Polish Crusciki (Angel Wings)

I made crusciki ( hroos-shee-kee) for the kids yesterday and they loved them.  When I was a little girl, I also loved these cookies.  Most often I would get them when my dad went to a Polish wedding.  He would bring some home wrapped up in a paper napkin for me and they were such a treat.
 I made two recipes which made about 150 cookies.

 The recipe:

  • 5 large egg yolks, at room temperature
  • 1 large whole egg, at room temperature
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 4 tablespoons of sugar
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1 Tbsp. rum
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • Canola or vegetable oil
  • Confectioners' sugar for dusting 
Preparation:

Combine egg yolks, whole egg and salt in bowl of mixer.  Beat at high speed until thick and lemon colored, about 5 minutes.  Beat in sugar, sour cream, vanilla and rum.  Add flour gradually to form a cohesive dough.  This dough is very soft.  Add just enough flour so the dough is no longer sticky.

Turn dough out onto a floured board, divide in half, cover with plastic wrap and let rest for at least 20 minutes.

Working with half of the dough at a time, roll out to 1/8-inch thickness.  These are best when the dough is paper thin.  Cut into 1 x 3 inch wide strips.

Heat 2 inches of oil in a large, deep skillet to 350 degrees.  Make a slit in the center of each strip of dough, then pull one end through the slit to form a bow.


 Fry about 6 at a time.  Do not crowd them.

 Flip over half way through cooking.

Drain on paper towels and then cool them on a rack.  Sprinkle them with confectioners sugar on both sides.
These are wonderful when freshly made but they are still very good when kept in a covered container.

Comments

Gatekeeper said…
There goes my diet now I am hungry.
Anonymous said…
these are such a good cookie, my best friend in high school was always bringing these,, her Mum made them for weddings and sold them,, sooooo good! Yours look perfect!
Anonymous said…
My grandmother used to make these when I was little and always around christmas time. I live them :-) We call them klenäter.

Have a great day!
Christer.
Bee Haven Bev said…
That's it! I'm moving to Pittsburg....I need you as my neighbor!!!!
Guillaume said…
Gosh that looks good.

You seem to associate Poland with Easter. I associate Poland with three people: Marie Curie, Pope John Paul II and... Ersnt Stavro Blofeld.
TARYTERRE said…
You make me so hungry everyday. These look delightful.
I have never seen cookies like those. They look and sound wonderful. I probably am too insecure to try them..but it's fun to hear about them.
Anything to do with other cultures is so interesting to me! Thanks for sharing with those children! They won't forget the food they've experienced! Ever.
brokenteepee said…
My grandmother's church would have parties to make literally thousands of these to sell as a fundraiser. I loved them. Haven't had them in years.