Raised dumplings

• 1/2 cups lukewarm water
• 2 T yeast
• 1 t sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 1/2 cups lukewarm water
• 1 1/2 t salt
• 7 cups flour

Dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup water with sugar. Beat eggs, butter and 1 1/2 cups warm water. Add salt flour to form a dough thicker than bread dough. Knead and let rise, covered and in a warm place, until doubled. Punch down, knead and roll into dumplings the size of a small ladle. Cover and let rise 1 hour. Fill a large pot with salted water and bring to brisk boil. Throw two or three dumplings at a time and boil 4 minutes. Turn and boil another 4 minutes. Remove and cut in half with string.