Strufoli

This is a tower of honey covered balls. To eat, break off cookies with your hands. Also referred to as strufalli, scalilli and spalini.

makes 1 pyramid

4 eggs
1 teaspoon baking powder
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
16 ounces honey
1 tablespoon vanilla
4 tablespoons bittersweet chocolate, chopped
½ cup slivered almonds or pine nuts
colored sprinkles
vegetable oil for deep frying
powdered sugar

Beat eggs until they have tripled in volume. Add baking powder. Gradually add flour, use only enough flour to create a dough that is slightly sticky. Divide dough into 4 sections. On a floured surface, roll each section into a rope about the width of your index finger and 12" long. Cut the ropes into 1" pieces. Toss the pieces with enough flour to dust them lightly and shake off excess flour. Heat oil to 375F for deep frying. Fry cookies, a few handfuls at a time, until they puff up and are golden brown. Drain on paper towels. In large pan, warm honey with vanilla. Dip deep-fried cookies into hot honey; stir to coat all over. Cool slightly then stir in chocolate, nuts, and multi-colored jimmies. Place on plate and shape into pyramid, (shape with wet hands). Sprinkle with powdered sugar.