Oh, Delicious Doughnuts!!!

We had some friends over last week who were talking about doughnuts.  We never eat them, but boy do I like them - especially the "old fashioned" cakey ones -  perfect for dipping in coffee!!!  My mother just made some last week and told me about it and at Christmas, my sister-in-law bought a doughnut cutter at a kitchen store we went to.  So...I thought it was about time to try them out!

Wow!  Soooo easy!  These are not the yeasty light ones so they require no time to rise.  Just mix, cut and fry.  I used heart shaped cutters because it was valentines and also because I have no circle shaped cutters.  I also dipped one side in cinnamon sugar after I took them out of the oil.  SO GOOD!

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 dash ground nutmeg
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 egg, beaten
• 3-4 c. oil for frying

Directions

1. Heat oil in deep-fryer to 375 degrees F (I didn't have a thermometer and so I just would take one of the doughnut holes and drop it in.  When it sunk and quickly rose to the top, I knew the temp. was about right.)
2. In a large bowl, sift together flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, cinnamon and nutmeg. Mix in butter until crumbly. Stir in milk and egg until smooth. Knead lightly, then turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll or pat to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut with a doughnut cutter, or use two round biscuit cutters of different sizes.
3. Carefully drop doughnuts into hot oil, a few at a time. Do not overcrowd pan or oil may overflow. Fry, turning once, for 3 minutes or until golden. Drain on paper towels.  Dip in cinnamon sugar.