INGREDIENTS

2 tbsp white vinegar
3/8 cup milk (3 oz.)
2 tbsp shortening
1/2 cup sugar (and extra for putting on donuts)
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour, sifted (extra may be needed)
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
Vegetable oil for deep-frying (or use canola oil, which is healthier)
For Chocolate version:
Increase sugar to 3/4 cup
Add 1/2 cup cocoa powder to dry ingredients OR  add 2 oz. unsweetened chocolate, melted, to butter/sugar

DIRECTIONS

  • Stir vinegar into milk and let stand for a few minutes until thick.
  • Cream together sugar and shortening (and add melted chocolate if using that).
  • Add eggs and vanilla and stir until blended.
  • Sift together flour, salt, and soda (and cocoa if using that). Stir into sugar mixture, alternating with milk mixture to incorporate both thoroughly. ( I had to add about 1 1/2 cups extra flour to get a dough consistency myself.)
  • Roll dough out thick, about 1/3 inch and cut into doughnut shapes with a doughnut cutter. I used a large cup for the donuts and a narrow shot-glass for the holes. Roll excess dough into small balls and flatten to make more donut
  • Heat oil until it makes noise (about 375°) and fry doughnuts and
  • Serving suggestions: while warm, dust powdered sugar over doughnuts, roll in sugar or a mix of cinnamon and sugar, or cinnamon and powdered sugar, or coat with a simple glaze of confectioner’s sugar mixed with a tiny bit of water. Add some strawberry or cherry syrup to your simple glaze, a bit of cocoa, maple syrup, food coloring, or flavoring.

Credits to http://www.tablespoon.com/recipes/simple-homemade-donuts-fried/93086858-d3a2-47d0-9415-6db833469ff5