The Eastern Cross/Fasting recipes/Mucenici

Romanian · Sweet

Mucenici

Mucenici moldovenești

Figure-eight cookies for the Forty Martyrs

Wine & oil daysPrep 40 minCook 25 minServes 20Plus 1 hour rising
When to eat it. Baked for March 9, the feast of the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste, during Great Lent. Romanians make forty of them, one for each martyr. Made with oil. Keep it for days when wine and oil are allowed, like weekends in Lent and most of the Nativity Fast.

Ingredients

Method

  1. Knead the flour, yeast, sugar, water, oil and zest into a soft dough. Rise 1 hour.
  2. Roll pieces into ropes and shape each into a figure eight.
  3. Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 20 to 25 minutes until golden.
  4. Brush with warm honey and roll in walnuts and cinnamon.

Tip. In southern Romania they are boiled in a sweet walnut soup instead. Both are kept in Lent.

Fasting customs differ between churches and parishes. When in doubt, follow what your priest gives you. Not sure what today allows? Check the Orthodox calendar.

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