The Salvation Army Donuts

This Salvation Army Donuts recipe is based on the original recipe used during both World Wars. Now you can make them in your own kitchen!

This is the official recipe for The Salvation Army Donuts. This is the very same recipe that was used during WWI and WWII. Check out the original recipe here: Original Salvation Army Donuts.

I'm always looking for ways to make donuts at home just like the big boys do whether it's by Krispy Kreme, Dunkin' Donuts or Tim Hortons. Hard to reproduce those donuts at home but this donut recipe comes pretty close. Especially Tim Horton's "Timbits®".

💭 Ingredient Substitution

If you don't have any vegetable shortening on hand you can substitute with butter or margarine. Since this donut recipe calls for very little shortening (1 tablespoon), I recommend using an equal amount of butter or margarine.

💭 Deep Frying Oils

When it comes to Deep Frying food you want to choose an oil that has a high smoke point and neutral in flavor so it won't affect the flavor of whatever you are frying. Vegetable Oil, Corn Oil, Canola Oil and Peanut Oil are some of the more popular and affordable options.

💭 Recipe Tip

When deep frying donuts, actually any food with a batter, it is important to wait until the frying oil gets up to temperature. You also want to remove them from the oil as soon as the batter is browned and let the remaining excess oil to drain.

The shape you make for these donuts does not really matter. I like to make little balls, also called donut holes. Very easy to do by hand or even with a small cookie scoop.

If baking your donuts more of your thing, I suggest you check out my Baked Donuts with Chocolate Glaze or my Baked Pumpkin Donuts with Maple Glaze recipes.

For more great recipes made with Nutmeg and Cinnamon, I suggest you check these recipes out:

📋 What Ingredients do I need

You will need the following ingredients to make the Salvation Army Donuts recipe (see recipe card for quantities): All Purpose Flour, Baking Powder, Vegetable Shortening, White Sugar, Salt, Ground Nutmeg, Ground Cinnamon, Milk and Eggs.

🥣 How to Make The Salvation Army Donuts

In a mixing bowl, combine the flour with the baking powder and set aside.
Cream the shortening, sugar, salt, nutmeg and cinnamon. Add milk and the egg and stir. Add the flour mixture and mix till combined.
Preheat the frying oil to 375°F.
Move the dough to a floured surface and work into a soft dough. Cut the dough into the desired shape and fry in the oil.
Turn the donuts frequently while frying. The fat should be hot enough to give the donuts a rich golden-russet color in about 3 minutes.
While the donuts are still hot, optionally roll the donuts in white sugar, powdered sugar or a cinnamon sugar mixture.