Recipe: Italian Fried Twists (Cenci)

recipelink.com Chat Room Recipe Swap - 2001-08-17
From: Recipelink

Italian Fried Twists (Cenci)
From: Pamela Cale
Newsgroup: rec.food.cooking
Makes about 8 dozen twists

1/4 cup butter
4 cups cake flour
1/3 cup sugar
4 eggs
2 Tbsp brandy
Oil or shortening for deep frying
Confectioners' sugar

In a large bowl, cut butter into flour with a pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in sugar. In a small bowl, lightly beat the eggs with brandy. Add to flour mixture, stirring until all the flour is moistened. On a lightly floured surface, knead dough until smooth, about 5 minutes. Cover and let rest 10 minutes. Fill a heavy saucepan with oil 4 inches deep; slowly heat to 400F. Cut off a sixth of the dough at a time and roll paper thin. Using a pastry cutter or sharp knife, cut into 8x3/4 inch strips. Leave in strips or tie in knots. If desired, dough may also be cut in 2-inch long diamonds. Gently drop into hot oil, a few at a time, and cook 1 minute, or until lightly browned. Using a slotted spoon or tongs, lift out of oil and drain on paper towels. Cool slightly. Sprinkle generously with confectioners' sugar and store, loosely covered, in a dry place.