As I type this mornings post I'm actually finishing off one of the donuts, along with a cup of fresh, hot coffee. The donuts were made yesterday afternoon and this morning, after sitting all night, the flavor had changed a bit from when they were hot and fresh; and as I bit into it, I was instantly taken back to being 3 years old, visiting my Grandpa's Golden Sun Feed Store, and munching on one of the ever-present donuts they offered to customers. Yes... Flavor? Nailed it. Not quite the texture, but I think I'm close and I can always try again to improve on that by using shortening next time instead of butter.
This is a cinnamon and nutmeg infused fried donut - not exactly the cake donut of my dreams, but very, very close. Those good old-fashioned cake donuts with just a hint of spice. Iced in a simple vanilla glaze and sprinkles of your choice, it's a fun breakfast alternative bringing back the days of Grandpa and Grandma's house.
Old Fashioned Doughnuts
1 3/4 c flour
1/2 T baking powder
1/2 t cinnamon
1/4 t nutmeg
1/2 t salt
3 T milk
1/4 c butter
2 eggs
1/3 c sugar
1 t vanilla extract
oil for frying
either cinnamon & sugar mixture for sprinkling or a simple vanilla icing for glazing
In a bowl combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Set aside. In a microwave safe bowl place the milk and butter. Microwave 30 seconds or so until the butter is melted.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar, vanilla and eggs. Using an electric mixer, beat until thick. Add the milk/butter mixture and stir with a wooden spoon (cease using the mixer). Add the dry flour mixture and stir with the wooden spoon. Cover your dough and chill about 2 hours. The dough will remain a bit sticky. Roll the dough out on a floured surface to about 1/2 - 3/4 inch thick. Cut dough with a round cookie cutter followed by cutting a hole from the center with a smaller 1" round cookie cutter - or if you have a doughnut cutter, all the better! Fry 2-3 doughnuts at a time in hot oil - about 375 degrees. Fry slow. If your oil is too hot, they will be dark brown on the outside but still doughy on the inside. It should take about 3 minutes per doughnut. Drain on paper towels. You can shake the warm doughnuts and doughnut holes in a paper bag with a cinnamon and sugar mixture or wait until they cool a bit and mix up a simple glaze using powdered sugar, vanilla, a bit of butter and a tad bit of milk. Beat smooth and use this to ice your doughnuts before sprinkling with jimmies.
You might also be interested in;
Norpro 3168 Donut Maker
Ateco 2-1/2-Inch Stainless Steel Doughnut Cutter
Ateco 3-1/2-Inch Stainless Steel Doughnut Cutter
Ateco 2-1/2" and 3-1/2" Donut Cutter Set
