If you’re craving a festive, delightful treat that bursts with bright citrus flavors and offers a fun, crunchy bite, look no further than this Easy Lemon Orange Struffoli Recipe. These golden, honey-coated dough balls are a classic Italian dessert with a refreshing twist, combining the zesty sparkle of lemon and orange zest with the irresistible sweetness of honey glaze. Perfect for celebrations or whenever you want to impress friends with a charming homemade confection, this recipe is as joyful to make as it is to eat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Easy Lemon Orange Struffoli Recipe lies in its simple, yet thoughtfully chosen ingredients. Each element plays a crucial role, whether it’s creating tender dough, adding brightness, or lending that irresistible sticky sweetness and stunning presentation.
- 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour: The foundation of the dough, providing structure and the perfect chew.
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar: A touch of sweetness to balance the citrus and honey.
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt: Enhances all the flavors and keeps the dough balanced.
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder: Helps create light and fluffy dough balls.
- 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature: Adds richness and tenderness to the dough.
- Zest of 1 lemon: Infuses every bite with fresh, zesty brightness.
- Zest of 1 orange: Adds a sweet citrus aroma and complements the lemon perfectly.
- 3 large eggs: Binds the dough together while adding richness.
- 1 tablespoon Marsala or white wine: Gives subtle depth and authenticity to the dough flavor.
- 1 quart (945 ml) canola oil: For frying, providing a neutral base that crisps the dough balls beautifully.
- 1/2 cup honey: The sticky, sweet glaze that brings everything together.
- 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice: Lightens the honey glaze with a citrusy tang.
- Nonstick cooking spray: Ensures easy removal of the wreath from the mold without sticking.
- Rainbow nonpareil sprinkles: Adds festive color and a playful crunch, making the dish extra special.
How to Make Easy Lemon Orange Struffoli Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Start by pulsing your dry ingredients—flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder—in a food processor just to combine. Adding the butter along with lemon and orange zest next will create a sandy, fragrant mixture that smells like sunshine. Then, add the eggs and Marsala wine and process everything until the dough forms a cohesive ball. Wrap it tightly and chill it for about an hour so it firms up for easy handling.
Step 2: Divide and Portion the Dough
Once your dough is nicely chilled and firm, cut it into eight manageable pieces, keeping the portions covered to prevent drying. This division ensures each dough piece is easier to roll and shape without becoming too sticky or unwieldy.
Step 3: Shape the Dough Balls
Work on a floured surface, rolling each dough piece into a long 12-inch rope. Then, cut each rope into about 24 half-inch pieces. Roll each piece gently between your palms until you have perfectly round tiny balls. These little beauties will puff up and crisp nicely when fried, so uniformity helps them cook evenly.
Step 4: Heat Oil for Frying
Heat your canola oil in a Dutch oven or heavy pot until it reaches 375°F (190°C), ensuring the perfect temperature for frying. Fry the dough balls in batches, gently stirring so they don’t stick together. When they turn a beautiful golden brown, transfer them to a paper towel-lined pan to drain excess oil before moving onto glazing.
Step 5: Prepare Honey Glaze
Warm the honey until it becomes runny—about 30 seconds in the microwave—and stir in fresh orange juice to create a glossy, citrus-kissed glaze. This glaze is essential to coat the struffoli so they stick together and shine with a sweet, tangy finish.
Step 6: Coat Struffoli with Glaze
Place your fried dough balls in a large bowl and gently toss them with the honey-orange glaze, making sure every piece has a sticky, glossy coating. This step transforms the small fried dough pieces into a delightful mass of sweet, citrusy goodness.
Step 7: Shape and Decorate
Spray a drinking glass with nonstick cooking spray and set it in the center of your serving platter. Using a slotted spoon, mound the coated struffoli around the glass, shaping them into a festive wreath. Drizzle any leftover glaze on top, then sprinkle generously with rainbow nonpareils for that extra joyful pop of color and fun texture.
Step 8: Set and Serve
Let the struffoli sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes so the honey glaze firm up and the wreath holds its shape perfectly. Carefully remove the glass from the center, and get ready to impress your guests with this stunning and delicious treat.
How to Serve Easy Lemon Orange Struffoli Recipe
Garnishes
The traditional rainbow nonpareil sprinkles create an eye-catching contrast to the golden struffoli, but you can also add fresh citrus zest or a light dusting of powdered sugar for an elegant touch. Toasted sliced almonds or chopped pistachios make delightful crunchy garnishes that add nutty flavor and a beautiful finish.
Side Dishes
Struffoli pairs wonderfully with a simple cup of espresso or a fragrant tea to balance the rich sweetness. For festive gatherings, serve alongside fresh fruit platters or light cheese plates to add variety to your spread without overwhelming the palate.
