Honey Ball

Photo: flickr user Eneas

Ingredients

(Pignolata)

Yield: One or more cones

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

4 eggs plus 1 egg yolk

1/4 cup vegetable shortening

1/2 tablespoon sugar

Dash salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly grated lemon rind

2 cups peanut oil, for frying

1 1/2 cups honey, preferably orange blossom 1 teaspoon freshly grated orange rind

1 1/2 tablespoons colored sprinkles

Preparation

1. Place the flour on a flat surface or in a large bowl. Make a well in the center.

2. Put the eggs, shortening, sugar, salt, and lemon rind into the well. Mix well to make a dough. Knead the dough with the heel of your hand until smooth.

3. Shape the dough into marble-size balls.

4. Heat the oil in a deep skillet until very hot. Fry the balls, a few at a time, until they are golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon, and drain on paper towels.

5. Heat the honey in a wide saucepan. Remove from the heat, and stir in orange rind.

6. Stir the fried balls in the honey mixture until they are well coated.

Remove them with a slotted spoon to a platter.

7. Chill at least 2 hours.

8. On a large serving platter, arrange the balls in a cone shape to resemble a Christmas tree.

9. Shake the sprinkles over the cone.