• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to header navigation
  • Skip to footer navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Work with Me
  • Press/PR
  • Contact
Display Search Bar

The Kitchen Whisperer

  • Home
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • Shop
  • Weekly Menu
  • Tuesday’s Tips

Dec182011

Struffoli!!! Wait… did you just call me a swear word?

Now for those that have never heard of it, apparently it’s this Italian “Honey Ball” dessert that is only made once a year.  It took me a few years to get it right and do it without getting 2nd degree burns (long story) but I have managed to do so.  Now these ‘tings (channeling my inner Italian-ness) are really easy to mix up and require but a few ingredients.  What’s time consuming is the rolling out the dough to these long strands and then cutting them into 900 flippin bajillion balls! Then the deep frying in batches.  Next we have this super secret, the familia will ‘off’ you if you say how we get the honey to stick to the ball without pooling and then FINALLY the fun part… Nonpareils!

Yes, nonpareils!  They cannot EVER be sprinkles, jimmies, sugars, nuts, etc.  They must only EVER be nonpareils.  Apparently, according to Mr. Fantabulous, anything else will change the taste <insert major eye rolling here>. Um okay baby if you say so.

Even though I was super busy with orders yesterday I wanted to surprise him with this as he looooooooooooooooooooooooooves them.  I typically make 2-3lb trays of them for him in a 2-week time span and he will eat them all…BY HIMSELF… yes, 6 pounds of struffoli by himself!  Yet the man doesn’t gain an ounce!  Hate him!  LOL

So yesterday as he’s walking towards the kitchen I hear him sniff REAL loud and say “Hey honey, that smell!? It almost smells like Struf… OMG (he now has entered the kitchen and see swhat I’m making)… OMG OMG OMG STRUFFOLI!!! You’re making ME Struffoli!!!  I love you soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much!”   Seriously to see that smile of his and his beautiful eyes light up over something so simple is probably the biggest reason why I cook and bake.  To me, that type of reaction is truly priceless!

After he finished giggling like a 5 year old because he was so giddy he proceeds to say “Hey, please don’t burn yourself again like you did last year! That’s your baking hand!”  LOL

Side story here: last year I was making struffoli and the honey sauce wasn’t coming together right.  So I went to taste it and not thinking, I stuck my finger into the BOILING and BUBBLING hot honey mixture.  Yeah… genius move there Einstein huh! Needless to say I ended up with 2nd degree burns the day before Christmas and a scar to remind me of my ding dong move!

As I’m putting the billion nonpareils on the struffoli, and coincidentally all over my floors and counters as apparently they are made out of the same materials as super balls because they bounced EVERYWHERE!, he goes “Have I told you lately that I loved you the mostest?”

That, made my day 🙂

Sharing is caring!

Previous Post
Next Post

Reader Interactions

View Comments

Recipe Reviews & Comments

  1. TKWAdmin says

    December 18, 2011 at 6:25 pm

    Hi Michele! *giggle* Thank you so much! One thing I can say about my life is that there is never a dull moment! Merry Christmas to you and your family!

    Reply
  2. Michele says

    December 18, 2011 at 5:53 pm

    you are absolutely the bestest…. and I love, love, love reading your stories.

    Reply

Leave a Comment & Review Cancel reply

Primary Sidebar

let’s be friends

Subscribe for delicious new recipes, kitchen tips & weekly menus

Yeah!!! I'm so happy you are joining the TKW Family! You will get an immediate email asking you to confirm your subscription. If it's not in your inbox check your SPAM or JUNK folders. If you do not confirm it, you won't receive my newsletters.

What's Trending on TKW

Vanilla Lovers Berry Cookie Tart Bars
Southwestern Mexican Chicken Pizza
Triple Pepper Roasted Salsa
The Best Blueberry Muffin Bread with a Sugar Crumb
Cheesy Garlic Bread Spaghetti Bread Boats
Elote – Mexican Street Corn Dip
Chunky Portabella Mushroom Veggie Burgers
Simple Pizza Dough Recipe
The Best Super Soft and Chewy Hoagie Bread Rolls
Back to Top
  • Recipe Index
  • instagram
  • Contact
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Site CreditsDesigned by Melissa Rose Design.Developed by Once Coupled.
0 shares