Old-Fashioned Doughnuts – Sweet, Tender & Coated in Sugar

There’s something nostalgic about a batch of homemade old-fashioned doughnuts—crispy on the outside, tender and cakey on the inside, and rolled in sugar while still warm. These classic doughnuts are fried to perfection and taste just like the ones Grandma used to make. With simple pantry ingredients, you can create a treat that feels timeless and oh-so satisfying.

Ingredients

Doughnuts

• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 3 1/2 tbsp butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1 egg
• 6 cups all-purpose flour
• 4 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 3/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• Canola oil, vegetable oil, or melted shortening for frying

Sugar Coating

• 1 cup granulated sugar

Instructions

1. Cream & Mix: Cream together sugar and softened butter. Add milk, egg, 3 cups flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Mix well with an electric mixer. Stir in remaining flour (2 1/2 to 3 cups) to form a soft dough that can be rolled out.
2. Roll & Cut: On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/2-inch thickness. Use a doughnut cutter to cut rounds, flouring between cuts. Gather scraps, re-roll once, and cut more doughnuts.
3. Heat Oil: In a deep fryer or large Dutch oven, heat 1 inch of oil to 375°F. Use a thermometer to monitor temperature.
4. Fry Doughnuts: Fry doughnuts in batches of 3–5 at a time, about 1–1 1/2 minutes per side, turning once or twice until golden brown. Transfer to a paper towel-lined rack to drain.
5. Sugar Coating: Place 1 cup sugar in a shallow dish. Let doughnuts cool for about 1 minute, then roll in sugar while still warm. Return to rack to finish cooling.

Tips & Variations

• Be sure to keep dough thickness at 1/2 inch for the best texture.
• Only re-roll dough scraps once to avoid tough doughnuts.
• Swap sugar coating for cinnamon sugar for extra flavor.
• Add a glaze of powdered sugar and milk instead of rolling in sugar for variety.

Serving Suggestions

Enjoy these doughnuts warm with a cup of coffee or milk. They’re perfect for breakfast, a weekend treat, or a nostalgic dessert that brings back sweet memories.