‘No-rise’ Easter Doughnuts

Doughnuts: Combine the flour, baking powder, salt, all the spices, currants and the caster sugar in a bowl. Whisk the butter, zest, milk and egg together and stir into the dry ingredients to make a thick dough.

Roll spoonfuls of the dough in the palm of your hands and place on a lined tray or just scoop out with two teaspoons for a more rustic look. Dust your hands lightly in flour if they’re a bit sticky. You should have about 20.

Cinnamon sugar: Combine the sugar and cinnamon in a shallow dish.

To cook: Put 6cm of vegetable oil in a deep, small to medium-sized saucepan and heat to 160°C on a sugar thermometer or until a piece of bread dropped into the oil turns golden in 30 seconds.

Working in batches, carefully lower the donuts into the oil and cook for 3 minutes, gently stirring for even browning. Don’t overcrowd the pan, as the oil temperature will drop rapidly and the doughnuts will be heavy.

Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen towels. Immediately roll in the cinnamon sugar to coat. Keep warm in a low oven until all the donuts have been cooked.

To serve: Place in a bowl and serve with custard if desired. Makes about 20 mini donuts.

Cook’s note: I like to use a deep, 14cm wide saucepan for cooking the doughnuts. This way you don’t have to use and discard a huge volume of oil. If making ahead, place the cooked sugared doughnuts in a shallow roasting dish and reheat in a 160°C oven for a few minutes until warm.