extraordinary flavour and remarkable success. No wonder is called Suksesskake!

#yourguardianchef #decadent #dessert #butter

Check out this recipe

Ile Flottante Recipe

Ile flottante means floating island and consists in a foaming meringue floating in a crème anglaise (custard) sprinkled with caramel and pralines. It can be a challenging recipe. If you want to make it at home, here are step by step instructions, easy to follow and with a guaranteed success. #yourguardianchef #dessert #frenchrecipe

Check out this recipe

Traditional Oreillettes Chiacchiere Recipe

This Oreillettes or Chiacchiere recipe is a traditional dessert usually sold during holidays in Italy and in France at Christmas as well as Carnival. They are strips of fried dough covered with icing sugar, crunchy and thin. Once you eat one you cannot stop.

Check out this recipe