Fall brings so many wonderful things to enjoy…

…wooly bears…

…orange mushrooms…

…the beginning of changing leaves…

…and doughnuts…

Doughnuts??

Well, yes! As a once-a-year treat, I think a doughnut (or maybe two) is a good way to celebrate fall with a glass of apple cider.  Everything in moderation, right?!

Last weekend, grandma shared with me a doughnut recipe that has now been handed down through several generations of women.

The recipe requires a bit of womanly instinct, but it’s not too hard in general.  You need:

• 1 or 2 eggs
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 Tbs. melted grease (what you’ve got heated in the deep fryer)
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 Tsp. baking soda
• Dash of nutmeg and salt
• Flour (enough for the dough to be formed into shapes and not totally sticky.  Grandma suggests around 5 cups; we ended up using close to 7 with this batch, so it’s something that needs to be felt out…)
• Enough oil to fill the fryer about 3 or 4 inches

Now, for the directions:

1. Whisk all of the ingredients but the flour together, one at a time.  After they’ve been mixed well, gradually begin stirring in the flour.  We did it cup by cup until the dough reached the desired consistency.
2. Meanwhile, heat your grease/oil to 375*.
3. On a well floured surface, roll the dough about 3/4-inch thick and cut out doughnut shapes.  (The doughnut holes are my favorite part!)
4. Carefully place the pieces 3 or 4 at a time into the oil.  As they’re cooking, they’ll begin to float.  Start to check on them at this point.  Once they turn a little brown on the bottom, flip them over  (they are in their brown phase in the picture above) and let them brown on the other side.
5. Once they’re done, place them on a paper towel to catch excess oil, and then dip them into powdered sugar.  You’ve got doughnuts!  And plenty to share!

Thanks for sharing this time-tested recipe, Grandma! There’s nothing better than a fall afternoon in the kitchen sharing knowledge and love.

Shared on: Farm Girl Friday Blog Fest, Homestead Barn Hop, Backyard Farming Connection Hop, Frugally Sustainable, Simple Lives Thursday, Eat Make Grow