Strufoli or Honey Balls

came from grandma, old italian favorite at christmas normally but good for any holday

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• INGREDIENTS

• 3  cups all-purpose flour
• 4  eggs, beaten
• 1⁄4 cup butter
• 1⁄2 cup white sugar
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 4  tablespoons marsala wine or 4  tablespoons  favorite flavor  liquor
• 1  tablespoon vanilla
• 1 1⁄2 cups honey
• 3⁄4 cup pine nuts (optional)
• 2 1⁄4 ounces  colored  candy sprinkles

Directions

1. Melt the butter or margarine over low heat.
2. Mix together in a large bowl 2-1/2 cups of the flour. Add sugar, flavoring and salt. Make a depression in the middle.
3. Drop into it the eggs and the melted butter or margarine. Mix with a wooden spoon and then with the hands until dough leaves the sides of the bowl.
4. Add remaining 1/2 cup of flour as needed. Knead dough on floured surface until it isn't sticky anymore.
5. Break off pieces of dough and roll into ropes about the size of a pencil. Cut into pieces 1/4 inch long. Roll these pieces into little balls and set aside.
6. In deep frying pan, heat oil about 2 inches deep. Fry balls until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
7. In a large saucepan over medium heat, bring 1-1/2 cups of pure honey to a boil. Let honey boil gently for about 3 minutes before adding little dough balls, stirring gently with wooden spoon until they are well-coated.
8. Remove balls from honey with a slotted spoon and place in a deep dish or mound them on a platter. Sprinkle surface evenly with nuts and multicolored sprinkles. Cool.