ITALIAN HONEY CLUSTERS

Italian Honey Clusters image

My mother made these treats flavored with cinnamon and anise for neighbors, teachers and anyone who stopped by. Make sure the honey doesn't boil longer than a minute or it could burn.-Sarah Knoblock, Hyde Park, Indiana

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 50m

Yield about 2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon aniseed, crushed
1/8 teaspoon salt
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/3 cup 2% milk
Oil for deep-fat frying
1 cup honey
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted
Nonpareils, optional

Steps:

Line 24 muffin cups with paper or foil liners. In a large bowl, whisk flour, cinnamon, aniseseed and salt. Stir in eggs and milk. Turn dough onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Shape into a disk; wrap and let stand 1 hour., Divide dough into 6 portions. Roll each portion into 1/2-in.-thick ropes; cut crosswise 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 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Place dough pieces in a large heatproof bowl and keep warm in a 200° oven., In a large heavy saucepan, combine honey and sugar. Bring to a boil over medium heat; boil 1 minute. Immediately remove from heat and drizzle over dough pieces. Stir to coat. Immediately spoon into prepared cups. Sprinkle with pine nuts and, if desired, nonpareils.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 161 calories, Fat 5g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 31mg cholesterol, Sodium 27mg sodium, Carbohydrate 26g carbohydrate (14g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 3g protein.