Old Fashioned Cake Doughnuts

3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
4 tsp.baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 ground nutmeg
2 tbl.vegetable shortening
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup buttermilk
Vegetable oil for frying
Granulated sugar, powdered sugar or cinnamon and sugar for garnish

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and nutmeg. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, cream the shortening and sugar together on medium speed until well blended; add the eggs and vanilla and beat until well mixed.
Alternately stir in the flour mixture with buttermilk to the creamed mixture, stirring only until just mixed. Cover and refrigerate dough for at least 1 hour or overnight.
Preheat oil in a deep-fat fryer or Dutch oven to 375*F (190*C).
On a lightly floured work surface, roll dough to about 3/8-inch-thick. Cut out doughnuts using a floured cutter.
Fry doughnuts until underside is golden brown, turn and brown the other side. Lift doughnuts out using a slotted spoon and drain on paper toweling.
Put granulated sugar, powdered sugar, or cinnamon and sugar into a paper bag. Place warm doughnuts in bag and shake to coat well.
Makes about 36 doughnuts.