This recipe was part of Gloria Yoder's Amish Cook column on June 10, 2024
This is a basic "drop doughnut" that drops all pretenses of fanciness or beauty. In fact, these doughnuts resemble some sold in a local (to me) bakery called an ugly. There are no pastry cutters involved in this, no doughnuts to shape, no elegant glazes to drizzle. But at the end you do get an easy, delicious doughnut.
👍 Here Are Some Great Things About These Drop Doughnuts!
Okay, at first I thought this was just your run-of-the-mill drop-into-hot-fat doughnut, but this recipe is a step above. Here are some things I like about this doughnut:
- These hold up well long after they leave the fryer! I have had some homemade doughnuts that within 10 minutes of them being out of the fryer, they taste bland and dry. These doughnuts taste moist and fresh hours later.
- Store in a sealed container and they'll taste fresh for a day or two!
- No doughnut cutter necessary, just a spoon.
- If you get impatient and don't want to make the doughnuts small, make them larger! (Just fry longer).
📋 Step-by-Step Drop Doughnuts
The recipe is easy to follow.
This is our small bowl for mixing the egg, sour cream, etc. I had my daughters basically do this whole recipe, other than the dropping dough into the hot oil.
I have a Mason jar that has measurement marks on it, so we used that for the flour and other dry ingredients. And, yes, my daughters make a bigger mess than I do. But that's part of the fun.
These are delightful doughnuts. I fried them in a mix of canola oil and olive oil, which is fine. I think you can use whatever oil or shortening you have on hand.
The doughnuts will get golden immediately after you drop them in the oil, but resist the urge to take them out after only 2 minutes in because, well, depending on how big your drop doughnuts are, that will determine the time. If they are a doughnut hole size than 2 minutes might be enough. But if they are any larger, add minutes and just let the outside get darker and darker. We cut one in half after had it out and already rolled in powdered sugar and it just wasn't done inside, so I put it back in the oil for another two minutes and then it was done. So don't worry about overcooking, worry more about undercooking. I think if you aren't as used to frying, it's easy to get spooked by the sizzle and oil and speed, but take your time.
We dredged the doughnuts (with tongs because they will be hot) in melted butter and then rolled in powdered sugar and then cinnamon. We decided later than rolling them in melted chocolate would have been a nice tough too.
Gloria says these doughnuts are best warm, and I agree. So if you want an easy doughnut without having to run to Krispy Kreme, these are worth a try!
🍩More Amish Doughnut Recipes
Doughnuts are a staple on Amish farms, a sweet treat that is irresistible. Here are some recipes:
Lard? These really are delicious!
Mrs. Chupp's Homemade Doughnuts
These are so good!
Donuts that are baked, not fried!
You can enjoy these any time of year, but autumn is best for pumpkin!
🖨️ Full Recipe
Easy Delicious Amish-Style Drop Doughnuts
Ingredients
- ½ cup mashed potatoes
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 egg, beaten
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 ½ cup flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
Instructions
- n a bowl combine first five ingredients.
- Next mix together all dry ingredients then stir into potato mixture.
- Drop by tablespoons in hot lard, and deep fry in hot oil or lard for a few minutes or until golden brown.
- When done roll in powdered sugar. Best served warm.
Gainor Hillegass
What a scare to see that spider, and I admire your deference to it. Mom taught us to ignore bugs and they go away. I grew up in an old PA farmhouse and had bats, rats, mice, plenty of insects - including subterranean termites that built mud tubular towers in the cellar to the wooden first floor. Here in Tampa, FL, I have possums getting into my house! They chewed or clawed through the wood paneling in the dining room from below my mobile home. I also have the subterranean and dry wood termites. Costly fixes! Thank you for the doughnut recipes. We lived in a Mennonite farming area and got doughnut recipes from our neighbors! Mom made the Fastnacht ones every year!