Creative Ways to Present
While the wreath shape is classic and spectacular, you can also pile struffoli into colorful glass jars as charming edible gifts or arrange them in individual paper cups for easy sharing. They shine beautifully on serving platters with edible flowers or citrus slices for extra flair.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once the struffoli has set, store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. Properly stored, they will keep their flavor and texture for up to five days, making them perfect for prepping in advance of your next celebration.
Freezing
For longer storage, you can freeze struffoli in a sealed container or freezer bag. Thaw them at room temperature when ready to serve. Although the texture may slightly soften, reheating briefly can help regain some crispness.
Reheating
To refresh leftover struffoli, warm them gently in a low oven or toaster oven for a few minutes. This helps the honey glaze become slightly sticky again and gives the dough balls a delightful crispness much like when freshly made.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of flour for this recipe?
All-purpose flour is ideal for this Easy Lemon Orange Struffoli Recipe as it provides the perfect balance of structure and tenderness. Using cake flour might make the dough too delicate, while bread flour could make it too chewy.
Is it necessary to fry the struffoli, or can they be baked?
Traditionally, struffoli are fried to achieve their signature crisp, golden exterior. Baking is possible but won’t produce the same texture or flavor. If you try baking, expect a softer, less crunchy result.
Can I substitute the Marsala or white wine?
If you don’t have Marsala or white wine on hand, a splash of orange juice or a mild vinegar like apple cider vinegar can provide acidity that helps balance the dough’s flavor without overpowering the citrus zest.
How long should I let the dough chill?
Chilling the dough for at least one hour is essential to firm it up, making it easier to roll and cut. If pressed for time, 30 minutes might work, but the dough will be trickier to handle and could lose some of its best texture.
What’s the best way to store struffoli to maintain freshness?
Store struffoli in an airtight container at room temperature, avoiding refrigeration which can cause the honey glaze to become sticky and less crisp. Keep them away from humidity to maintain their delightful crunch.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Lemon Orange Struffoli Recipe is an absolute joy to make and share, with its bright citrus zing and sweet honey crunch bringing smiles all around. Whether for holidays or a special occasion, take the time to create this charming treat – you’ll love every step and every bite!
Print
Easy Lemon Orange Struffoli Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
This Easy Lemon Orange Struffoli recipe offers a delightful twist on traditional Italian Christmas honey balls by incorporating fresh citrus zest and juice for a bright, festive flavor. Crispy fried dough balls are coated in a warm honey-orange glaze and decorated with colorful sprinkles, making a beautiful and delicious wreath-shaped dessert perfect for holiday celebrations or any special gathering.
Ingredients
Dough
- 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Zest of 1 orange
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon Marsala or white wine
Frying
- 1 quart (945 ml) canola oil
Honey Glaze
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
Decoration
- Nonstick cooking spray
- Rainbow nonpareil sprinkles, for decorating
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: In a food processor, pulse the flour, granulated sugar, salt, and baking powder about 4 times to combine. Add butter, lemon zest, and orange zest and pulse another 4 times until the mixture has a sandy texture. Add eggs and Marsala wine and process until the dough forms a ball, about 1 minute. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate until very firm, approximately 1 hour.
- Divide and portion: Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut the chilled dough into 8 pieces, keeping the pieces covered with plastic wrap to prevent drying out.
- Shape the dough balls: On a floured surface, work with one dough piece at a time. Roll each piece into a 12-inch rope, then cut each rope into 24 pieces about 1/2 inch each. Roll each piece into a small ball and arrange them on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with all dough pieces.
- Heat oil for frying: Line another rimmed baking sheet with paper towels for draining. In a large Dutch oven equipped with a deep-fry thermometer, heat canola oil over medium heat to 375°F (190°C).
- Fry the struffoli: Working in 4 batches, carefully lower the dough balls into the hot oil using a spider or slotted spoon. Stir gently to separate the balls and fry for about 3 minutes until golden brown. Transfer the fried balls to the paper towel-lined sheet to drain excess oil. Repeat until all dough balls are fried.
- Prepare honey glaze: In a small microwave-safe bowl, microwave honey until runny, about 30 seconds. Stir in fresh orange juice to create a smooth glaze.
- Coat struffoli with glaze: In a large bowl, gently toss the fried dough balls with the honey-orange glaze until they are fully coated and sticky.
- Shape and decorate: Spray the outside of a drinking glass with nonstick cooking spray and place it in the center of a serving platter. Using a slotted spoon, pile the coated struffoli around the glass to form a wreath shape. Pour any remaining glaze over the top and decorate with rainbow nonpareil sprinkles.
- Set and serve: Let the struffoli sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes until the honey glaze firms up, helping the wreath hold its shape. Carefully remove the drinking glass from the center and serve.
Notes
- Keep dough covered with plastic wrap when not working with it to prevent drying out.
- Maintain oil temperature at 375°F (190°C) for even frying and to achieve a crispy texture.
- You can substitute Marsala wine with white wine or omit it for a non-alcoholic version.
- Store leftovers at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days; glaze may lose some firmness over time.
- For a gluten-free option, use a gluten-free flour blend suitable for baking.
