Romanian cookies aren’t just desserts—they’re stories, secrets, and traditions wrapped in sweet, buttery goodness.
Whether you’re a seasoned baker looking to add a touch of Romania to your repertoire or simply someone with a sweet tooth eager to explore new flavors, you’re in for a treat.
Ready to satisfy your curiosity? Discover the cookie that will capture your heart and more Romanian food ideas for your cravings.
7 Must-Try Romanian Cookies
Key ingredients: butter, sugar, eggs, flour, raisins, vanilla extract, baking powder, salt
Shape: typically round or slightly oval-shaped
Serving suggestion: with a cup of hot tea or coffee; as a great addition to a festive cookie platter
Fursecuri cu stafide are soft, buttery cookies dotted with raisins. Perfect for a cozy afternoon treat, these cookies scream “home”. So good they’ll have you coming back for seconds!
Cornulețe cu Vanilie: Crescent Vanilla Cookies
Key ingredients: flour, unsalted butter, walnuts, egg yolks, vanilla extract, lemon zest, powdered sugar
Shape: crescent
Serving suggestion: generously dusted with powdered sugar
Cornulete vanilate, a beloved pastry in Romanian cuisine, is a type of buttery crescent-shaped cookie that perfectly pairs with a cup of coffee. They are traditionally made with a blend of all-purpose flour and unsalted butter or lard. They are enriched with ground walnuts, egg yolks and vanilla extract, often rounded out with lemon zest for a subtle citrus undertone.
Cornulete vanilate are dusted with powdered sugar, mimicking a light and delightful snowfall on a festive day. Romanian Christmas food always serves up the good stuff, and we’re here for it!
Rugelach: Nut or Jam-Filled Cookies
Key ingredients: cream cheese, unsalted butter, all-purpose flour, nuts (e.g. walnuts, almonds), fruit preserves (e.g. apricot, raspberry), cinnamon and/or chocolate, granulated or powdered sugar for dusting
Shape: crescent rolls
Serving suggestion: sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar before baking
Rugelach hails from Eastern European Jewish communities and has become loved in various cultures, including Romania. This flaky, fruity delight is often found in bakeries and at festive celebrations.
The cookie features a pastry dough traditionally made with cream cheese. Rugelach fillings vary, but they usually include nuts, fruit preserves, cinnamon, and sometimes chocolate.
Covrigi: Pretzel-Shaped Delights
Key ingredients: flour, yeast, water, vegetable oil, sugar, salt, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or flaky sea salt for topping
Shape: pretzel-shaped
Serving suggestion: with a cup of coffee or a glass of iaurt de băut (drinkable yoghurt)
Covrigi, commonly referred to as “Romanian pretzels,” are a staple in Romanian bakeries and street food stalls. These pretzel-shaped cookies can be both sweet and savory, making them a versatile and popular treat.
The dough for covrigi is made from flour, yeast, water, vegetable oil, sugar, and salt. After the dough is divided into small portions, it is rolled into thin ropes and twisted into the iconic pretzel shape. Before baking, covrigi can be topped with sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or even flaky sea salt.
Fursecuri cu Gem: Jam-Filled Butter Cookies
Key ingredients: butter, powdered sugar, all-purpose flour, egg yolks, vanilla extract, fruit jam (e.g. apricot, strawberry)
Shape: various shapes, often round or square
Serving suggestion: paired with a glass of milk or tea
Fursecuri cu gem, or jam-filled butter cookies, are classic Romanian melt-in-your-mouth cookies that can be found in almost every Romanian household during holidays or family gatherings. To make fursecuri cu gem, a simple dough is created using butter, powdered sugar, all-purpose flour, egg yolks, and vanilla extract.
The dough is then rolled out and cut into various shapes, such as rounds or squares. Your favorite fruit jam goes between two cookies.
They’re similar to cookies made in the Czech Republic where they’re popular during Christmas.
Paleuri cu Ciocolată: A Chocolaty Indulgence
Key ingredients: eggs, butter, flour, vanilla, powdered sugar, salt, cream, dark chocolate
Shape: half-spheres sandwiched with chocolate cream
Serving suggestion: paired with a cup of coffee or tea
Paleuri cu ciocolată, traditional Romanian cookies, are a chocolaty indulgence loved by many. These treats merge the rich flavors of dark chocolate with the tender texture of buttery vanilla cookies.
Two cookies are sandwiched with a generous spread of ganache, melted dark chocolate and cream. Once filled, you drizzle them with melted chocolate in zig-zag lines.
Fursecuri în Două Culori (Two Color Cookies)
Key ingredients: butter, sugar, eggs, flour, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, baking powder, salt
Shape: spirals, checkerboards, or marbled patterns, highlighting the two different colors of dough
Serving suggestion: a sweet treat with tea, coffee, or milk
Fursecuri în două culori are traditional Romanian cookies that feature a delightful contrast of light and dark dough. They’re ideal cookies for both vanilla and cocoa lovers, offering a perfect balance of these two popular flavors in every bite.
If you liked these Romanian cookies, I’m sure you’ll also enjoy special Romanian cakes paired with some authentic drinks. Go ahead, get your hands on these treats.