Easy doughnuts

 Makes: 3 dozen

 3 cups sifted flour
 5 tsp. Baking powder
 6 cups vegetable oil (for frying)
1 1/2  cups milk
 3 Tbsp. Sugar
 2 large egg
 1 stick butter  unsalted, melted
1/2 tsp. Salt
Confectioner's sugar
 Cocoa powder

Direction:

Add the vegetable oil to a large, heavy-bottomed pot. (There should be at least 2 inches of oil in the pot and at least 2 inches between the top of the oil and the top of the pot.) Attach the deep-fry thermometer to the pot and begin heating the oil over medium heat to 350ºF. Line a baking sheet with paper towels. 
In a small bowl, whisk together the milk and the egg.

In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Stir the milk-egg mixture into the dry ingredients, then stir in the melted butter, mixing until a soft dough forms.

Once the oil has reached 350ºF, use a small ice cream scoop to drop about 1 tablespoon scoops of dough into the oil, careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry the doughnut holes, flipping them in the oil, for about 2 minutes or until they're golden brown. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the doughnut holes to the paper towel-lined baking sheet.

While doughnuts are still hot dust them with powder sugar or cocoa powder.