Hanukkah Raw Honey Balls

Now that Thanksgiving is in the rearview mirror, it is time to start looking forward to the next set of holidays, which will be Christmas and Hanukkah. Rather than drudge through some of the same old recipes for Hanukkah, we found an absolutely delicious recipe for honey balls where we can incorporate our raw honey to give it a richer, better flavor that will make it stand out from the usual holiday fare.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoons sugar
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 large eggs
• ½ cup Manuka honey
• 1 teaspoon orange blossom water
• ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
• 3 quarts frying oil

Directions:

1. In medium saucepan, combine water, sugar, salt, and butter.
2. Over high heat, bring mixture to boil (stir occasionally).
3. Once butter has melted and mixture has come to a boil, remove from heat and add in flour.
4. Return to medium heat and continue to stir regularly until the mixture forms a dough-like mixture (this should only take a couple of minutes).
5. Remove mixture from pan and transfer to mixing bowl.
6. Using an electric mixer with paddle attachment, set mixer to low speed and beat mixture for one minute.
7. Continue beating while adding in eggs (add them one at a time until combined).
8. Once eggs have been added, remove from mixer and transfer the mixture to a large pastry bag (use a large start tip to dispense).
9. Add two inches of frying oil to large pan and bring up to 350-degrees Fahrenheit.
10. While oil is heating, set up wire cooling rack with newspaper or paper towels to absorb oil beneath.
11. Once oil is brought up to heat, squeeze out dough into oil in 1-inch pieces (you will need to divide the dough into five batches, so keep this in mind so you don’t squeeze out too much).
12. When the balls are golden brown and puffed (this will take about four or five minutes), remove from oil and place on cooling rack.
13. Repeat this process until entire batch has been cooked.
14. While the balls are cooling, combine honey, orange blossom, and cardamom.
15. Heat the mixture in microwave for 30 seconds.
16. When balls have fully cooled, dip into honey mixture until fully coated, then place on serving dish.

If you need to order Manuka honey to make this recipe, click here. Remember, we offer FREE shipping on all orders of $150 or more, so stock up for the holidays!

Photo via Laura in the Kitchen YouTube Video Screenshot