Spiced Cake Doughnuts

I found a recipe today from Taste of Home to make Spiced Cake Doughnuts.  Having never made doughnuts before, I was really excited to make these.  The kids and I got right to work.

Spiced Cake Doughnuts

Ingredients:

1/4 Cup Shortening

1 Cup Sugar

3 Eggs

1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

5 Cups All-purpose Flour

3 teaspoons Baking Powder

2 teaspoons Salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground Cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground Nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon ground mace

1/2 cup Buttermilk

1 Cup Grated Peeled Apples

Oil for deep-fat frying

Browned Butter Frosting:

1/2 Cup Packed Brown Sugar

3 Tablespoons Butter

1/4 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream

1-3/4 Cups Confectioners' Sugar

Colored Sprinkles

Directions:

In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy.  Beat in eggs and vanilla.  Combine the flour, baking powder, salt, baking soda,  cinnamon, nutmeg and mace; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition.  Fold in apples.  Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/2-in. thickness.  Cut with a floured 2-1/2 inch doughnut cutter.  In an electric skillet or deep-fat fryer, heat oil to 375 degrees.  Fry doughnuts, a few at a time, until golden brown on both sides.  Drain on paper towels.

In a small saucepan, bring brown sugar and butter to a boil.  Cook and stir for 1 minute or until lightly thickened.  Pour into a small bowl; let stand for 10 minutes.  Add cream; beat until smooth.  Gradually add confectioners' sugar, 1/4 cup at a time, beating well after each addition until frosting achieves desired consistency.  Frost doughnuts; top with sprinkles.  Yield:  22 doughnuts.

These doughnuts were a big hit at my house!  For me, the frosting was the best part.  What a great Fall treat!