Icelandic Snowflake Bread

Title: ICELANDIC SNOWFLAKE BREADS (LAUFABRAUD)
Categories: Breads, Ethnic
Yield: 6 servings

4 c All purpose flour
1 ts Baking powder
1 tb Sugar
1 tb Melted butter
2 c Milk, heated to boiling

hot fat for frying powdered sugar (optional)

In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder and sugar.
Mix in the butter and hot milk until a stiff dough is
formed. Turn out onto a lightly oiled surface and
knead until smooth and cooled. Divide dough into four
parts. Shape each into a ball. Divide each into 4
parts to make 16, then divide each of the resulting
balls into 2 parts to total 32.

Cover baking sheets with waxed paper and dust the
waxed paper lightly with flour.

On a lightly floured surface, roll out each part of
dough to make a thin round about 8 inches in diameter.
Place the rounds on the floured waxed paper. Chill 30
minutes.

In a skillet, heat 2 inches of fat to 375 to 400
degrees F. Vegetable shortening or corn or peanut oil
may be used but the authentic fat is lard.

Fold gthe dough rounds, one at the time, into
quarters, and, with a sharp-tipped knife, make little
cuts and cut-outs in the dough. Fry the bread rounds,
until golden brown, about 1 minute on each side.
Remove and drain on paper toweling. Store in an
airtight container in a cool place or in the freezer
until ready to serve.