Spudnuts

Nowadays, if one is looking for a treat, it is easy to run to the local market to pick one up! Or in my case, run to the local frozen yogurt shop or even better, LOPS, the local soda shop.

That is not what life is like growing up on a farm in a rural area. If we wanted a treat, (aside from the occasional bag of penny candy from Lucians Corner Store), we made it. One of my favorite treats were Spudnuts! I loved when we had mashed potatoes for dinner, because what usually followed within the next day or two were Spudnuts.  Now how my mom made these treats perfect every time is a mystery to me; perhaps it was the cup of love for her family that she put into each and every one. Enjoy this great recipe.

Spudnuts

Ingredients:

3 T. (1 package) yeast

1/4 cup warm water

1 cup scalded milk

1/2 cup shortening 

(or butter if you prefer)

1/2 cup white sugar

1 tsp. salt

1 beaten egg

1 cup leftover mashed potatoes

About 5-6 cups flour

Directions:

Add yeast to lukewarm water, stir, and set aside.

Scald milk. Add shortening (or butter), sugar, and salt. Cool to room temperature and add yeast mixture. Stir and let set for a few minutes. Add the beaten egg and mashed potatoes to the mixture. Add flower until the dough becomes stiff and leaves the sides of the bowl. Knead the dough lightly for about 1 minute to form a ball. Place the dough in a greased bowl and let rise for 90 minutes under a covered cloth. Roll our the dough about 1/2 thick and cut with a donut cutter. (Theresa used a class cup and a salt shaker lid to cut the hole in the center. This is still my favorite method)! Let donuts rise for about an hour. Heat vegetable oil in a large pot (You must stay close to this pot, at all times. Theresa told me how oil jumped out of the pan one time and started a towel on fire. Keep a close eye on it!.

When oil is heated, place the doughnuts a few at a time, cook to golden brown on both sides and then place on a paper towel. Then, dip the doughnut is a power sugar glaze or in granulated or powdered sugar. YUM!