ITALIAN HOLIDAY COOKIES

Italian Holiday Cookies image

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. -Sue Seymour, Valatie, New York

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 35m

Yield about 15 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 9

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

Steps:

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 : Calories 18 calories, Fat 1g fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 4mg cholesterol, Sodium 8mg sodium, Carbohydrate 3g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 0 protein.