These delicious treats are best eaten when fresh and hot.

These doughnuts have a similar texture to cake doughnuts, but they’re made with mashed potatoes or potato starch instead of flour. This makes them slightly lighter on the inside. Sometimes referred to as a Spudnut, these doughnuts were introduced in the mid-1900s, with a chain of Spudnut shops spreading across the United States. Today, the chain no longer exists but a few dozen shops have kept the name.

Original recipe yields 48 servings

Ingredients

4 potatoes, peeled ⅓ cup margarine, melted 2 cups white sugar 3 eggs 1 cup buttermilk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 5 ½ cups all-purpose flour 4 teaspoons baking powder 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 1 quart vegetable oil for frying

Directions

Step 1 Wash and peal potatoes. If using large potatoes cut them in half. Place potatoes in a medium sauce pan covered with water. Cook over medium heat until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain, cool, and mash.

Step 2 In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 1/2 cup mashed potatoes with butter or margarine, eggs, buttermilk and vanilla; beat until smooth. In another bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add flour mixture to the potato mixture; stirring until well combined. Refrigerate batter for 1 hour.

Step 3 Fill a 2 to 4 quart sauce pan 1 to 2 inches deep with vegetable oil and heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 4 Form the chilled batter in 1 tablespoon size balls. Use a spoon to carefully slide the potato balls into the hot oil. Let cook until brown, turn, and cook opposite side. Remove from oil, briefly drain on paper towels, and roll in powdered sugar. Serve hot.