Bánh Krostule Croatia: Những dải bánh ngọt giòn tan đặc trưng của lễ hội Carnival vùng duyên hải.

Croatian Krostule (Crispy Carnival Pastry Strips)

Krostule belong to the family of European “angel wings” pastries: thin strips of rich dough, twisted, fried, and buried under a soft layer of powdered sugar. In Croatia, they carry a distinct coastal character and are closely linked with Istria and Dalmatia, where the smell of hot oil and lemon-scented dough drifts out of kitchens during carnival season, Christmas, and family gatherings.

In these regions, krostule appear under slightly different names and shapes—ribbons, twists, loose knots—but the idea stays the same: a light, shattering bite that pairs with coffee, sweet wine, or a late-morning brandy when guests gather. Many sources trace the pastry to coastal influence and the broader Mediterranean habit of frying enriched dough, with local cooks adapting it over generations. Recipes vary in small details: some lean on softened butter, others on neutral oil or even lard; some use milk, others a splash of white wine or juice, nearly all include citrus zest and a hint of local spirit, often rakija.

The version here follows a coastal approach that balances crisp texture with gentle richness. The dough uses a mix of whole eggs and extra yolks for color and tenderness, an approach that lines up with many traditional formulas for krostule and other angel wing–style pastries. Melted butter gives a light dairy flavor without heaviness. A small measure of milk softens the dough, while a blend of rakija and lemon zest gives unmistakable Adriatic character; the alcohol helps keep the strips crisp and encourages little bubbles along the surface during frying, which adds to the fragile texture. Spirits such as rakija, Maraschino, or rum appear regularly in Croatian and regional recipes for fritters and similar pastries.

Krostule sit in a particular moment of the year as well. Around fašnik—the carnival period before Lent—coastal towns fill with parades, masks, and a long tradition of fried sweets, from krostule to fritule and doughnuts. Families often keep their preferred recipe handwritten, with slight changes in liquid, fat, or shape. Some cooks roll the dough quite thick, for a slightly chewier center; others, including this version, favor a very thin sheet for maximum crispness and a texture closer to the Polish or Italian angel wings that share the same basic idea.

This particular method aims for reliability in a home kitchen. The dough comes together in one bowl, rests briefly to relax the gluten, then rolls out with ease. A small touch of baking powder keeps the crunch light and avoids any sense of hardness once the pastries cool. The strips are cut with a pastry wheel, slit in the center, and twisted into the familiar bow shape before a short bath in hot oil. Once drained and dusted with sugar, they stay crisp for several days in a covered tin, which makes them practical for holidays or gatherings when the cook wants to work ahead.

While krostule appear on festive tables across Croatia, they remain modest in spirit: simple pantry ingredients, careful rolling, and attention to frying temperature. This version respects that tradition while giving clear timings, thickness guidelines, and visual cues, so a home cook can reach the thin, glassy crunch that makes this coastal pastry so satisfying.

Công thức làm bánh Krostule Croatia (bánh ngọt giòn tan kiểu lễ hội)

Công thức của Trợ lý du lịch SKhóa học: Món tráng miệngẨm thực: Tiếng CroatiaKhó khăn: Vừa phải
Khẩu phần ăn

8

khẩu phần ăn
Thời gian chuẩn bị

35

phút
Thời gian nấu ăn

20

phút
Lượng calo

320

calo
Thời gian nghỉ ngơi

20

phút

Krostule are thin, crisp Croatian pastry strips, twisted into bows, fried, and generously dusted with powdered sugar. This version follows the coastal style found in Istria and Dalmatia, with a dough based on flour, eggs, butter, milk, and a touch of rakija for aroma and lightness. The dough rests briefly, then rolls out very thin, which creates the delicate, bubbly texture that suits this type of pastry. A small amount of baking powder keeps the crunch light rather than hard. The recipe yields a generous plate of pastries that suit carnival season, Christmas gatherings, or any occasion that calls for a simple sweet to share. Once cooled, they store well in a tin, so the cook can prepare them ahead of time.

Thành phần

  • Đối với bột
  • Bột mì đa dụng, 300 g (about 2 ⅓ cups) — gives structure; standard wheat flour works well.

  • Granulated sugar, 40 g (3 tbsp) — lightly sweetens the dough.

  • Fine salt, ¼ tsp — sharpens flavor and balances sweetness.

  • Baking powder, ½ tsp — helps the strips puff slightly and stay crisp rather than hard.

  • Whole eggs, 2 large — provide structure and richness.

  • Egg yolks, 2 large — add color and a more tender bite.

  • Bơ nhạt, 40 g, melted and cooled — brings a gentle dairy flavor and softens the crumb.

  • Sữa, 60 ml (¼ cup), at room temperature — hydrates the dough; whole milk gives the best flavor.

  • Rakija or clear fruit brandy, 30 ml (2 tbsp) — traditional aromatic spirit; helps keep the pastry light.

  • Fresh lemon zest, finely grated from 1 small lemon — gives a bright, citrus note typical for krostule.

  • Vanilla sugar or vanilla extract, 1 tsp — rounds out the aroma.

  • For frying and finishing
  • Neutral oil for deep-frying, 1–1.2 L — sunflower or canola oil, with a high smoke point.

  • Powdered (confectioners’) sugar, 60–80 g — for dusting the fried pastries.

  • Ghi chú về thay thế và dị ứng
  • For a no-alcohol version, replace rakija with the same volume of milk, orange juice, or a mix of both; flavor will change slightly but texture stays close.

  • For a dairy-free version, swap butter and milk with neutral oil and oat or soy drink; the result stays crisp, with a slightly different aroma.

