4 cups flour
4 level teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
2 eggs, beaten
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon and/or nutmeg (optional)
1 cup milk

Sift flour, then measure; add baking powder and salt. Whisk well to mix ingredients. Set aside.

In a mixer, beat together butter and sugar. Whisk eggs well in a small bowl and add to butter mixture while stirring. Add some of the flour, then some milk, then more flour, milk, etc. until no more flour or milk remains. Stir together only until combined.

Lightly dust a work surface with flour. Roll out 1/2 inch thick. Cut with a doughnut cutter (or use a biscuit cutter and cut out center with a smaller cutter.

Spray a wire rack with non-stick spray and let doughnuts sit for 5 minutes or so while vegetable oil is heated in a deep fryer or cast iron dutch oven to 360-370°F.

Fry in hot oil. When lightly browned (a few minutes) turn, using a slotted spoon and brown other side. Remove to paper towels, then cool on wire rack.

Doughnuts may be drizzled with confectioners icing or (tempered) chocolate, or shaken in a bag of sugar, sugar and cinnamon, or flaked coconut.

Submitted by: Belle