Since the year is coming to a frosty close, the promise of a New Year is exciting yet freezing cold. With my Oma’s delicious Oliebollen, you can celebrate the New Year and keep warm! Oliebollen is a Dutch recipe traditionally made on New Year’s Eve and is very easy to make as long as you have a deep fryer! This recipe makes about two dozen, but my Oma usually doubles or even triples the recipe. Trust me—they tend to go fast.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup milk
• 2 tsp. brown sugar
• 1 tsp. salt
• ¼ cup warm water (105 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit)
• 1 TB yeast
• 1 egg
• 1 ½ cup flour
• ⅛ tsp. nutmeg
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ¾ cup golden raisins
• 1-quart vegetable oil
• 2 chopped up apples 
• powdered sugar, for garnish

Directions:

1. Scald milk and stir in brown sugar and salt. Then allow to cool until lukewarm.
2. Measure warm water in a large bowl and then stir in yeast until it dissolves.
3. Stir in the milk mixture, egg, flour, nutmeg and cinnamon. 
4. Beat vigorously until the batter is elastic in texture.
5. Fold in raisins and apples until combined well.
6. Cover the dough and allow it to rise in a warm place for at least an hour. Do not stir down when it’s finished rising!
7. Heat the oil (350 degrees Fahrenheit) and use two spoons to scoop out the dough and drop it into the hot oil. Let the Oliebollen fry for about 3 minutes or until fully cooked through. You might have to test this a bit.
8. Place the Oliebollen on a plate with paper towels to remove excess oil.
9. Lightly sprinkle powdered sugar over the top and enjoy! Be careful to not burn your mouth!