Krusczyki Recipes

CHRUSCIKI WITH MRS. KOSTYRA

Steps:

• Put melted butter, eggs, egg yolks, granulated sugar, sour cream, salt, extracts, vinegar, and rum in the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on medium-high speed until mixture is pale, about 3 minutes. With mixer running, add zests. Reduce speed to low, and gradually add up to 3 cups flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until a fairly stiff dough forms.
• Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface, and knead, dusting with flour if it seems sticky, until dough becomes smooth, soft, and elastic, about 10 minutes. Halve dough, and wrap each piece in plastic wrap. Let dough rest at room temperature, 30 minutes.
• Working with 1 piece at a time, roll out dough on a lightly floured surface until very thin (about 1/16 inch thick). Using a straightedge as a guide, cut the dough into 5-by-1 1/4-inch strips. Trim ends on the diagonal.
• Lay dough strips vertically in front of you, and cut a 1 1/4-inch-long opening through the middle of each strip. Working with one strip at a time, push one end through the cut, then pull through to make a bow-tie shape. Transfer formed chrusciki to a large parchment-lined baking sheet, and cover with a clean, slightly damp kitchen towel. Repeat process with remaining dough.
• Heat shortening in a large (6-quart) pot over medium-high heat until it registers 375 degrees on a deep-fry thermometer.
• Working in small batches of about 7, fry chrusciki, turning once with a slotted spoon, until lightly browned, about 1 minute. Transfer fried chrusciki with slotted spoon to two paper-towel-lined baking sheets to drain. (Adjust heat between batches as necessary to keep oil at a steady temperature.)
• Just before serving, dust chrusciki with confectioners' sugar.

KRUSCHICKI

Steps:

• Heat oil in deep-fryer to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• In a large bowl, beat together the egg yolks, sour cream, white sugar, vanilla and whiskey until smooth. Stir in flour until dough is stiff enough to knead. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead until smooth. Knead in additional flour if necessary. Divide dough into 3 or 4 pieces and roll each ball on floured surface. Cut into strips about 3 inches long then make a slit long ways down the middle. Pull one of the ends through like a bow.
• Place into hot oil and deep fry until golden brown. Let drain on paper towels and sprinkle with confectioners' sugar.

POLISH CHRUśCIKI (ANGEL WINGS)

Steps:

• Combine the egg yolks, whole egg, and salt in the bowl of a mixer. Beat at high speed until thick and lemon-colored, about 5 minutes.
• Beat in the confectioners' sugar, cream , vanilla, and rum. Add the flour and beat until the dough comes together, about 5 minutes.
• Turn the dough out onto a floured board, divide it in half, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rest for at least 20 minutes.
• Working with half of the dough at a time, roll it out to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut it into 2-inch-wide strips. Cut these strips on the diagonal at 4-inch intervals.
• Heat 2 inches of oil to 350 F in a large, deep skillet.
• Make a slit in the center of each strip of dough. Then pull one end through the slit to form a bow.
• Fry six chruściki at a time for 1 minute or less per side or until golden. They will fry quickly, so watch them closely. Place on paper towels to drain.
• Dust with the confectioners' sugar and drizzle the chruściki with honey, if desired.
• Serve and enjoy.

POLISH ANGEL WINGS-CHRUSCIKI

Steps:

• Beat eggs until thick.
• Add salt slowly while stirring.
• Add sugar and vanilla, beat well.
• Add cream and flour, alternating until blended. You may need more than the flour listed above depending on how humid it is that day.
• Turn onto a floured board.
• Cover with a cloth for 10 minutes.
• Knead until dough blisters.
• Roll very thin.
• Cut into 1 inch by 4 inch rectangles.
• Cut a gash in the middle of the rectangle and pull one end through so it looks like a twist.
• Fry in 375 degree oil until golden brown.
• Drain on a rack for 3 minutes then roll into powdered sugar.

KRUSCZYKI

Steps:

• In a large bowl mix together all ingredients. Stir into a ball, then turn dough out onto a floured surface . Knead dough for 1/2 hour. If you have a mixer with a dough hook attachment, mix for about 15 minutes.
• Let dough rest for 10 minutes.
• On a floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4 to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut into strips that are 3 inches long and 1 inch wide. In the center of each strip, cut a 1 inch slit, lengthwise. Pull one end of the strip through the slit to form a bow.
• In a frying pan or an electric skillet, melt shortening and heat to about 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). in a frying pan this would be on medium high heat.
• Place cookies in hot oil. Cook on both sides until lightly browned then remove to a paper towel.
• Dust finished cookies with confectioners sugar.

KRUSCHIKI (CHRUSCHIKI) POLISH BOW TIES

Steps:

• Beat eggs, egg yolks, salt and butter until thick and lemon colored.
• Slowly beat in the powdered sugar and brandy.
• Slowly mix in flour.
• Knead the dough for 3-5 minutes. The dough should be thick and will be a bit sticky.
• To roll, you will be working with small balls of dough. Keep the rest of the dough in the bowl, covered with a clean, damp dish towel.
• On a floured surface, use a rolling pin to roll the dough out very thin - 1/8th of an inch.
• Take a sharp knife and cut the dough into strips about 2" wide. Then cut the other way on a diagonal to make pieces of dough that are about 2" x 4".
• Cut a small slit (1" or less) in the center of each piece. To form the cookie, take one end and place it through the slit. Very gently pull the end of the dough through the slit to form a bow shaped cookie.
• In a large pot or deep skillet heat about 3-4 inches of lard or oil until very hot.
• Test the oil by putting in a small scrap of dough; it should sink to the bottom and then immediately float to the top. When this happens your oil is ready.
• Fry the cookies in small batches. Fry for about 30 seconds and then use tongs to gently turn the cookies over. The cookies should be barely golden brown.
• Drain on paper towels. Cool.
• Dust liberally with powdered sugar.
• Makes about 6 dozen cookies.