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                                            Prep Time: 0 Minutes Cook Time: 0 Minutes  | 
                                            Ready In: 0 Minutes Servings: 8  | 
                                         
                                        
                                     
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                    Italian Honey Balls. These are the authentic ones made by my 82 year old sister from our mother's recipe. If pine nuts aren't available, use slivered almonds instead. Ingredients: 
                    
                        
                                                3 cups all-purpose flour  |  
                                                4 eggs, beaten  |  
                                                1/4 cup butter  |  
                                                1/2 cup white sugar  |  
                                                1/2 teaspoon salt  |  
                                                2 teaspoons baking powder  |  
                                                1 tablespoon lemon zest  |  
                                                1 1/2 cups honey  |  
                                                3/4 cup pine nuts  |  
                                                2 1/4 ounces colored candy sprinkles  |  
                                                
                     
                    Directions: 
                    
                        
                            
                                1. Melt the butter or margarine over low heat. Mix together in a large bowl 2-1/2 cups of the flour. Add sugar, baking powder, lemon rind and salt. Make a depression in the middle. Drop into it the eggs and the melted butter or margarine. Mix with a wooden spoon and then with the hands until dough leaves the sides of the bowl. Add remaining 1/2 cup of flour as needed. Knead dough on floured surface until it isn't sticky anymore. 2. Break off pieces of dough and roll into ropes about the size of a pencil. Cut into pieces 1/4 inch long. Roll these pieces into little balls and set aside. 3. In deep frying pan, heat oil about 2 inches deep. Fry balls until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. 4. In a large saucepan over medium heat, bring 1-1/2 cups of pure honey to a boil. Let honey boil gently for about 3 minutes before adding little dough balls, stirring gently with wooden spoon until they are well-coated. 5. Remove balls from honey with a slotted spoon and place in a deep dish or mound them on a platter. Sprinkle surface evenly with nuts and multicolored sprinkles. Cool.                              | 
                         
                         
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