• 2 3/4 cups all purpose flour 
• 3/4 teaspoon salt 
• 3 teaspoons baking powder 
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg 
• 3 tablespoons shortening 
• 2/3 cup sugar 
• 2 eggs 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla 
• 1/2 cup milk 
• 1 quart vegetable oil 

Stir first four ingredients together. 
Cream shortening with half of the sugar. 
Beat the eggs until light and add remaining sugar gradually, beating between additions; combine shortening and egg mixture with vanilla. 
Add dry ingredients alternately with milk to make a dough that is soft but not sticky. 
Cover bowl and chill 1 hour. 
Press or roll dough on floured board to 1/4 inch thickness, cut with floured doughnut cutter. 
Heat vegetable oil in deep fryer to 375 F. 
Fry doughnuts until golden brown; turn to do other side -- takes about 1 to 2 minutes on each side. 

Yield: 2 dozen