New Year's Cookies

New Year's cookies are a favorite of mine, though they aren't what you would call healthy.  They are a traditional Mennonite dish served with farmer sausage.  

Ingredients

2 packages dry yeast

2 cups warm water

8 tsp. sugar

6 cups flour, divided

1 3/4 cup milk (scalded and cooled)

2 tbsp vinegar

2 tsp salt

5 eggs

1 lb. raisins

2 tsp baking powder

Directions

Soften yeast in 2 cups water and 8 tsp. sugar.  Let stand 15 minutes.  Then mix in 2 cups flour to make a sponge.  Now let this rise in a warm place.  When light, add all other ingredients and the remaining 4 cups flour, or enough to make stiff batter.  Let rise until doubled and fry in deep fryer.

Dip into regular or icing sugar and eat.

Roll Kuchen

Roll Kucken is a summer favorite of mine.  It goes perfectly with a slice of watermelon or cabbage borscht.

1 cup heavy cream or sour cream
2 eggs
2 cups flour
]1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt

Sift flour, salt and baking powder into mixing bowl.  Make a well and add other ingredients.  Mix well and add a bit more flour if dough is too soft to handle.  Roll out on floured board, cut in strips (2x4 inches).  Cut 2 slits in each strip, fry in deep hot oil. Turn when one side is done, then brown the other side.