Struffoli

These crisp, fried pastry puffs are an essential ending to the traditional Italian Christmas Day dinner.

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
Vegetable oil for frying
1 cup honey
Multicolored candy sprinkles


In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt.
Add the eggs and zest. Stir until well blended.
Transfer to a lightly floured surface and knead for 1-2 minutes.
Add a little more flour if dough seems sticky.
Shape the dough into a ball, cover with an overturned bowl. Let rest for 30 minutes.
Roll the dough into 1/2-inch thick ropes then cut into 1/2-inch nuggets.
Heat about 2 inches of oil to 370 degrees F. in a wide saucepan or deep fryer.
Begin adding struffoli in batches into the oil to fit without crowding.
Cook, stirring occasionally with a slotted spoon, until crisp and brown, about 1 minute.
Remove the struffoli with the slotted spoon and transfer to paper towels to drain.
When all the struffoli are fried, gently heat the honey just to a simmer in a wide saucepan.
Remove the honey from the heat, add the struffoli and coat well.
Pile the struffoli into a mound on a large platter. Dust with the multicolored sprinkles.
Best served the day they are made.

Italian Cheese Bars

It's the holiday season, and business is booming, as evidenced by my lack of recent blog posts. My apologies to my readers...

Here's a wonderful dessert recipe for the holidays - perfect for a holiday gift, or as party food!

Italian Cheese Bars



* * 1/2 cup butter or margarine
* * 1-1/4 cups finely crushed graham crackers (about 18)
* * 1 15-ounce container fat-free ricotta cheese
* * 1 egg
* * 1/4 cup sugar
* * 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
* * 2 teaspoons finely shredded orange peel
* * 1 teaspoon almond extract
* * 1/2 cup sliced almonds or chopped hazelnuts
* * 1/3 cup chopped candied cherries
* * 1/3 cup golden raisins




1. Heat oven to 350 degree F. Melt butter or margarine in a 9x9x2-inch baking pan in the oven (about 6 minutes). Remove from oven. Stir crushed crackers into melted butter or margarine; press mixture firmly and evenly onto bottom of pan using a wooden spoon. Set aside.
2. Combine the ricotta cheese, egg, sugar, flour, orange peel, and almond extract in a blender container or food processor bowl; blend or process until smooth. Carefully spread cheese mixture over crumb mixture. Combine the almonds or hazelnuts, cherries, and raisins; sprinkle over cheese layer. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until edges are puffed and golden. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 1 hour; cover and chill for 2 hours. Cut into bars. Makes 20.