Buttermilk Doughnuts

It doesn't take long for a platter of these doughnuts to vanish.

• Ready In: 25 mins
• Yields: 48 doughnuts

Ingredients

• 4  eggs
• 2  cups sugar
• 1⁄3 cup butter, melted
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract
• 5 1⁄2-6  cups all-purpose flour
• 2  teaspoons baking powder
• 2  teaspoons baking soda
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1  teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2  cups buttermilk
•  oil, for deep-fat frying
•  additional sugar (optional) or   cinnamon sugar (optional) or  confectioners' sugar (optional)

Directions

1. In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs and sugar until light and lemon-colored. Add butter and vanilla; mix well.
2. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and nutmeg; add to egg mixture alternately with buttermilk.
3. Cover and refrigerate for 2-3 hours.
4. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/2-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 3-in. doughnut cutter.
5. In an electric skillet or deep-fat fryer, heat oil to 375°.
6. Fry doughnuts, a few at a time, for 1 minute on each side or until golden.
7. Drain on paper towels.
8. Roll in additional sugar if desired.