Vanilla Doughnuts

Preheat 2-inches of shortening in a deep skillet to 365 degrees F (or use a deep fryer).

Sift the flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, and nutmeg together into a large bowl.

Add the shortening, eggs, vanilla, and milk and stir for one minute until well mixed.

Pour the batter into a doughnut maker (a dispenser made for extruding donuts) and press the doughnuts out into the hot oil. Cook them in batches as needed - do not crowd them in the pan. Cook, turning once, until golden brown on each side.

Remove the doughnuts from the oil and let drain on a wire rack over paper toweling. Ice or decorate as desired.

cook's notes

If you don't have a donut batter dispenser, use a pastry bag fitted with a large tip. You can either pipe the doughnuts into long sticks or form circles. They won't look as pretty but they taste just as good!