Precipizi (Fried Honey Balls)

Fried honey balls, or precipizi, are a classic Italian Chanukah dish. This dessert is made of a dough that consists of egg, sugar, flour and rum or rum extract (or apple juice). The dough is rolled into a rope, cut into small pieces, fried, and then dipped in honey. The final products are dusted with confectioners’ sugar. Makes approximately 6 dozen

Directions

Prepare the Precipizi

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine dry ingredients. Add wet ingredients and lemon zest. Mix until well-combined.

2. Divide dough in four parts. Roll out one part of dough to form a rope. Break off hazelnut-sized pieces and roll into tiny balls.

3. Heat oil in a pan on medium-high. Drop balls in hot oil and cook around 20 to 30 seconds until light golden brown. Flip over and cook the other side, around 15 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a paper-towel-lined dish to absorb extra oil.

4. Repeat with the remaining dough.

For Coating

1. Heat honey in a pan on the lowest flame. Add all the cooked balls of dough. Toss in pan to coat completely with the honey.

2. Pour into a serving dish and sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar.

Credits

Recipe by Rebbetzin Shachar Banin

Photography by Sina Mizrahi

Recipe tags

Channuka Channukah Chanuka Chanukah Classic Jewish foods Donuts Doughnuts Fried Hannuka Hannukah Hanuka Hanukah Hanukkah Honey balls Italian Pastries Pastry Precipizi Rebbetzin Shachar Banin Rebbetzinunplugged Sufganiya Sufganiyot Traditional