[homemade] Greek Honey Balls (Loukoumades)

So I tried making loukoumades for the first time yesterday, and my whole kitchen smelled like a Greek festival.

What I’d do differently next time:

• I’d make slightly smaller balls so they cook more evenly without risk of a raw center.
• I’d keep the oil temp on the lower end (around 350°F) for a more even golden color.
• Probably double the syrup recipe because it’s addictive and disappears fast.

Recipe

1. Syrup – Simmer ½ cup honey, ¼ cup water, 1 cinnamon stick, and 1 strip lemon peel for 5 min. Cool completely.
2. Dough – Mix 1 cup flour, 1 tsp yeast, ½ tsp sugar, ¼ tsp salt. Add ½ cup warm water + 1 tsp olive oil. Stir to a sticky batter. Cover, rise 1 hr until doubled.
3. Fry – Heat 3–4 cups oil to 350–360°F. Wet spoon, drop 1 tsp batter into oil. Fry 2–4 min until golden; drain on rack.
4. Serve – Drizzle with cooled syrup, sprinkle ¼ tsp cinnamon + 2 tbsp chopped walnuts. Serve warm, immediately.