Cookbook winner and some recipes

I used Random.org to generate a random (imagine that) number between 1 and 30. The service was quite extraordinary and gave me a really random number. Katie D. is the winner! I enjoyed reading through the fantastically yummy holiday food ideas from all those longing to win the PW cookbook. Katie submitted Chocolate Snow Caps and I want to try them right now. I should have made the rules to winning the cookbook to include bringing me yummy treats in order to win. Here is the recipe:

1/2 cup vegetable oil
4 oz unsweetened baking chocolate, melted, cooled
2 cups granulated sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
4 eggs
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup powdered sugar

1. In large bowl, mix oil, chocolate, granulated sugar and vanilla. Stir in eggs, one at a time. Stir in flour, baking powder and salt. Cover; refrigerate at least 3 hours.
2. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease cookie sheet with shortening or cooking spray.
3. Drop dough by teaspoonfuls into powdered sugar; roll around to coat and shape into balls. Place about 2 inches apart on cookie sheets.
4. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until almost no imprint remains when touched lightly in center. Immediately remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks.

One of my husband's family traditional foods is Portzilke, a German dumpling translated to mean New Year's Cookie. Jeff's grandma always made these on New Year's Day and I am continuing the tradition. They are like a donut with raisins. Seriously delicious if you are into the idea of deep fried sugary dough.

1 c. warm milk

1 pkg dry yeast

1/2 cup. warm water

3 eggs

1 tsp. salt

1/2 c. sugar

2 c. raisins

3 c. flour

• Dissolve yeast in warm water and milk. Add all other ingredients. Beat well. Cover and let rise until doubled in bulk (dough will be runny). Heat fat about 3 inches deep to 380 degrees. Drop a tablespoon of dough at a time into the fat. Brown on both sides. Shake warm cookies in granulated sugar. Eat 45 and save 3 for your husband. All is well. Yields 4 dozen.

• Start weight loss regimen tomorrow.