onApril 1, 2025

Romanian Plum Dumplings – Găluște cu Prune

3 min read

Contents

Tips for Perfect Plum Dumplings 🔥
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) ❓
Final Thoughts 💭

Traditional Romanian Plum Dumplings (Găluște cu Prune) are a delicious Transylvanian dessert made from potato dough wrapped around juicy plums, boiled, and coated in a crispy cinnamon breadcrumb mixture. Soft, sweet, and comforting, these dumplings are perfect for fall or as a nostalgic treat from Eastern European cuisine.

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 15

Course Dessert

Cuisine Romanian

Servings 12 dumplings

Calories 220 kcal

Ingredients

Dough

500 g (1 lb) potatoes (boiled with skin)
1 egg
150-200g (1 to 1 ½ cups) all-purpose flour
A pinch of salt

Filling

10-12 small plums
2 tbsp sugar

Coating

100 g (1 cup) breadcrumbs
50 g (¼ cup) butter
3 tbsp sugar
1 tsp cinnamon

Instructions

Prepare the Potatoes

Boil potatoes with their skins on to avoid excess moisture.
Let them cool slightly, then peel and mash them until smooth.

Make the Dough

In a large bowl, mix mashed potatoes, egg, and salt.
Gradually add flour, kneading gently to form a soft, slightly sticky dough.

Prepare the Plums

Wash the plums and cut them halfway to remove the pit.
If they are not very sweet, sprinkle sugar inside before sealing.

Make the Cinnamon Breadcrumbs

In a large pan, melt butter over medium heat.
Add breadcrumbs and stir until golden brown.
Mix in sugar and cinnamon, then remove from heat.

Shape the Dumplings

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Wet your hands, take a small piece of dough, flatten it, and place a plum in the center.
Carefully wrap the dough around the plum to seal it completely.

Boil the Dumplings

Drop dumplings into boiling water, a few at a time.
When they float to the surface (after about 5-6 minutes), they are cooked.
Remove with a slotted spoon and let them drain for a few seconds.

Coat & Serve

Roll each hot dumpling in the breadcrumb mixture.
Serve immediately while warm and fresh!

Notes

Step-by-step process of making traditional Romanian Plum Dumplings (Găluște cu Prune), from preparing the dough and filling it with plums to boiling and coating the dumplings in golden cinnamon breadcrumbs.

Romanian plum dumplings, or Găluște cu Prune, are a traditional dessert deeply rooted in Transylvanian cuisine. What makes them unique is their unexpected ingredient—potatoes! Though often associated with savory dishes, potatoes serve as the base for these incredibly soft, sweet, and indulgent dumplings.

The combination of tender potato dough, juicy ripe plums, and a golden breadcrumb-cinnamon coating creates a harmonious blend of flavors and textures. Despite being a relatively simple recipe, it does require a bit of patience, as the dough can be quite sticky. However, the final result is well worth the effort—a dessert that is sure to impress guests and transport anyone to the heart of Romania with just one bite.

Tips for Perfect Plum Dumplings 🔥

✅ Boil potatoes in their skins to prevent excess water absorption.

✅ Adjust flour quantity based on potato moisture—add just enough for a soft, pliable dough.

✅ Use wet hands when handling the dough to prevent sticking.

✅ If making dumplings ahead, sprinkle flour on a surface to prevent them from sticking before boiling.

✅ For less sweet plums, add a bit of sugar inside before wrapping them in dough.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) ❓

Can I make the dumplings ahead of time?

It’s best to serve plum dumplings fresh and warm. Once they cool down, the texture changes slightly. However, leftovers can be stored and reheated the next day.

Why is my dough too sticky?

Sticky dough happens when the potatoes absorb too much water. To fix this, gradually add more flour until it reaches the right consistency.

Can I bake the dumplings instead of boiling them?

Traditional Romanian plum dumplings are boiled, but they can be baked. Place them in a buttered baking dish to prevent sticking. Note that baking changes the texture slightly.

How should I store leftovers?

Leftover dumplings can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day. Reheat them in the microwave before serving.

Final Thoughts 💭

Romanian Găluște cu Prune is a nostalgic dessert that brings the warmth of home-cooked comfort food with every bite. The combination of soft potato dough, juicy plums, and crunchy cinnamon breadcrumbs makes for a truly unforgettable treat. Whether you're revisiting childhood flavors or trying them for the first time, these dumplings are sure to win your heart! ❤️

Have you tried this recipe? Let us know in the comments how it turned out! 😊👇

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Keyword găluște cu prune, plum desserts, potato dough recipes, Romanian plum dumplings, Transylvanian recipes

Ed
I’m Ed, the creator of Book of Foods. Since 2015 I’ve been collecting stories and recipes from around the world to prove that good food can be simple, vibrant, and good for you.