Grandma’s Fried Dough Pastries
Growing up, our family had the same routine every year on Good Friday – we would go to church in the afternoon, go home and relax, then head over to my grandma’s around dinnertime. Her kitchen would be overflowing with her usual Easter fare – pigu, bacon and cheese bread, and this fried dough. The bacon and cheese bread was off-limits until the following day since it had meat, but everything else was fair game. We’d usually order a cheese pizza and then hunker down to watch a movie. Sometimes it was Easter-related, but I distinctly remember one year watching Stephen King’s The Stand. That turned into an entire weekend event and some crazy dreams!
I can remember a huge tray piled high with this fried dough sitting out in her kitchen, and then again at my mom’s on Easter Day. My grandma only ever made it for Easter, and I would waste no time devouring this once-a-year treat.
I don’t remember my grandma making these very often since I was in high school, which may have had to do with her hands becoming weaker. The dough is kneaded and rolled out by hand, and it’s a very stiff dough, which means that it takes some elbow grease! I’m sure you could use a stand mixer to knead it and even a pasta roller to roll it out if you’d like, but I went the traditional method and did everything by hand.
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I recall my grandma’s pastries being twisted into little bow-tie shapes. I tried to do it, but they came unraveled while frying and just ended up a little twisted. I wish I could ask her how she did it! We always referred to these as “fried bow ties”.
My grandma served these sprinkled with powdered sugar, which was just the perfect amount of sweetness to balance out the flavors of the fried dough. My husband’s family makes a very similar recipe, only instead of Easter they serve it on New Year’s Day, and in addition to sprinkling it with powdered sugar, they also dip the fried dough in honey.
You know that old family recipes are my favorites, so I was thrilled to finally make my grandma’s fried pastries. An Easter tradition revived!
Grandma's Fried Dough Pastries
Ingredients
- 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) baking powder
- ½ teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) salt
- 4 eggs
- 1 tablespoon vegetable or olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon (0.25 teaspoon) anise oil
- Peanut or vegetable oil, for frying
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder and salt; set aside.
- In a large bowl, lightly beat the eggs. Stir in the oil and anise flavoring and beat or whisk to combine.3. Gradually add the flour, mixing until the dough is stiff enough to be turned out of the bowl.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until the dough is smooth and pliable, kneading in any remaining flour mixture. Shape into a ball and divide into quarters. Wrap each tightly in plastic wrap and let rest for 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, fill a wide pan (I used a cast iron skillet - you could also use a Dutch oven) with at least one inch of oil and place over medium-high heat. The oil is hot enough when a little piece of dough dropped into the oil sizzles immediately.
- Working with one portion of dough at a time and keeping the remainders covered, roll it out as thinly as possible and cut into 1½ to 2-inch wide strips. You can twist the dough, if you'd like. Drop the pieces of dough into the oil, being sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry until light brown on the bottom side (1 to 2 minutes), then turn over and fry until the other side is also light golden brown. Remove to a wire rack placed over a double layer of paper towels and allow to drain. Repeat with the remaining dough. Dust with powdered sugar and serve. These can be made up to a week in advance and stored at room temperature in a tin or airtight container.
Notes
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My Nornie and Mom used to make these. Nornie was from Milan and made them without a written recipe. I haven’t had them in a LONG time. I’m so happy to see this recipe. I can’t wait to try it out.
Whenever I find them in the grocery store I purchase them (or think about it). Sadly, they always taste/smell like the plastic packaging they come in. So sad.
Josie Guild again – forgot to mention … my family called this Lattuga or sometimes lettuce leaves.
We are Polish and call them kluschicki and is a Christmas tradition.
Appreciate the nutritional info bu what is “one serving”? Can you be more specific? Grams? Ounces? I am baking for elderly friends so fat and carbs are important to them.
Thank you.
My mom was full blood Norwegian. They all made treats like these, usually at Christmas, called Fattigmans Bakels. Fried dough, with a slit in the middle, and dusted with powdered sugar. Always looked forward to them.
I make these every year but our tradition is for Christmas ! I make some that are bow ties with powdered sugar and a different shape for honey and walnuts on top. Everyone loves these! They are worth the work! Our family calls them cruspellI. However, We do not add the anise oil. Maybe I’ll start a new tradition and start making them for Easter as well as once a year is not enough!
Was happy to find your recipe. Our family called them “Keglies”. The recipe was about 50 years old and had many revisions. Your recipe is great. I dip in granulated sugar and love them for snacks. Thanks again.