Csöröge, also known as Ciurigăi, are thin and crispy donuts made with white wine — a traditional festive recipe from Sighetu Marmației, in the heart of Maramureș County. Known across the border as „forgácsfánk” and often called „Angel Wings” in English, these delicate pastries are a celebration staple in the kitchens of the region, served at weddings, christenings and holiday gatherings. The paper-thin dough is rolled on the finger into a bow shape, fried until golden and generously sprinkled with powdered sugar.
🥣 Ingredients
- eggs
- flour
- white wine
- powdered sugar (for sprinkling)
- oil (for frying)
👩🍳 How to prepare
Start by making a dough from eggs, flour and white wine. The dough should be firm enough to roll, yet elastic. Spread it out into a sheet as thin as paper, then cut strips about 2 fingers wide. Roll each strip on your finger and shape it like a bow, pressing the ends gently so the shape holds during frying. Fry the bows in hot oil until golden and crispy on both sides, then drain them on paper towels. Sprinkle a lot of powdered sugar on top and serve them while they are still slightly warm.
The secret of the crispy texture lies in the white wine: the alcohol evaporates quickly in the hot oil, leaving the pastry light, airy and delicate, while the wine adds a subtle aroma that makes these donuts so distinctive. The dough must be rolled extremely thin — almost transparent — because the thinner the sheet, the crispier the result.
📺 Video recipe
Watch the video recipe on YouTube
📖 The story of the recipe
This recipe comes from Chirilă Berta, 65 years old, from Sighetu Marmației, and was collected as part of the Maramureș GastroEtnoArt project, carried out by the Maramureș County Museum in Sighetu Marmației. The project documents traditional dishes, techniques and stories from the region, preserving a culinary heritage passed down from generation to generation.
Sighetu Marmației, located on the banks of the Tisa River, close to the border with Ukraine, is one of the most important cultural centers of Maramureș — a county famous for its UNESCO-listed wooden churches, its carved gates and its living traditions. In this multicultural area, where Romanian, Hungarian and Ukrainian influences meet in everyday life, recipes like csöröge have travelled between communities for centuries, each household adding its own touch. A simple and delicious recipe, perfect for holidays and special occasions, csöröge bring the taste of Maramureș traditions to any table.
Whether you call them csöröge, ciurigăi or Angel Wings, these donuts are proof that the simplest ingredients — eggs, flour and a splash of white wine — can create something truly special.
🔍 What’s next
- If you like traditional donuts, try Aranygaluska or Goldhaluschken — other storybook Maramureș desserts worth discovering.
- Explore more recipes from Sighetu Marmației and the surrounding villages in the Maramureș GastroEtnoArt collection of the Maramureș County Museum.
- Follow the museum’s projects to discover the culinary heritage of Maramureș, from festive pastries to the everyday dishes of the region.
Source: Maramureș County Museum Sighetu Marmației – Maramureș GastroEtnoArt
Photo source: FoodStory ProTV
