3/4 c sugar 2 1/2 c flour
1/3 ts salt 1 ts baking soda
1 ea egg 3/4 c buttermilk
1 ts vanilla 1 c powdered sugar
1 tb lard or butter
12 servings
Beat sugar, salt and egg together.  Add vanilla and fat, and cream
  into sugar.  In a separate bowl, combine flour, soda and buttermilk.
  Stir two mixtures together.  Place on floured surface and flatten to
  1/4-inch.  Cut into 4-inch rounds and cut out 1-inch centers.
  Drop into hot oil in a skillet, and brown on each side.  Drain on
  paper towels.  Coat warm donuts with powdered sugar, if desired.
  Makes 1 batch.