Italian Holiday Cookies

  Desserts

Many of our holiday traditions center around the foods my mother made while I was growing up. These cookies, which we called "Strufoli", bring back wonderful memories.

Italian Holiday Cookies

Average Rating: 4.5

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 20 min. Cook: 15 min.
YIELD: about 15 dozen.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • Oil for deep-fat frying
  • 1 cup honey
  • Candy sprinkles

Instructions

  • 1. In a bowl, combine sugar, lemon zest, vanilla and salt. Add eggs and 2 cups flour; mix well. Turn onto a floured surface and knead in remaining flour (dough will be soft). With a floured knife or scissors, cut into 20 pieces. With hands, roll each piece into pencil shapes. Cut "pencils" into 1/2-in. pieces. In an electric skillet or deep-fat fryer, heat oil to 350°. Fry pieces, a few at a time, for 2 minutes per side or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Place in a large bowl. Heat honey to boiling; pour over cookies and mix well. With a slotted spoon, spoon onto a serving platter and slowly mound into a tree shape if desired. Decorate with candy sprinkles. Cool completely.

Nutrition Facts

1 cookie: 18 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 4mg cholesterol, 8mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.

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