PIGNOLATA

Pignolata

10 minPrep Time

10 minCook Time

1 hrTotal Time

Ingredients

• Dough

• 4 eggs

• 1 tablespoon sugar

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

• 2 ¼ cup unbleached all-purpose flour (extra may be needed)

• Syrup

• ¼ cup sugar

• ¼ cup water

• zest of one large orange

• 1 cup orange blossom honey

• Vegetable oil to fry

• Sprinkles

Instructions

1 To make the dough

2 In the bowl of a large mixer, beat eggs sugar, salt and oil.

3 Sift the flour into the mix and beat on medium speed with a dough hook until you obtain a soft dough. Add more flour as needed a little at a time if the dough is too sticky.

4 Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead it until it is smooth.

5 Cover the dough and let it rest for 30 minutes.

6 Divide the dough into 8 pieces and roll into ropes (about ½ inch thick). Cut each rope into ½ inch pieces and roll the pieces in your hands (like you’re making meatballs) into little balls.

7 Toss a little bit of flour on the dough balls so they don’t stick while you roll the other pieces.

8 Heat oil in a large heavy saucepan to 350 degrees F.

9 Carefully add about 6 pieces of dough at a time and fry until they are evenly browned (about 3 minutes).

10 Remove the dough pieces with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel lined plate. Repeat process until you fry all the pieces of dough.

11 To make the syrup

12 In a large skillet, bring the sugar, water and orange zest to a boil. Stir constantly until the sugar dissolves.

13 Whisk in the honey; reduce the heat to medium-high.

14 Add the balls and stir to coat them evenly with the honey syrup. Cook for about 5 minutes until they obtain a nice glaze.

15 Immediately place them on serving plate stacking them like a pinecone. Use caution as they are very hot.

16 Toss on the sprinkles.