CHRUSCIKI OR FAWORKI

These Polish cookies are very time consuming to make. They are very flavorful and rich. This recipe makes hundreds of cookies. Literally. But they are worth it in the end. The cognac can easily be omitted entirely, but why bother! You can cut the kneading time down by using a food processor! Use a couple of pans for frying to make it go faster! (Assembly line)! Cook time is 1 minute per batch of cookies! If you use a shallow, wide pan you can cook more at a time. I use a large chicken fryer. It's actually a 7 qt fryer/casserole with two handles.

Makes 200 cookies

2 whole eggs plus 10 egg yolks
1 tablespoon butter, melted
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pure orange extract
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon freshly grated fresh lemon rind
1 teaspoon freshly grated orange rind
3 tablespoons cognac
1/2 cup sour cream
4 to 5 cups flour
FOR FRYING:
melted Crisco, mixed with lard, if kosher just use Crisco
powdered sugar (for dusting)

Beat the eggs and egg yolks together until thick and lemon colored.

Add the melted butter, sugar, salt, extracts, citrus rinds, cognac, and sour cream and beat until creamy and smooth.

Add enough flour gradually to produce a thick, fairly stiff dough. Turn out onto a floured board and knead for 8-10 minutes until the dough is elastic and can be handled easily.

Roll pieces of dough 1/8-inch thin (should be able to see through them) and cut into strips about 3 inches long and 2 inches wide.

Cut the ends on a diagonal. Slit each piece in the center and pull one end through the slit.

Heat the Crisco and lard to 375 degrees and fry the dough strips, until lightly browned (about 1 minute).

Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with powdered sugar.