Every time I turn around, I see another kitchen gadget for making doughnuts at home. Make your Hanukkah or Christmas bright with this easy revolutionary new donuts magic machine! My mother even once owned one of these type of gadgets. (adoringly bought by me at around age 10 from the local supermarket for a Mother’s Day gift I believe) It made a few mini donuts in a waffle iron type of contraption. You could only use their special recipes and no one in our family was a huge fan of cake donuts. I have no idea how long my mother had it before it vanished.
In any case, you don’t need a gadget at all to make doughnuts. In fact, they are incredibly easy to make at home. These are a basic version that turn out quite tasty.
Spiced Sugar Doughnuts
3 T. shortening
1 3/4 cup sugar (again I cut the sugar a bit and only use 3/4 cup in the batter)
2 eggs
4 1/2 cups flour (you can use up to half of this as whole wheat flour to cut the doughnut guilt)
4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp nutmeg
1 cup milk
2 tbs cinnamon
Cream together shortening and 1 cup sugar. Beat eggs, add. Sift together flour, baking powder, salt and nutmeg. Add alternately with milk to creamed mixture. Roll out 1/2 inch thick on lightly floured board. Cut with doughnut cutter. (or cookie or biscuit cutter or say…a glass–which is generally what I reach for. Fry in deep fat or salad oil heated to 375 F. 3 min or until brown, turning once. Drain on paper towel. Mix remaining sugar and cinnamon. Shake warm donuts with cinnamon mixture in paper bag. (I have a flat bowl I use for this instead)
Original Recipe from The Pocket Cook Book, Elizabeth Woody, 1942
