Potato Donuts Aka Tater Nuts

• For the donuts
• medium idaho potatoes, peeled↗2
• all-purpose flour↗2 1⁄2 - 3 cups
• large egg↗1
• potato cooking water (divided use)3⁄4 cup plus 2 tablespoons

  divided use

• sugar↗1⁄4 cup
• butter↗2 tablespoons
• salt↗1⁄2 teaspoon
• active dry yeast↗1 1⁄4 teaspoons
• ground mace1⁄2 teaspoon
• freshly grated nutmeg1⁄8 teaspoon
• lard or oil, for deep-frying↗
• For the glaze
• whole milk↗1⁄4 cup
• powdered sugar↗2 cups
• teaspoon vanilla↗1

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Boil the potatoes until fork tender. Set aside the cooking liquid. Push the potatoes through a food mill or mash by hand, leaving no lumps. Measure out 3/4 cup of mashed potatoes.

2. 2

   In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the mashed potatoes with 1/2 cup of flour and the egg.

3. 3

   In a small pot, heat the 3/4 cup of potato water, sugar, butter, and salt over low heat until the butter has melted. Stir this mixture into the potato mixture and blend until smooth.

4. 4

   Dissolve the yeast in the remaining 2 tablespoons of warm potato water. Add to the potato mixture. Mix in the mace and nutmeg and mix thoroughly.

5. 5

   Add remaining flour a little at a time, with your mixer on low and fitted with the dough hook, until a stiff dough forms. Continue kneading until smooth and elastic.

6. 6

   Remove dough to a greased bowl and place in a warm spot to rise until doubled in bulk, about one hour.

7. 7

   Turn the dough onto a floured surface and roll to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut the dough with a floured biscuit or donut cutter. (I find this dough to be pretty soft, so I use a biscuit cutter since it's easier to move the full circle around than it is to move around the donut shape.).

8. 8

   Cover and let rise until doubled in bulk, about 45 minutes.

9. 9

   Heat a deep skillet or pot with 2 inches of oil to 375 degrees. Fry the donuts in batches (don't overcrowd the pan), flipping as needed until golden brown on both sides.

10. 10

    Drain a paper towel lined plate.

11. 11

    Heat the milk in a small saucepan until warm. Remove from the heat and stir in the powdered sugar and vanilla. Whisk together to form a glaze. Dunk the warm donuts in the glaze. Let sit for 5 minutes to set.