Here is a photo of struffoli that resembles the struffoli my parents made, and a recipe for struffoli that my parents used.
This is the struffoli recipe my parents used (from my father's mother who was born in Caserta, Italy, very near Naples):
- Mix 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour and 1/4 tsp salt.
- Add 4 beaten eggs, slowly, and then 1/2 tsp vanilla. Mix to make a soft dough.
- Turn dough onto a lightly-floured board. Knead, then divide dough in half. Roll each half to form 1/4-inch wide long strips.
- Cut each strip into pieces 1/4 to 1/2 inch long. Roll into small balls.
- Fill a 2-quart saucepan up to the halfway mark with peanut oil. Fry as many of the small balls as can float, over medium heat. Fry until brown.
- Drain the struffoli on absorbent paper. Let cool.
- Place the contents of a 16-ounce jar of honey in a small saucepan. Add 2 tsp sugar. Boil until clear.
- Take the cooled struffoli and dip pieces in the clear honey, arrange them on a plate, and cover with candy sprinkles.