Reformation Day Homemade Doughnuts

Homemade doughnuts are a delicious family tradition for celebrating Reformation Day or a hosting a Harvest Party.

I am not a food blogger, so you won’t see a lot of photos detailing the process or gorgeous layouts of the results. My apologies. But these are VERY good, and have been served at every harvest party we’ve hosted since 2005. My husband favors the chocolate variety, but others prefer the spice, so I highly recommend making both.

You can make the dough a day or two before using it, make what you want to serve fresh, and keep any leftover dough for a few days after. The only special equipment you need is a doughnut cutter and a candy thermometer, but they are inexpensive and don’t take up much space. A single batch makes a baker’s dozen, plus holes, so I always at least double the recipe. Last weekend we had around 60 people over (including littles), and I made six batches of each. There weren’t as many left as I expected.

You’ll need a couple 48 oz. bottles of oil for frying.

And now, the realistic pictures. They aren’t elegant, but they are irresistible.

Unfortunately, I don’t try hard enough.

SPICE DOUGHNUTS

Combine dry ingredients:

2 c. flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp. salt

In separate bowl, combine:

2/3 c. milk
1/4 c. melted butter

In large electric mixer bowl combine and beat 3 minutes, or until thick:

2 eggs
2/3 c. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla

Alternately add flour mixture and milk mixture to egg mixture, beating after each addition just until combined. Stir in:

1 c. flour (total 3 cups per batch)

Cover and chill for at least 2 hours.

Heat oil in a large Dutch oven to 375–watch carefully. Turn dough out onto generously floured surface. Roll or pat dough until it is 1/2-inch thick. Cut dough with floured doughnut cutter, dipping cutter into flour between cuts. Reroll as necessary. Fry doughnuts about 1 minute on each side or until golden, turning once with slotted spoon. Drain on paper towels. Repeat with remaining doughnuts and holes.

CHOCOLATE DOUGHNUTS

Combine dry ingredients:

2 c. flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt

In separate bowl, combine:

2/3 c. milk
1/4 c. melted butter

In large electric mixer bowl combine and beat 3 minutes, or until thick:

2 eggs
2/3 c. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla

Alternately add flour mixture and milk mixture to egg mixture, beating after each addition just until combined. Stir in:

1/4 c. flour
3/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder

Cover and chill for at least 2 hours.

Heat oil in a large Dutch oven to 375–watch carefully. Turn dough out onto generously floured surface. Roll or pat dough until it is 1/2-inch thick. Cut dough with floured doughnut cutter, dipping cutter into flour between cuts. Reroll as necessary. Fry doughnuts about 1 minute on each side, turning once with slotted spoon. Drain on paper towels. Repeat with remaining doughnuts and holes.

What’s a family celebration without special food? Make homemade doughnuts a Reformation Day tradition. I expect that your family and guests will eagerly anticipate next year’s celebration.

How about a hot drink to accompany those doughnuts? Here’s our favorite chai.