Chrusciki Polish Crescent Cookies Mark Recipes

CHRUSCIKI I

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, whisk egg yolks, egg, sugar, salt, vanilla, and whiskey. Stir in 2 cups of the flour. If dough is sticky, add the rest of the flour. Knead dough for 5 minutes; divide into three parts. Keep dough pieces covered with plastic wrap until ready to use.
• Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Or, alternately, melt 2 pounds lard(see Editor's Note). Oil should be about 1 inch deep.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll out one piece of the dough until it's paper-thin. Cut into parallelogram (long diamond) shapes, and use a sharp paring knife to cut a slot in the centers. Pull one point of the diamond through the slot; set aside and repeat with remaining pieces.
• Fry 2 to 4 pieces at a time, depending on the size of your pan, about 5 to 10 seconds on each side. The cookies should not be browned. Remove from oil and drain on paper towels; dust with confectioners' sugar when cool. Store any remaining cookies in an airtight container.

FAWORKI (POLISH CHRUSCIKI)

Steps:

• Combine flour, egg yolks, sour cream, sugar, butter, rum, and salt in a large bowl; mix to form a dough.
• Knead dough lightly and roll out on a floured surface. Cut into strips 4 inches long and 3/4 inches wide. Cut a slit in the middle of each strip. Twist and pull one end through the slit.
• Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan. Test the temperature by dropping in a pastry twist; the oil is ready when it browns and float to the surface.
• Fry pastry twists in batches until golden brown, about 1 minute per side. Drain on a plate lined with paper towels. Dust with confectioners' sugar.

POLISH CHRUSCIKI OR KRULLERS

Steps:

• 1. Beat egg yolks and salt until thick & lemon colored. Add sugar and beat well. Add sour cream, and flour.
• 2. Turn out the dough in a well floured pastry cloth or counter and knead until dough is satiny and doesn't stick to your hands. Divide into 3 sections. Roll each section about 1/8th in. Thick. Then cut into strips 2" wide. Cut a vertical slit in center, about 2" wide, of each piece and pull one end through the slit to form a bow tie shape.
• 3. Heat Crisco oil in deep fryer or fry pan to medium heat about 375 degrees. Fry a few at a time and when lightly browned remove to brown paper bags or paper towels to drain any oil on them.
• 4. Sprinkle with powder sugar when cooled. Enjoy.