Spiced Apple Cake Doughnuts

These yummy treats have become a fall tradition of ours! Serve warm with spiced cider! (We actually only use our fryer once a year just for these...)

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 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 cup confectioners' sugar

Colored sprinkles (optional)

In 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.

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

In 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.

Yield: 22 doughnuts