Combine sugar, eggs, vanilla, butter, and baking powder. Add flour gradually, creating a dough. Wrap in wax paper and refrigerate for an hour.

Cut dough into about 20 pieces. With your hands, roll each piece into a rope about 1” thick. Cut it into about 1” pieces. Repeat with all the dough.

In a sauce pot, heat oil to about 360°. Add struffoli a little at a time and fry until golden brown. Remove to paper towel-lined plate to cool.

Spoon into dish and add honey and nonpareils as you like.