  • The recipe relies on wheat flour and eggs, so it is not suitable for gluten-free or egg-free diets without more extensive reformulation. Gluten-free flour blends tend to produce more fragile, crumbly strips and would require extra testing for a reliable result.

Hướng dẫn

  • Nhào bột
  • Trộn các nguyên liệu khô. Combine flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder in a large bowl and stir until evenly blended.

  • Combine liquids and eggs. In a separate bowl, whisk whole eggs, egg yolks, melted butter, milk, rakija, lemon zest, and vanilla until smooth.

  • Tạo hình khối bột. Pour the liquid mixture into the dry ingredients and stir with a wooden spoon or spatula until a shaggy dough forms.

  • Knead until smooth. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for 5–7 minutes, until it turns smooth, elastic, and only slightly tacky.

  • Để bột nghỉ. Shape the dough into a disk, wrap in plastic or cover with a bowl, and let it rest at room temperature for 20 minutes so the gluten relaxes.

  • Roll and cut the strips
  • Chia bột thành các phần. Cut the rested dough into two or three pieces to make rolling easier.

  • Roll very thin. On a lightly floured surface, roll one piece at a time to 1–2 mm thickness; the sheet should look almost translucent when lifted.

  • Trim and square the edges. Use a sharp knife or pastry wheel to neaten the edges of the rolled sheet.

  • Cut into strips. Cut the dough into rectangles roughly 10 x 3 cm (4 x 1¼ inches); adjust size to preference.

  • Cut a slit and twist. Make a 3 cm slit lengthwise in the center of each strip, then gently pull one short end through the slit to form a loose twist or bow.

  • Arrange for frying. Lay shaped pieces on a floured tray or clean towel in a single layer, so they do not stick together.

  • Fry the krostule
  • Đun nóng dầu. Pour oil into a wide, heavy pot to a depth of at least 5 cm and heat to 170–175°C (340–350°F); check with a thermometer or a small test piece of dough.

  • Chiên từng mẻ một. Slide a few pieces into the hot oil without crowding and fry for 45–60 seconds per side, turning once, until deep golden and puffed.

  • Để ráo nước. Lift the fried krostule out with a slotted spoon, let excess oil drip back into the pot, then transfer to a tray lined with paper towels.

  • Dust with sugar. While still warm, sift powdered sugar generously over the pastries so it clings to the surface.

  • Repeat with remaining dough. Continue frying and sugaring the remaining pieces, keeping the oil at a steady temperature for even color and texture.

  • Cool before storing. Let the krostule cool completely on racks or trays in a single layer before transferring to a tin or airtight container.

Mẹo, Khắc phục sự cố & Biến thể

  • Gợi ý phục vụ & Kết hợp
    Krostule work well as a light dessert or afternoon treat with coffee, black tea, or a small glass of dessert wine. A plate of these pastries fits naturally alongside other Croatian sweets such as fritule, walnut or poppy seed rolls, or simple citrus slices. For a festive table, a large platter of krostule in the center, dusted just before serving, adds texture and a quiet link to coastal carnival and Christmas traditions.
  • Bảo quản và hâm nóng
    Once fully cooled, krostule keep for 3–4 days in an airtight tin at room temperature, away from humidity. The texture stays crisp if they are stored in a single layer or with baking paper between layers. Reheating is not strictly needed; if the room is damp and they lose some crunch, a brief refresh (3–4 minutes) in a low oven (140°C / 285°F) on a bare tray can bring back some crispness, though fresh-fried pieces always have the most delicate texture.
  • Biến thể & Thay thế
    A citrus-forward version can use orange zest and juice in place of some or all of the milk. A wine-rich variant, common in some “drunk” krostule recipes, relies on dry white wine alongside or instead of rakija. For a mild, child-friendly batch, replace the spirits entirely with milk or juice and accent the flavor with extra zest and vanilla. A more rustic, coastal style can lean on a spoonful of lard instead of part of the butter, which gives a slightly different aroma that reflects older recipes from the Adriatic coast.
  • Mẹo của đầu bếp
    Rolling the dough as thin as possible, without tearing, gives the most fragile crunch and keeps the pastries from feeling heavy. Frying at a steady medium-high temperature avoids greasy results; oil that is too cool soaks into the dough, while overly hot oil scorches the surface before the interior dries. Twisting the strips loosely, rather than pulling them tight, helps them puff a little in the center and creates small ridges that catch the sugar.
  • Thiết bị cần thiết
    1.Large mixing bowl for combining dry and wet ingredients. 2.Medium bowl or jug for whisking liquids. 3.Wooden spoon or sturdy spatula for initial mixing. 4.Kitchen scale and measuring spoons for accurate quantities. 5.Rolling pin, preferably a long, smooth one, for very thin sheets. 6.Pastry wheel or sharp knife for cutting strips and slits. 7.Clean kitchen towels or floured tray for holding shaped dough. 8.Heavy, wide pot or deep-sided pan for frying; heavy walls help keep the oil temperature steady. 9.Deep-frying thermometer for accurate control of oil temperature. 10.Slotted spoon or spider skimmer for lifting pastries from the oil. 11.Wire racks or perforated trays for cooling. 12.Fine-mesh sieve for dusting powdered sugar evenly over the krostule.

Thông tin dinh dưỡng

Approximate values for 1 of 8 servings (based on standard reference data and typical oil absorption for deep-fried pastries):

Chất dinh dưỡngSố tiền ước tính
Lượng calo~320 kcal
Carbohydrate~40 g
Chất đạm~5 g
Mập~15 g
Chất xơ~1 g
Natri~160 mg
Các chất gây dị ứng chínhGluten (wheat), eggs, dairy

These figures serve as estimates rather than precise laboratory values. For medical or highly specific dietary needs, a dedicated nutrition calculator or professional advice offers more exact guidance.