Basic Batter Donuts

2 ¼ cups flour

¾ cup sugar

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp salt

¼ tsp grated nutmeg

2 eggs

¾ cup milk

1 Tbs. vegetable oil

1 tsp vanilla extract

Sift flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg into a medium size bowl and stir until well blended.  In a separate container, whisk together eggs, milk, oil and vanilla.  Pour egg mixture into dry ingredients and beat until smooth.  Use a donut batter dispenser (see note below) and fry in 2 inches of oil 365° to 375° F., about 2 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels and toss in sugar while warm.

Notes

When I was a freshman in college at Illinois Wesleyan University, I got a job with the campus food service. One of my jobs was to get up ridiculously early (for a college kid) and make batter donuts for breakfast a couple days a week. We had a batter dispenser that made four dozen donuts at a pop, but keep an eye out for a more modest vintage donut batter dispenser (like the old red and white Popeil Brothers, or a Mirro cookie press with the donut attachment) or order one online before you attempt this recipe. The results will be worth the wait.