Poertzelki Recipes

POERTZELKI

Steps:

• Dissolve yeast in warm water; add sugar and 2 cups flour. Mix to combine, cover bowl with plastic, and let rise about 1 hour.
• Mix in remaining flour, eggs, butter, salt, milk, and raisins until fully combined. Cover bowl and let rise again for 1 hour.
• Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Drop dough by tablespoonfuls in hot fat and cook until brown on both sides. Cookie usually flips over when done on the first side. Be sure fat isn't too hot or your cookie may be raw inside when dark on the outside. Drain on paper towels. Sprinkle with granulated or powdered sugar, if desired.

PORTZELKY (NEW YEAR'S COOKIES)

Steps:

• Dissolve sugar in lukewarm water in a large bowl and sprinkle yeast over the top. Let yeast activate until it forms a creamy layer on top of the water, about 10 minutes.
• Rinse raisins and pat dry with paper towels. Stir raisins into yeast mixture; beat eggs, lukewarm milk, and salt into yeast mixture. Beat flour into liquid ingredients until dough is smooth. If dough is too sticky, beat in 1/4 cup more flour. Cover dough and set aside in a warm place to rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
• Heat vegetable oil to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) in a large saucepan or deep fat fryer.
• Scoop up dough by tablespoon and drop, a few at a time, into the hot oil. Fry until lightly browned; drain on wire racks set over paper towels. Dust with confectioners' sugar.

PORTZELKY (NEW YEAR'S COOKIES)

Steps:

• Dissolve sugar in lukewarm water in a small bowl. Sprinkle with yeast and let stand.
• Combine milk, water, salt, sugar, baking powder, and raisins in a large bowl or in the bowl of a stand mixer.
• Beat in egg yolks and yeast.
• Stir in flour to make a heavy (rather stiff) batter.
• Fold in egg whites.
• Cover and set in a warm place until well risen (at least double in bulk). This should take about 2 hours. The end result is a fairly sticky dough.
• Drop by tablespoonfuls into hot oil (375F) and fry until golden brown.