Traditional Struffoli Recipe With Cognac

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

What are 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 how my Aunt Ada use to make them, and I could finish the entire serving 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.

Storing Struffoli

Even if it takes some time to roll and cut all the little balls, they 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 will be done 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 butter biscuit dough and you can find my other tips for surviving Christmas in this articles:

10 Tips for Surviving Christmas Cooking

Ingredients to make Struffoli

For the struffoli you will need:

• 3 1/2 cup of flour
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup of cognac
• 1 cup 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 rests 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 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

1. Pour the Struffoli into a large frying pan and add 1 cup of honey. Stir well over medium heat until the honey caramelizes, then completely coat the Struffoli.
2. Pour over a serving dish, and make them into the shape of a mountain.
3. Add some coloured sprinkles and let it cool completely before serving them.

They are now ready to eat. Enjoy!

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5 from 5 votes

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 Time30 mins

Cook Time30 mins

Total Time3 hrs

Course: Desserts

Cuisine: Italian

Servings: 8 people

Calories: 393kcal

Author: Laura Tobin

Ingredients

Struffoli (Pignolata)

• 3 1/2 cup flour
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup cognac
• 1 cup honey
• Vegetable oil for deep frying

US Customary - Metric

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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!

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Notes

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

Nutrition Facts

Traditional Struffoli Recipe With Cognac

Amount Per Serving

Calories 393 Calories from Fat 18

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 2g 3%

Cholesterol 81mg 27%

Sodium 34mg 1%

Potassium 110mg 3%

Total Carbohydrates 76g 25%

Dietary Fiber 1g 4%

Sugars 35g

Protein 8g 16%

Vitamin A 2.4%

Vitamin C 0.3%

Calcium 2.3%

Iron 17.2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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