Spiced Cake Doughnuts

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup shortening
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 5 cups 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 apple
• 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

1. 1

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

2. 2

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

3. 3

   In a small saucepan, bring brown sugar and butter to a boil. Cook and stir for 1 minute or until slightly thickened. Pour into a small mixing 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.