Homemade doughnuts can be decorated however you like.
Doughnuts are a great breakfast food, but they're also delicious for snacks throughout the day. Driving to the local doughnut shop or supermarket is one option for obtaining these fried treats, but they can also be made in your own home by using many of the ingredients that you likely already have on hand. Homemade doughnuts take some time to make, so it's a great activity.
Instructions
Making Doughnuts
1. Heat the shortening or vegetable oil to 375 degrees. If you are using a cooking pot to fry your doughnuts, the oil should be approximately four to five inches deep. Use a cooking thermometer to verify the oil's temperature.
2. Sift the flour, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and baking powder into a large mixing bowl. Slowly pour in the melted butter until a mixture is formed. The mixture will be quite dry and will crumble.
3. Add in milk, egg and vanilla and mix on your mixer's low speed, or mix by hand, until a soft, smooth dough is formed. Knead the dough to remove air bubbles.
4. Lightly flour your counter top and use a floured rolling pin to flatten the dough into a sheet that is 1/4 to 2/3 of an inch thick.
5. Use a round cookie cutter (about 6 inches wide) to cut out doughnut shapes. For the hole, use a pop bottle lid and cut a hole in the middle of each doughnut. Repeat until all dough is used.
6. Drop doughnuts carefully into hot oil, a few at a time. Fry each doughnut for approximately three to four minutes, turning when they're halfway done.
7. Remove doughnuts and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil. Allow them to cool slightly, then dust with cinnamon sugar or other toppings if desired.
8. Store uneaten doughnuts in an air-tight container for freshness.
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