Papanași: Romanian Fried Doughnuts
Papanași are traditional, deep-fried cheese-filled doughnuts usually served with jam and sour cream. They are super delicious and they are probably the most popular Romanian dessert. You can find them in nearly every traditional Romanian restaurant and they are a must-try when visiting the country.
To the confusion of foreign tourists, but also many Romanians, papanași is also the name of traditional cottage cheese dumplings. These can also be served with jam, but are very different in both taste and texture from the deep-fried version. So when visiting a Romanian restaurant make sure to ask what type of papanași they have on the menu.
Below is a class recipe for papanași provided by Romanian Chef Nicolaie Tomescu.
Papanași: Romanian Fried Doughnuts
Ingredients
Dough:
- 1 kg well-squeezed sweet cottage cheese the cheese must be lumpy and not creamy
- 400 g white flour
- 20 g vanilla sugar
- 3-4 eggs 3 larger, 4 smaller
- 1 peel of lemon grated
- a pinch salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 lemon juice
- cooking oil
Serving:
- 600 g sour cream with 25% fat
- 150-200 g vanilla flavored powdered sugar
- 400 g jam (blueberry is our favorite)
Instructions
- Put the flour, cheese, vanilla sugar, salt and lemon peel in a large bowl, add in the baking soda mixed with lemon juice and “knead” with your fingers so that the mixture comes together, avoiding cheese lumps.
- On a work surface sprinkled with flour, form a thick roll to a diameter of about 6 cm, and cut it into 1.2-1.5 cm (1/2 inch – 2/3 inch) thick slices.
- Roll the slices into round balls, and use a finger to make the classic doughnut hole. Then leave everything on the work surface until the oil heats up.
- In a deep pan, heat enough oil so that it covers the papanaşi slices. Fry over a medium heat for 3-4 minutes on each side, turning constantly and checking they do not burn.
- Mix the vanilla flavored powdered sugar with the cream.
- Serve hot with cream sauce and your favorite jam. A simple, tasty and easy to make dessert. Good work and good appetite!
Notes
Related: Romanian Vegan Doughnuts
Related: Cozonac cu Nuca
Related: Amandine (Romanian Chocolate Cake)
Related: Lichiu
Related: Romanian Lemon Cake
Photo Credit: Nitu Iulian
