Shenkli (swiss Doughnuts)

Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup butter
• 3 cups sugar
• 8 eggs, beaten
• 2 lemons, zest of
• 1 teaspoon lemon flavoring (can use extract, lemon oil, true lemon)
• 9 -9 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
• oil, for deep-frying

Recipe

• in a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. add eggs, lemon zest, and lemon flavoring of your choice.
• in another large mixing bowl, sift together 4 cups of the flour, salt, baking soda and cream of tartar.
• add this to the butter/sugar mixture and mix well.
• add the remaining flour to the dough, one cup at a time (dough should be very stiff).
• roll by hand into long 1-inch-thick rolls (like snakes). cut rolls into two-inch lengths and shape like fat fingers.
• chill 4 hours or overnight in refrigerator.
• deep-fry chilled dough in batches in hot oil until golden brown (if using a deep-fryer, use manufacturer's suggested setting. if using a deep skillet on the stovetop, heat oil until it shimmers but doesn't smoke).
• drain on paper towels. serve.
• these can be frozen once cooled.