Old-Fashioned Sour Cream Cake Donuts
🧾 Ingredients
Dry ingredients
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3½ cups all-purpose flour
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1 cup granulated sugar
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2 tsp baking powder
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1 tsp salt
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½ tsp ground nutmeg (traditional flavor)
Wet ingredients
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2 tbsp butter, softened
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2 large egg yolks
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1 cup full-fat sour cream
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1 tsp vanilla extract
For frying
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Vegetable oil or shortening
🥣 Instructions
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Mix dry ingredients
In a bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg. -
Cream butter & yolks
In a separate bowl, beat butter and egg yolks until smooth. -
Add sour cream & vanilla
Mix until fully combined. -
Combine
Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients.
Mix just until a soft dough forms (do not overmix). -
Chill dough
Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour (this is important). -
Roll & cut
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Roll dough to about ½-inch thickness on a floured surface
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Cut with a donut cutter
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Fry
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Heat oil to 325–330°F (165°C)
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Fry donuts 1–2 minutes per side until golden
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Drain on paper towels
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🍯 Optional Glaze (Very Traditional)
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2 cups powdered sugar
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¼ cup milk
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1 tsp vanilla
Whisk until smooth and dip warm donuts.
⭐ Tips for Perfect Old-Fashioned Donuts
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Dough should be soft, not sticky
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Low frying temperature helps create the signature cracked edges
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Nutmeg is key for that old-school bakery flavor