Polish Horn Cookies Recipes

MOM'S NUT HORNS

Steps:

• Cut butter into flour in a bowl using 2 knives or a pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add sour cream and egg yolk; mix well. Shape the dough into a ball. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate, 8 hours to overnight.
• Combine walnuts, sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease 2 baking sheets.
• Cut dough into 4 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 1/8-inch thick circle on a lightly floured surface. Spread 1/4 of the walnut mixture on each circle; cut each circle into 12 wedge-shaped pieces with a pizza wheel.
• Shape each piece of dough into a crescent by rolling dough from the wide end of the wedge into the center. Transfer cookies carefully to the baking sheets.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Watch cookies carefully as they bake; their bottoms tend to brown faster than their tops.

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.

POLISH HORN COOKIES

Steps:

• Cream butter.
• Add cottage cheese and flour.
• Mix well and refrigerate overnight.
• Roll out thin and cut into 3 inch squares.
• Spread filling in center of square.
• Roll into cornucopia shape.
• Brush with egg white or milk.
• Bake at 350 degrees.

GRANDMA'S POLISH COOKIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In another bowl, beat egg yolks until foamy; add milk and vanilla. Stir into crumb mixture until dough is stiff enough to knead. , Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead 8-10 times. Divide dough into 4 pieces. Roll each portion into a 1/4-in.-thick rectangle; cut into 4x1-1/2-in. strips. Cut a 2-in. lengthwise slit down the middle of each strip; pull one of the ends through the slit like a bow., In an electric skillet or deep-fat fryer, heat oil to 375°. Fry dough strips, a few at a time, until golden brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels. Dust with confectioners' sugar.

POLISH KOłACZKI

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with butter until light and fluffy.
• Add the flour, 1 cup at a time, and mix well.
• Wrap dough in plastic and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
• Heat oven to 350 F. Roll out dough to a 12 x 18-inch rectangle-1/4-inch thick-on a silicone mat or a surface that has been dusted with equal parts confectioners' and granulated sugars (not flour), because the granulated sugar will act as ball bearings and help keep the dough from sticking.
• Cut into 2-inch squares. Place 1/2 to 1 teaspoon filling on center of each square. Brush a tiny bit of beaten egg white on one corner and press the opposite corner on it, pressing the dough together lightly to seal.
• Using a spatula, transfer the filled cookies to a parchment-lined sheet pan and bake for 15 minutes (longer if baking from frozen) or until corners start to brown.
• Using a spatula, remove cookies from the baking sheet and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before dusting with confectioners' sugar. Serve and enjoy!

HORN WALNUT COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°. In a large bowl, beat 1 cup butter and the cream cheese until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Gradually add flour, beating until mixture forms a ball. Divide dough into four portions. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion into a 12-in. circle. , Melt the remaining 1 teaspoon butter. In a large bowl, combine walnuts, 3/4 cup sugar, milk, vanilla, salt and melted butter. Spread over circles. Cut each into 12 wedges. Roll up wedges, starting from the wide ends., Place point side down on greased baking sheets. Curve ends to form crescents. Bake until lightly browned, 35-40 minutes. Remove to wire racks., Place remaining sugar in a small shallow bowl. Roll warm cookies in sugar.

HUNGARIAN NUT HORNS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in water; set aside. In a large bowl, combine flour and salt; cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the egg yolks, sour cream, vanilla and yeast mixture. Mix well with hands (dough will not be sticky). , For filling, in a small bowl, beat egg whites on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, on high until stiff peaks form. Beat in vanilla. Fold in walnuts. , Divide dough into eight portions. On a work surface heavily coated with confectioners' sugar, roll one portion into a 12-in. circle. Cut into 12 wedges. Spread 1 teaspoon filling over each wedge; tuck in edges of wide end and roll up toward narrow point. Repeat with remaining dough and filling, adding confectioners' sugar to work surface as needed. , Place on parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake at 375° for 12-14 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks.