Fattigmann Recipe

Fattigmann (English: poor man), also known as Fattigmann Bakkels (English: poor man pastry), are a type of Norwegian fried-dough cookie. They are also eaten in the areas of North America where Scandinavians settled during the nineteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth century. The dough is made from egg yolks, egg whites, sugar, cream, cognac, cinnamon, cardamom, and flour.

Ingredients:

1 egg

3 egg yolks

1/4 cup heavy cream

4 teaspoons white sugar

1 tablespoon butter, melted

1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

4 cups lard for frying

Directions:

In a large bowl, beat egg and yolks together. Stir in the cream, sugar, melted butter and cardamom. Mix in enough of the flour to make a soft but manageable dough. Handle the dough as little as possible or cookies will be tough.
Heat oil in deep skillet to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). On a floured cloth, roll the dough out to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut into 2x2 inch diamond shapes.
Fry in hot lard until lightly browned. Drain on paper and dust with confectioners' sugar when cool. The cookies should be uniform in size and thickness and shouldn't be fried too dark or too light.