Grammy’s Doughnuts

We were sitting around the Thanksgiving breakfast table (eating cranberry muffins) and mom declared, “Let’s make doughnuts!”   Well, obviously we were not making them for a second breakfast.   I suggested we wait until the nephews were back and make them for last Saturday’s breakfast. This is an heirloom recipe from the family recipe book.   Grammy was mom’s grandmother. Here is the recipe in its original:

Snowball Doughnuts (Grammy’s)

Cream 1 C. sugar with 3 or 4 T. melted oleo.  Add 2 well beaten eggs, 1 c. sweet milk, 1 t. vanilla, salt, 2 t. nutmeg, 2 round t. B.P. in flour to make a stiff dough.  Roll to 1 ” depth and fry.

Again, these old recipes lack a little finesse. As mom made them, I took special notes.  Here is the modern version:

Grammy’s Snowball Doughnuts

1 c. sugar
4 T. butter, softened
2 eggs, beaten
1 c. 2% milk
1 t. vanilla
1/2 t. salt
2 t. fresh ground nutmeg
1 T. baking powder
3 c. flour
Canola oil for frying
Cinnamon Sugar in a paper bag

In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream sugar and butter.   Add eggs, milk, and vanilla.  Mix to combine.  In a smaller bowl, whisk together nutmeg, baking powder and flour.   Add flour to mixer and mix to make a stiff dough. Roll out flat to 1/2 inch. Fry in oil (at least 2 inches of oil) in a deep skillet or heavy saucepan. Flip each doughnut once while frying.   Remove and let drain on paper towels. While still warm, shake doughnuts in cinnamon-sugar mixture.  Best eaten warm.

We shook a few in powdered sugar, but for old-school style, you can’t beat the cinnamon-sugar. Mom got creative and made one “turd” doughnut for my brother-in-law.   I made sure that I dipped it in powdered sugar instead of the cinnamon mixture.   I wanted to help him out as much as I could.

What was my wise five-year-old nephew’s comment about this pile of doughnuts?   “Why are we eating unhealthy stuff for breakfast?”

Out of the mouths of babes.

I originally posted about Grammy’s Doughnuts this summer.

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5 comments to Grammy’s Doughnuts

  • Oh, Eliot… I love this post… it reminds me of my dad’s Christmas donuts – he used to make them every year – it was a big, proud production and we always knew when he took out his ingredients that the holidays were here. I love when a recipe can evoke that kind of nostalgia… thank you!

  • These by far are my favorite donuts-cake with a touch of nutmeg. While I am no doughnut maker, I am sure they are tasty made into any shape! No doubt grammy would have been proud that you made these after all these years. Delicious post!

  • In the immortal words of Homer Simpson “Mmmmm, donuts”. And thanks for updating Grammy’s recipe to share with us.

  • I love you upholding your grandmother’s recipes – these doughnuts look so delicious!

  • […] I have posted about your pickled green tomatoes, your donuts, your bread, and your potato salad as an homage to you and your kitchen.   I wish I could talk […]