ponczki

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 1 (0.6 ounce) cake compressed fresh yeast
• 2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup raisins, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup warm water
• 4 egg yolks
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup orange zest
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 6 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 quarts vegetable oil for frying

Recipe

• in a large bowl, dissolve yeast in lukewarm, scalded milk. add 2 cups flour. stir well, and allow to rest 1 hour in a warm place. warm the milk in a small saucepan until it , then remove from heat and let cool until lukewarm.
• soften chopped raisins in warm water for 30 minutes.
• beat egg, egg yolks, sugar, vanilla, melted butter or margarine, salt, and orange rind. add to yeast sponge. stir in raisins. stir in egg mixture. blend well. add 4 cups flour. mix well, forming smooth ball. dough will be somewhat soft, but not "batter-like." cover dough, and allow to rise until fully doubled. punch down, let rise until double again.
• roll dough into 1/2 inch balls, set aside to rise until doubled in bulk. in a deep-fryer, heat oil to 375 degrees f (190 degrees c).
• drop 2 or 3 at a time into hot fat, turn when deep golden brown. if removed too soon, dough will be undone inside. when done drain briefly and dust with confectioners' sugar before serving.