Pretzels Kyiv-Style "Kievian Verguny" recipe

Ingredients:
2 tb Cognac
3 ea Eggs seperated
3/4 c Milk
1 lb Flour
3/4 c Almonds grated or finely-chopped
1/2 c Butter melted
3/4 c Oil or lard melted
Salt to taste
5 tb Sugar
2 ts Vanilla or cinnamon
measures conversion [+]

Method:
Whip the egg whites and sugar. Add the cognac, melted butter, & milk. Mix well then add the salt, almonds. Stir in the flour very slowly, mix thoroughly. Knead this dough well and rool it out thin. Cut 2" x 6" strips. Cut a 1 1/2" slit in the middle of each strip and pull one end through the slit. Fry in the pre-heated oil or lard for 4 minutes or until they are golden brown on each side. Remove, drain, cool, then sprinkle with the sugar and vanilla or cinnamon & sugar.

Cuisine: Russian, Ukrainian
Source: Dr. Donald Houston
Recipe category: Breads-and-Pastry > Cookies