Melissa, I have just gotten this recipe from my aunt and have not made these myself yet, but my father's family have made New Year's Cookies for many, many years and my mother made them my whole life. I am sure this is what your husband is talking about. I, always looking for an easier way, was going to try making raised doughnut dough in my bread machine and just add the raisins at the first beep and then deep-frying.

New Year's Cookies

Dissolve:
1 pkg. Red Star yeast in 1/4 cup lukewarm water with 1 tsp. sugar. (Use the very large Tupperware mixing bowl-mine measures 12-inches across by 6-inches high.)

I lightly warm (lukewarm) 2 cups milk to which you add 3 well beaten eggs. Stir and pour into large mixing bowl, then add the yeast mixture along with another 2 Tblsp sugar and l l/2 tsp. salt.

Now add 5 cups sifted flour and stir (by hand) till it is a spongy dough.

Then add 2 cups raisins (that have been lightly floured.) Keeps them separated in dough. Cover with a towel or plastic lid (lightly) and let rise, will be "spongy and holey" about half way up the bowl, then stir the mixture down and let it rise again till double in size (almost to top of bowl.

Fry in deep fat of 325 degrees. They should turn themselves over in the fryer, but it not, turn them over and each side should be golden or medium brown. (Not real dark). Drain on rack and then dip them in a powdered sugar runny frosting and drain on rack again till dry.

Frosting:
I just put a little oleo and milk in a saucepan or heat in microwave till lukewarm. Then add enough powdered sugar to make a runny frosting. Dip in it and then drain cookies.