How To Make Honey Balls

May 2022
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Growing up in an Italian family, Honey Balls were always a part of the holiday dessert ensemble that also included Italian pastries, cakes and cookies. The Italian name for these delicious honey balls are known as “Struffoli“. I will show you how to make honey balls in an easy recipe below.

I have fond memories of my Grandma having this delicious dessert in her house during the holidays. The candied fruit was an accessory on these platters that you either ignored, or ate… I really would like to know who actually liked this candied fruit?! I think my Grandma was the only one I knew who ate this!

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Hosting a traditional holiday baking day

Every year I host a baking day with the women in my family, they are known as “The Vanchieri Ladies”, and one very close friend. I won’t mention names, but some come over to actually bake with me. Some come to just enjoy the prosecco and general fun we have on this occasion. Honey balls are one of the desserts we make every year. We will be taking a break this year because of world events. However I look forward in resuming my tradition next year.

So because of this break in tradition, I am taking the opportunity to write about it here and share with everyone this delicious recipe that is easy to make. You can also check out my other post here for some really fun baking decorations and the list of other desserts we make on our holiday baking day. These decorations can add just enough sparkle for the holidays.

Steps on how to make my Honey Balls

So I have made a few updates to my recipe over the years. One, I leave the candied fruit out. Secondly, I warm my honey in a pan and add the zest of an orange w some juice. The warm honey makes a huge difference when coating the fried dough balls. The orange also gives just a hint of citrus that I may be missing from that candied fruit!

With anything I create I always find it important on how you display your finished product. I sometimes add a paper doily. A pretty plate, I use these crystal plastic plates, clear cellophane and holiday ribbon. I love to hand out to select neighbors and friends during the holidays as a warm gesture of the season.

I have to be pretty quick, because my kids hover over these and will start eating before I get them packaged up. Just fried warm dough balls are irresistible! I usually make these a few days before Christmas Eve. They can last a few days on the counter. If you feel like the honey has soaked in, you can drizzle additional honey on the mound of honey balls and add extra sprinkles before serving.

This recipe is so simple and yet so gratifying. Ingredients are basic and this is a great project to do with your kids, a partner, or a few friends. They can roll the dough, cut, and make the balls. The most time consuming part of this project is rolling, cutting and preparing the balls before frying. With help, you can just fry up the completed balls as they are prepared.