Old-Time Cake Doughnuts

Makes  about 2 dozen

2            tablespoons  unsalted butter , softened
1-1/2      cups sugar  , divided
3            eggs
4            cups all-purpose flour
1            tablespoon baking powder
3            teaspoons ground  cinnamon , divided
1/2         teaspoon salt
1/8         teaspoon ground nutmeg
3/4         cup 2% milk
             Oil for deep-fat frying

1)     In a large bowl  , beat butter  and 1 cup sugar until crumbly  , about 2 minutes  . Add eggs  , one at a time  , beating well after each addition .
2)     Combine the four  , baking powder  , 1 teaspoon  cinnamon  , salt  and nutmeg ; add to butter mixture  alternately  with milk  , beating well after each addition . Cover and refrigerate  for 2 hours .
3)      Turn onto a heavily floured  surface  ; pat  dough to 1/4-inch thickness  . Cut with  a floured  2-1/2-inch  doughnut cutter  . In an electric skillet  or deep fryer  , heat oil to 375* .
4)      Fry doughnuts  , a few at a time  , until golden brown  on both sides  . Drain on paper towels .
5)      Combine remaing sugar  and cinnamon  ; roll warm donuts  in mixture
Want  a little piece of heaven ? These tender  cake doughnuts  are a dream . For a variation , add a little  rum extract or a tablespoon of dark rum for a richer flavor .