Italian Honey Balls. These are the authentic ones made by my 82 year old sister from our mother's recipe. If pine nuts aren't available, use slivered almonds instead.
INGREDIENTS (for 8 servings):
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 4 eggs, beaten
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 1/2 cups honey
- 3/4 cup pine nuts
- 2 1/4 ounces colored candy sprinkles
PREPARATION:
Melt the butter or margarine over low heat. Mix together in a large bowl 2-1/2 cups of the flour. Add sugar, baking powder, lemon rind and salt. Make a depression in the middle. 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. Add remaining 1/2 cup of flour as needed. Knead dough on floured surface until it isn't sticky anymore.
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.
In deep frying pan, heat oil about 2 inches deep. Fry balls until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
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.
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.