Guanti (Italian) & Chruscik (Polish) – European Holiday Cookies
🕒 Prep Time: 30 minutes
🍳 Cook Time: 5 minutes
🕒 Total Time: 35 minutes
🥮 Description:
These delightful cookies, known as Guanti in Italy and Chruscik in Poland, are deeply rooted in European holiday traditions. Passed down through generations, each family has its own cherished recipe. Guanti, typically reserved for special occasions in Italian households, and Chruscik, a beloved treat in Polish culture, share similar ingredients but boast distinct flavors. Whether you’re celebrating a festive occasion or simply craving a taste of tradition, these crispy, golden delights are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.
📜 Recipe Instructions:
For Guanti (Italian version):
- In a large bowl, beat eggs until light and fluffy.
- Add sugar, milk, Crisco, salt, and vanilla to the beaten eggs, and mix until well combined.
- Gradually incorporate flour into the mixture, stirring until a smooth dough forms.
- Working with a quarter of the dough at a time, roll it out on a floured surface or pass it through a pasta machine until it reaches wafer-thinness.
- Using a dough cutting wheel or a knife, cut the dough into strips approximately 2 1/2 inches wide by 4 inches long.
- Repeat the process with the remaining dough.
- Heat oil or Crisco in a deep frying pan over medium-high heat.
- Carefully fry the dough strips in the hot oil until they turn lightly golden, which should take about 1-2 minutes per side.
- Once fried, remove the Guanti from the oil and place them on paper towels or brown paper to drain excess oil.
- Sprinkle the warm Guanti with powdered sugar or lightly coat them with a honey syrup (honey thinned with water) before serving.
For Chruscik (Polish version):
- In a mixing bowl, combine flour, salt, and baking powder, ensuring they are well mixed.
- In a separate saucepan, melt butter and cream cheese together with milk until smooth.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together sugar, eggs, vanilla, and brandy until thoroughly combined.
- Gradually add the flour mixture and the cream cheese mixture alternately to the egg mixture, stirring well after each addition.
- The resulting dough should be soft and pliable.
- On a floured pastry cloth, roll out the dough to a thickness of approximately 1/8 inch.
- Cut the dough into strips about 3 inches wide.
- Make a small slit in the center of each strip, then pull one end of the strip through the slit, creating a twisted shape in the middle.
- In a deep frying pan, heat oil until hot but not smoking.
- Fry the twisted dough strips until they turn a light golden color on each side, ensuring even cooking.
- Once cooked, remove the Chruscik from the oil and drain them on brown paper to remove excess oil.
- Sprinkle the warm Chruscik with powdered sugar for a delightful finishing touch.
🍽️ Nutritional Information (Per Serving – Guanti or Chruscik):
- Calories: 171.2
- Total Fat: 4.5g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Cholesterol: 58.6mg
- Sodium: 114.1mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 27.6g
- Dietary Fiber: 0.7g
- Sugars: 7.5g
- Protein: 4.6g
👨👩👦👦 Servings: 24-48 Guanti or Chruscik, depending on size
These cherished European holiday cookies, whether made in the Italian style as Guanti or the Polish style as Chruscik, are a testament to the rich culinary heritage of both nations. Enjoyed by families for generations, these crispy treats are perfect for festive gatherings or as a special indulgence any time of year. Try both versions and savor the unique flavors of each cultural tradition!
