Chrusciki Bow Tie Cookies 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.

BOWTIE COOKIES (CHRUSCIKI OR KRUSCHIKI)

Steps:

• 1. Combine the egg yolks, whole egg and salt in a bowl of mixer. Beat at high speed about 5 minutes , until thick and lemon colored. Beat in sugar, cream, vanilla and rum. Add flour and cornstarch and beat until blisters form, about 5 minutes.
• 2. Turn dough out onto a floured board, divide in half, cover with plastic wrap and let rest for about 20 minutes. Working with 1/2 the dough at a time, roll out to about 1/16 thickness,(kinda like rolling out homemade noodles). Cut 2-inch wide strips. Cut the strips on the diagonal at 4-inch intervals.(2x4-inch pieces)
• 3. Heat about 3-inches of oil in a large, deep skillet to 350°. Make a slit in the center of each strip of the cut dough. Then pull one end through the slit to form a bow( sometimes called bow-tie cookies).
• 4. Fry about 6 at a time for 1 minute or less per side or until golden. These fry quickly, so watch closely. Drain on paper towels. Dust with powdered sugar or cinnamon/sugar mixture or a combination of all, or you may like to drizzle with a little honey.

POLISH CHRUSCIKI (BOW TIES)

Steps:

• 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 or 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 chrusciki at a time for 1 minutes or less per side or until golden. These fry quickly, so watch closely. Drain on paper towels. Dust generously with confectioner's sugar.