Homemade Doughnuts

My pal NJ recently had a birthday.  Her birthday is easy to remember ("April 20, same as Hitler,") she'll say, wryly.  While she doesn't enjoy sharing a birthday with Hitler, it does make it easy to remember.  I'll think, now when is NJ's birthday, again?  Wait, she said it's the same as Hitler. Then, I google it, and lo and behold, it's easy to find.  It's a strange little trick but by golly, it works. 

When she recently lamented about how much she missed her favorite cake doughnuts from home (Minnesota), a little light bulb went off in my head.  I have a Betty recipe for cake doughnuts. I must make these for her birthday.  Those of you who read my blog know my affection for Betty.  Anyway, I pulled out my Betty Crocker cookbook, and there the cake doughnut recipe was.  (Thanks to Peggy K. for this cookbook, a much-loved grad present).  The recipe has since hit the internet, so check out the link.   I have only made them once before (imagine!) and that time, I had Miss Scarlett's help.  She is very good with dough things (I'm not) and I really missed her help.  However, Mr. L. stepped up as Chief Doughnut Fryer, thank goodness. Together we cut and fried a dozen doughnuts.  You will  note the recipe makes two dozen -- I knew we didn't want that many, so I cut it in half.  NJ had requested plain doughnuts, so that is what she got -- but these can be easily gussied up with powdered sugar, a dip in some chocolate frosting, etc.

Recipe notes:  The dough is very gooey.  Have lots of flour on your board, your rolling pin, your hands, etc. I ended up with flour on my chair, the floor, my fluffy pink bathrobe, etc. I do not own a doughnut cutter, but using a juice glass worked fine.  I used one of Mr. L's shotglasses for the holes.  Aren't shotglasses handy?  Also:  I rolled the first ones too thinly. They are hard to handle and don't look as nice if you roll the dough too thin.