Norwegian Fattigman - Fried Dough

Fattigman is a Norwegian delight.  It literally means poor man's cakes and traditionally they were fried up for Christmas.  Additionally, you can buy a cutter for the dough specifically for this recipe, but it also works well enough to cut diamond shapes and fold the dough through the slit.  This recipe is very simple and comes from the Scandinavian Baking cookbook by Pat Sinclair.

Fried food is always so bad for you, but oh so good when you eat it fresh from the oil.  They are also so pretty when cooked to a nice golden color and then dusted with powdered sugar.  Just be sure you allow enough time for the dough to chill before frying, but this recipe doesn't take much time to put together other than chilling time.

Fattigman:

Makes about 3 dozen cookies

3 large eggs

3/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup heavy whipping cream

1/4 cup butter, melted

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

3 1/2 cups flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

Place the eggs in a bowl and beat until foamy.  Gradually add the sugar and continue beating on low.  Once the sugar is incorporated, beat on a higher speed until thicker and yellow.  Add whipping cream, melted butter and vanilla and beat on low.  Add the flour and salt slowly and stir until a dough is formed.  Wrap and chill for at least two hours, but overnight is fine.

When ready to cook, heat oil to 375 F.  Roll out half the dough on a floured surface to about 3/8 inch thick.  Cut into inch strips.  Cut into diamond shapes about 2 1/2 inches across.  Cut a 1 inch slit in the middle and pull the dough through.  Fry in hot oil until golden brown.  Drain on a paper towel and dust with powdered sugar.  And if you are like me be careful to wait until they are not too hot to burn your tongue!