Crullers

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

  1. A type of fried pastry that is often twisted into a spiral shape and has a light, airy texture
  2. A sweet treat typically coated in sugar or glaze that is popular at fairs and bakeries
  3. A dessert item that can be made with dough flavored in various ways and is known for its crispy exterior and soft interior

Etymology: The word "cruller" traces back to the Dutch word "kruller," which means "something curly," a reference to the twisted shape of these fried pastries. Dutch immigrants brought the term to English-speaking regions in the 17th century, particularly to North America, where it was used to describe doughnuts or fried cakes with a distinctive twisted or curled form. The characteristic shape is achieved by twisting strips of dough before frying, giving the cruller its namesake "curl." The term began appearing in English texts around the late 1600s to early 1700s, coinciding with the increasing popularity of fried dough confections in colonial America. It is closely related in form and concept to other fried dough treats like "twists" and "fritters," but the defining feature remains the curled or twisted dough. Over time, crullers became a staple in American and Canadian pastry traditions, often enjoyed at fairs and breakfast tables. The word itself is a direct borrowing, retaining its original sense of "curl" or "twist" rather than evolving metaphorically. In some regions, crullers are made from a yeast dough, while in others, a denser batter is piped into twisted shapes, but the core idea of the curl remains central. The Dutch influence on American pastry names is notable, with crullers being a prime example alongside words like "cookie" from "koekje." Thus, the history of the word is tied closely to migration and culinary tradition, preserving a vivid image of the pastry’s shape through centuries of use. The plural "crullers" simply refers to multiple of these curly treats, carrying the same sense as the singular but indicating quantity.

Synonyms: pastries, doughnuts, treats, sweets, confections