To get started with your pignolata, you’ll need the following ingredients:
– 4 cups of all-purpose flour
– 1/2 cup of granulated sugar
– 1/2 cup of unsalted butter, melted
– 4 large eggs
– 1/4 cup of milk
– 1 teaspoon of baking powder
– 1/4 teaspoon of salt
– Vegetable oil, for frying
For the honey syrup:
– 1 cup of honey
– Zest of 1 lemon
– 1 tablespoon of orange blossom water (optional)
– Colorful sprinkles or slivered almonds, for decoration
Now that you have all your ingredients ready, let’s move on to the preparation:
1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Make a well in the center and add the melted butter, eggs, and milk. Mix everything together until you obtain a smooth dough. You can use your hands or a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment for this step.
2. Once the dough comes together, knead it on a lightly floured surface for a few minutes until it becomes elastic and easy to handle. Shape the dough into a ball and let it rest in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
3. After the dough has chilled, take it out of the fridge and pinch off small pieces to shape into tiny balls, about the size of marbles. You can use your hands or a rolling pin to achieve the desired shape. Place the formed dough balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, making sure to leave a bit of space between each one.
4. In a deep fryer or large skillet, heat vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C). Carefully drop a few dough balls into the hot oil and fry them until golden brown. Use a slotted spoon or tongs to transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate, allowing any excess oil to drain off. Repeat this process until all the dough balls are fried.
5. While the fried dough balls are cooling, prepare the honey syrup. In a small saucepan, warm the honey, lemon zest, and orange blossom water (if using) over low heat. Stir gently until the mixture is well combined and heated through. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
6. Once the fried dough balls have cooled down, transfer them to a large bowl and pour the warm honey syrup over them. Toss the balls gently to ensure they are evenly coated in the syrup. You can decorate your pignolata with colorful sprinkles or slivered almonds at this stage.
7. Allow the pignolata to sit for at least 30 minutes to let the honey syrup soak into the balls. This will enhance the flavors and create a deliciously sticky texture.
Your homemade pignolata is now ready to be enjoyed! Serve it as a delightful treat during festive gatherings or simply indulge in it as a sweet snack. Each bite will take you on a journey to the sunny streets of Southern Italy, where this beloved culinary treasure originates from. Enjoy!